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Symptoms of Pesticide Poisoning

You should be aware of the early signs and symptoms of poisoning. It is important to remove the person from the source of exposure quickly. Remove contaminated clothing and wash off any chemical which has soaked through. You may save a life.

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Pesticide Poisoning or Not?

The symptoms of pesticide poisoning are similar to those of other types of poisoning and of other diseases. Heat exhaustion, food poisoning, asthma, and other illnesses are sometimes confused with pesticide poisoning. Just because a person becomes ill after using or being around pesticides is not proof that he is poisoned.

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The symptoms of poisoning described here may occur in a person who has been suddenly exposed to large quantities of a toxic material. They may also occur in a person who has been continuously exposed to smaller quantities of toxic material over longer periods of time. If the symptoms appear, call your doctor and tell him what pesticide was involved.

Kinds of Poisoning

Acute poisoning is the severe poisoning which occurs after exposure to a single dose of pesticide. The appearance of symptoms may be sudden and dramatic or they may be delayed.

Chronic poisoning is the poisoning which occurs as a result of repeated, small, non-lethal doses over a long period of time. Many symptoms may appear, such as nervousness, slowed reflexes, irritability, or a general decline in health. Some test animals are unable to reproduce normally after repeated exposure to pesticides.

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Medical Doctors Should Be Warned Ahead of Time

Many medical doctors may not be well informed as to the symptoms and treatment of pesticide poisoning. This is due to the few cases which they treat. Pesticide poisoning symptoms are similar to those of other illnesses and poisonings. You, the pesticide applicator, should tell your doctor which chemicals you use. Then he will know the symptoms and treatment, and can have the antidotes on hand.

Unfortunately, all pesticide poisoning symptoms are not the same. Each chemical family (i.e., organophosphates, carbamates, chlorinated hydrocarbons) can attack the human body in a different way. However, you should be aware of the general symptoms of pesticide poisoning.

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General Symptoms

Mild Poisoning or Early Symptoms of Acute Poisoning headache, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, restlessness, nervousness, perspiration, nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite, loss of weight, thirst, moodiness, soreness in joints, skin irritation, eye irritation, irritation of the nose and throat.

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Moderate Poisoning or Early Symptoms of Acute Poisoning nausea, diarrhea, excessive saliva, stomach cramps, excessive perspiration, trembling, no muscle coordination, muscle twitches, extreme weakness, mental confusion, blurred vision, difficulty in breathing, cough, rapid pulse, flushed or yellow skin, weeping.

Severe or Acute Poisoning fever, intense thirst, increased rate of breathing, vomiting, uncontrollable muscle twitches, pinpoint pupils, convulsions, inability to breathe, unconsciousness.

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Chemical Families

Pesticides which are chemically similar to one another are often grouped together into "families." Each pesticide in a family attacks a pest in a similar way. Treatment and antidotes for poisoning are also the same within each family. It is important that the doctor know which chemical family is involved. The following chart identifies the symptoms of pesticide poisoning in the major chemical families.

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If you are in doubt whether or not poisoning has occurred, let your doctor decide!

Effects of Pesticide Chemicals on the Human Body
Chemical
Family 		Type of
Pesticide 		Action on
Human System 		Symptoms
Internal
Exposure 		Symptoms
External
Exposure 		Symptoms
Chronic
Exposure
Organo-
phosphates
diazinonC
SpectracideT 		Insecticides, acaricides Inhibits acetylcholi-
nesterase (an
enzyme) in the
tissues 		Headache,
dizziness, weak-
ness, shaking,
nausea, stomach
cramps, diarrhea, sweating 		Minimal rashes
but readily ab-
sorbed through
the skin 		Loss of appetite,
weakness,
weight loss, and
general feeling of
sickness
Carbamates
carbaryl C
Sevin T 		Insecticides
acaricides 		Reversible changes
in acetylcholines-
terase enzyme of
tissues 		Headache,
dizziness, weak-
ness, shaking,
nausea, stomach
cramps, diarrhea, sweating 		Minimal rashes
but readily ab-
sorbed through
the skin 		Loss of appetite
weakness,
weight loss, and
general feeling of
sickness
Organo-
chlorines
(Chlorinated Hydrocarbons)
methoxychlor C
Marlate T 		Insecticides,
acaricides
(HCB is a
fungicide) 		Disrupt function
of nervous system,
mainly the brain 		Headache,
dizziness, weak-
ness, shaking,
nausea, excita-
bility, disor-
ientation 		Minimal rashes
but readily ab-
sorbed through
the skin 		Some buildup in
the fat tissues.
May cause nerv-
ousness, weak-
ness, and shaking
Pentachlo-
rophenol
penta C
Pentacon T 		Herbicides, defoliants, molluscicides, germ-
icides,fungi-
cides, and wood preservatives 		Toxic to liver, kidneys, and nervous system Headache,
weakness,
nausea,
excessive
sweating 		Highly irritating
to skin, eyes,
nose, and throat 		Weight loss,
weakness,
anemia
Chloro-
phenoxy
Pesticides
2,4-D C
Weed-B-Gon T 		Herbicides Irritant to lung,
stomach and in-
testinal linings.
Injure liver, kidney,
and nervous
system 		Prompt vomit-
ing, burning
sensation in
stomach, dia-
rrhea, muscle
twitching 		Moderately
irritating to eyes,
skin, and lungs 		Do not remain
in body; passed
out within hours
or days
Paraquat
and Diquat 		Herbicides Injure skin, nails,
cornea, liver,
kidney, linings of
stomach and intes-
tine, and respiratory
system 		Burning pain,
nausea, vomiting,
and diarrhea 		Irritates and injures
skin and nails
Thiocarbamates
and
Dithiocarbamates
Zineb T 		Fungicides Low human toxicity Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weak-ness, and nasal stuffiness Irritating to skin, eyes, nose, and throat
Pyrethrins
and Pyreth-
roids
Prentox T
Ectiban T 		Very low human
toxicity 		Slight toxic reaction
Arsenical
Pesticides 		Rodenticides,
insecticides,
acaricides,
marine anti-
fouling com-
pounds, desi-
ccants, herbi-
cides, fungicides 		Toxic to liver,
kidney, brain,
bone marrow, and
nervous system 		Headache,
burning stomach
pain, vomiting,
diarrhea, dizzi-
ness. Garlic odor
on breath and
feces 		Swelling of
mouth and
throat, irritating
to nose, throat,
and eyes 		Accumulates
in body. Chronic
headaches, dizzi-
ness, stomach-
aches, salivation,
low fever, garlic
breath
Coumarins,
Indandiones, and
other Anti-coagulants
warfarinC 		Prevents blood from clotting Reaction if low accidental dose ingested
Sodium
Fluoroacetate
Compound 1080 T 		Rodenticides Extremely toxic.
Affects heart tissue
and brain 		Stomach pain,
vomiting,
hallucination,
nervousness 		Minimal
Zinc
Phosphide
Phosdrin T 		Rodenticides Highly toxic; severe
intestinal irritation;
severe injury to
liver, kidneys,
nervous system
and heart 		Intense nausea
stomach pain,
excitement, chills,
cough 		Minimal
Yellow
phosphorus 		Rodenticides Highly toxic; blood
system injury;
injury to liver,
nervous system,
heart, and kidneys 		Breath has garlic
odor; feces may
glow and smoke
from phosphorus
fumes; vomiting
and diarrhea;
burning pain in
throat, stomach,
and intestines 		Dermal
exposure
usually low;
irritates nose
and throat
Strychnine
and Crimidine 		Rodenticides Acts directly on cells in the brain and spinal cord to cause convulsions Blue skin color; violent convulsions Minimal
Red Squill
Dethdiet T 		Rodenticides Low toxicity Prompt vomit-
ing and nausea 		Minimal Excreted rapidly;
not retained in
body
ANTU and
Norbormide 		Rodenticides Selectively toxic
to rats; toxic to
humans only in
huge suicidal doses 		Blue skin, labored
breathing 		Minimal
Sulfur Dioxide, For-
maldehyde,
Chloropicrin,
and
Acrolein 		Fumigants Strong irritant of
lungs and throat 		Headache, dizzi-
ness, nausea,
wheezing, cough 		Severe irritation
of eyes, nose, and
throat. Blisters
on skin 		 
Methyl Bromide, Ethylene Oxide and Propylene Oxide Fumigants Serious injury to lungs; injures nervous system Coughing of frothy fluid; severe shortness of breath, drowsiness, shaking, weakness Irritates eyes, nose, and throat Lack of coordination
Halocarbons
ethylene dibromideC 		Fumigants Injures heart
muscles; also
injures lungs,
brain, liver and
kidneys 		Shock, drowsi-
ness, shaking
weakness 		Irritates eyes,
nose, throat.
Blisters and
redness on
the skin 		Liver damage,
weight loss,
and jaundice
Carbon
disulfide 		Fumigants Injury to nervous
system 		Headache, dizzi-
ness, nausea, and
disorientation 		Irritates eyes,
nose, and throat.
Blisters and red-
ness on skin 		Pain, tingling and
weakness of arms
and legs; loss of
mental functions
Phosphine Fumigants Injures lungs, liver,
kidneys, and
nervous system 		Weakness,
shaking, vomit-
ing, cough, diffi-
culty in breathing,
intense thirst 		Irritates eyes,
nose, and throat 		Pain in eyes and
nose; nosebleeds;
abdominal pain
Metal
Phosphides
aluminum
phosphideC
PhostoxinT 		Fumigants Injures lungs, liver,
kidneys, heart and
nervous system 		Nausea and
vomiting followed
by weakness,
shaking, and
dizziness 		Irritants  
Sulfuryl
Flouride
VikaneT 		Fumigants Injures lungs and
kidneys 		Muscle twitching,
convulsions 		Irritant Injury to kidneys
and lungs
Hydrogen
Cyanide,
Acrylonitrile, and
Sodium
Cyanide 		Fumigants,
rodenticides 		Injury to brain
and heart tissues 		Headache, nausea
nausea, constric-
tion of throat,
dizziness, nervous-
ness. Sudden un-
consciousness 		Irritant  
4-Amino pyridine
AvitrolT 		Avicides Disrupts nervous system functions Thirst, nausea, dizziness, weakness, excessive sweating
Chlordi-
meform
acaron C 		Insecticides,
miticides 		Bladder injury Abdominal and
back pain; pain-
ful urination;
blood in urine 		Skin rash; sweet
taste in mouth
Copper salts and Organic Complexes
copper sulfateC 		Fungicides Injures intestinal lining, brain, liver, kidneys, and blood Prompt vomiting; burning pain in chest; diarrhea, headache, sweating Irritates skin and eyes; damages mucous membranes
Cyclohexi-
mide
Acti-dioneT 		Fungicides Irritates stomach
and intestine;
injury to kidneys,
brain lining, and
nervous system 		Excitement,
tremors, sali-
vation, diarrhea 		Minimal
Endothall Herbicides,
algicides 		Damages heart,
blood vessels,
nervous system,
and intestional
lining. 		Convulsions,
shock, lack of
coordination 		Irritating to eyes,
skin, and mucous
membranes
Nicotine
Sulfate
Black Leaf 40 T 		Insecticides Injures nervous
system 		Nausea, headache,
diarrhea, dizzi-
ness, shaking, ab-
dominal pain, lack
of coordination,
sweating, sali-
vation. 		Minimal but readily
absorbed through
the skin
Phenylmercuric Salts
phenylmercury acetate C
Agrosan T 		Fungicides Injures nervous
system and
kidneys 		Delirium, muscle weakness,lack of coordination Minimal Weakness and lack of coordination in arms and legs; difficulty in talking and swallowing
Sodium
Chlorate
Atratol T 		Herbicides,
defoliants 		Injury to intestines;
restlessness
tinal lining,
nervous system,
and kidneys 		Swelling of
mouth and throat;
pain in esophagus,
stomach, and intes- 		Irritant
Acetamides
butachlor C
MacheteT 		Herbicides Irritants Moderately
irritating to skin
and eyes
Acetanilides
alachlorC
LassoT 		Herbicides Irritant Mild irritants; propa-
chlor is a skin irritant
and sensitizer
Alumino
Flouride Salt
cryoliteC
KryocideT 		Insecticide Irritant Slight irritant
of eyes, nose,
and skin
Bensoic and
and Benzilic
Derivatives
chlorambenC
AmibenT 		Insecticides,
herbicides 		Irritant Irritating to skin and
respiratory tract
Benzonit-
riles
bromoxynilC
BuctrilT 		Fungicides,
Herbicides 		Irritant Moderately
irritating to
lungs 		Moderately
irritating to
skin
Dithiocar-
bamates
mancozebC
Dithane M-45T 		Herbicides,
fungicides 		Do not inhibit
cholinesterase;
mild irritants. 		Mild irritant to
skin, eyes, nose,
and throat
Carbanilate
prophamC
Chem-HoeT 		Herbicides Irritant Irritant and skin
sensitizer
Dicarboxi-
mides
captanC 		Fungicides Irritant Skin irritant
Dinitroani-
line Com-
pounds
trifluralinC
TreflanT 		Herbicides Irritant Slightly to moder-
ately irritating to
skin, eyes, nose,
and throat
Oxadiazola
oxadiazonC
RonstarT 		Herbicides Irritant Irritating to skin
and eyes
Picolinic
Acid
triclopyrC
GarlonT 		Herbicides Irritant Irritates lungs Irritating to skin,
eyes, nose, and
and throat
Pyridazi-
none
maleic hydrazide C
RetardT 		Growth
retardant 		Irritant Slightly irritating.
Phosphonomethyl Glycine
glyphosate C
Roundup T 		Herbicides Irritant Irritates lungs Irritates eyes
Thiadiazin(ol)
betazonC
BasagranT 		Herbicides,
fungicides 		Irritant Vomiting, diarrhea,
shaking, and weak-
ness caused by bentazon herbicides 		Moderately
irritating to skin,
eyes, nose, and throat
Triazines
atrazineC
AAtrexT 		Herbicides Irritant Mildly irritating
to skin, eyes,
nose, and
throat
Uracils
bromacilC
Hyvar T 		Herbicides Irritant Irritating
to lungs 		Irritating to skin,
eyes, nose, and
throat
Urea

diuronC
Karmex T 		Herbicides,
insecticides 		Irritant Moderately
irritating to skin,
eyes, nose, and
throat

C = Common name
T = Trade name

Table modified based on similar table in "Applying Pesticides Correctly", USDA, USEPA, written by Sally McDonald.

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Disclaimer: Please read the pesticide label prior to use. The information contained at this web site is not a substitute for a pesticide label. Trade names used herein are for convenience only; no endorsement of products is intended, nor is criticism of unnamed products implied. Most of this information is historical in nature and may no longer be applicable.
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