US EPA

7428019 

Journal Article 

Review 

Cholinesterase-inhibiting insecticide toxicity 

Fuortes, LJ; Ayebo, AD; Kross, BC; , 

1993 

Yes 

American Family Physician
ISSN: 0002-838X
EISSN: 1532-0650 

47 

7 

1613-1620 

English 

8503347 

WOS:A1993LD14500008 

Organophosphate toxicity can be fatal. It accounts for almost 40 percent of all insecticide- and pesticide-related illnesses reported by the American Association of Poison Control Centers. Skin contamination is the most important route of occupational exposure. Carbamate insecticides exhibit a similar mechanism of acute toxicity. Organophosphate pesticides act as irreversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, while carbamate pesticides produce reversible effects. The inhibition of acetylcholinesterase causes accumulation of acetylcholine at nerve endings, resulting in a cholinergic or hypersecretory syndrome. Persons who are exposed to organophosphates must be admitted to the hospital for careful observation. Symptoms should be treated with atropine, and most patients should also receive pralidoxime, a cholinesterase-regenerating drug. 

acetylcholinesterase; anticonvulsive agent; atropine; carbamate insecticide; diazepam; muscarinic receptor; nicotinic receptor; organophosphate insecticide; pralidoxime; clinical feature; convulsion; environmental exposure; enzyme inhibition; human; intoxication; intravenous drug administration; laboratory test; neurotoxicity; occupational exposure; occupational toxicology; pesticide spraying; priority journal; review; toxicity testing; toxin analysis; Antidotes; Atropine; Cholinesterase Inhibitors; Cholinesterases; Environmental Monitoring; Erythrocyte Count; Human; Insecticides; Occupational Exposure; Poisoning; Pralidoxime Compounds; Risk Factors; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't