The need of the herbals has become even more pressing for human survival in the present day polluted atmosphere where dangers of slow chemical poisoning are ever present. The whole world is becoming aware of the fact that such slow chemical poisoning due to ever-increasing environmental pollution may bring extinction of human race very soon.. There is a flood of information regarding the dangerous levels of Sulfur dioxide, Hydrocarbons, CFC etc. at dangers levels throughout the world. However, nothing much is being done to stop the environmental pollution. People are also not much aware as to how exactly such gaseous pollution is going to harm and kill them.
Another far more serious and immediate source of slow chemical poisoning is increasing use of pesticides in agriculture. Developing countries are faced with the acute need of increasing agricultural output to meet the increasing populations. The public awareness in these countries regarding dangers of pesticide pollution is extremely poor.
The modern medicines are ineffective against long-term health problems of human beings caused by such chemical poisoning of the environment and consequently the human body. It is gradually being recognized that only by use of natural herbs and herbal preparations can we deal with these problems.
Health Hazards of Pesticide
Pesticides have become a potential hazard of the manufacturer, consumer and the environment. Air, water and food have become contaminated with pesticides as result of their extensive misuse. The risks to humans may be short-term or long-term, depending on the exposure period to these chemicals. The main groups of pesticides of concern are insecticides, herbicides, fungicides and a few soil fumigants. Agent Orange, a herbicide that is mixture of 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T was used extensively as a defoliant in the Vietnam War in the late sixties. People who were residing around the sprayed area at that time and their children still suffer from the adverse health effects. Mothers either have stillbirths or give birth to spastics or babies without limbs.
In India, 147 pesticides are registered for use at present and the tolerance limits of only 50 have been evaluated. Therefore, we are at risk not only from the commonly used pesticides whose tolerance limits are known but also from a wide spectrum of pesticides that enter the market and our food commodities without their maximum permissible limits being known. In the present scenario, a multidisciplinary integrated approach involving toxicology, epidemiology, physiology and behavioral sciences is essential for the proper assessment of human hazards related to pesticides exposure.
Poisoning due to pesticides can be occupational e.g. in case of workers involved in the manufacturing process, sprayers or farmers. It may also be accidental or intentional as in attempted suicide cases. The general population is exposed to small quantities of various types of pesticide. Even through the daily diet. In 1958, Kerala had the first reported case of pesticides poisoning where 100 people died due to parathion poisoning. The cases of pesticide poisoning have been reported from the states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Gujarat, Lack of systematic and authentic data on poisoning is a serious hindrance in assessing the impact of pesticide poisoning.
Table-1. Some common illness effects and diseases caused by pesticide.
|
Pesticides |
Suspected Diseases/ Effects |
Used in India |
|
DDT |
Chronic liver damage – cirrhosis and Chronic hepatitis, endocrine & Reproductive disorders, immuno-suppression, Cytogenic effects, breast cancer, Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Polyneuritis |
Yes |
|
HCH |
Chronic liver damage- cirrhosis and chronic Hepatitis, endocrine & reproductive disorders, Allergic dermatitis, breast cancer, Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma |
Yes |
|
Carbanyl |
Within the stomach produces N-nitrocarbanyl that is well- known carcinogen, Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, brain cancer |
Yes |
|
2,4-D |
Twofold excess of all cancers in Swedish railway workers, Non- Hodgkin’s Lymphoma |
Yes |
|
2,4,5- T (Agent Orange) |
Soft tissues sarcoma, reproductive disorders |
Yes |
|
MCPA |
Soft tissues sarcoma, prostate cancer |
Yes |
|
Triazines |
Cancer of testes |
Yes |
|
ANTU |
Urinary bladder cancer |
Yes |
|
Paraquat |
Parkinson’s & Alzheimer’s diseases |
Yes |
|
Chlordane |
Brain cancer, Non- Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Reproductive disorders, Blood dyscariasis |
Yes |
|
DBCP |
Reproductive disorders |
Yes |
|
Heptachlor |
Reproductive disorders, blood dyscariasis |
No |
|
Lindane |
Non- Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Brain cancer, Lung cancer |
No |
|
Aldrin |
Lung cancer, liver diseases |
Yes |
|
Dialdrin |
Liver diseases, Parkinson’s & Alzheimer’s diseases |
Yes |
|
Diazinon |
Non- Hodgkin’s Lymphoma |
Yes |
|
Malathion |
Non- Hodgkin’s Lymphoma |
Yes |
|
Nicotine |
Non- Hodgkin’s Lymphoma |
No |
|
Ziram |
Dermal sensitivity reactions. Itching, erythema, Burning sensation |
Yes |
|
Phosphine |
Cytogenic effects |
No |
|
Pentachlorophenol |
Aplastic anemia |
Yes |
Table-2. Health effects of pesticide poisoning.
|
Pesticide |
Health effect |
|
Organochlorines Aldrin, Chlordane, Heptachlor, DDT |
Nervousness, headache, dizziness |
|
nausea |
HCH, Lindane, Dicofol, Endosulphan |
|
Vomiting, trembling, tremors and diarrhea |
Carbamates Carbanyl, Aldicarb, Thiobencarb |
|
Giddiness, headache, nausea, diarrhea, blurred vision, muscular twitching, convulsions |
Propoxure |
|
Same as above |
Organophosphates Monocrotophos, Oxydemeton, Phorate, Phosalone, Quinalphos, Temephos, DDVP, Phosphamidon |
|
Same as Carbamates |
Synthetic pyrethroids Cyhalothrin, Cypermethrin,Deltamethrin |
|
Irritation of oral/nasal mucosae, salivation |
Fenvalerate, Fluvalinate, Fenpropathrin |
|
Convulsive seizures and marked facial sensation |
Mercury compounds PMA, MEMC Tingling of fingers, fingers-tips, tongue may occur, headache, loss of peripheral vision. Contact with skin cause blisters or dermatitis |
|
Fumigants Ethylene bromide, methyl bromide |
Respiratory irritation & damage to lungs |
|
Ethylene dibromide-carbon tetrachloride |
Dermatitis, blistering of the skin along with marked corneal ulceration, dizziness, convulsions and respiratory failure,itching |
|
Dinitro compounds DNOC, PCP, Binapacryl |
Yellow staining of skin, tremors |
|
Dinitrophenol, Dinoseb |
Increased respiratory rate sweating, nausea, restlessness and rapid heart beat |
|
Copper compounds Copper oxychloride, Copper sulphate |
Gastrointestinal and renal manifestations |
|
Anticoagulants-Rodenticides Brodifacoum, Warfarin, Bromadiolone |
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bleeding from nose, gums, coma |
|
Coumochlor, Chlorophocione |
Same as above |
|
Bipyridyniums Diquat, paraquat |
Irritation of mouth and throat with nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain |
|
Zinc phoshide and aluminium |
Vomiting, cough, liver and kidney failure |
|
Phosphide, Nicotine |
Severe gastrointestinal problems |
|
Arsenic compounds |
Neurological manifestations |
Table-3. Clinical Symptoms of Acute Poisoning with OP Pesticides.
|
Target Site |
Clinical Manifestation |
|
Muscarinic synapses |
Respiratory problems, increased bronchial secretion, dyspnea, lung edema, hypotension, heart spasm, vomiting, abdominal pain, cramps, increased, salivation, gastrointestinal hypermotility, diarrhea, mioisis, blurred vision, increased lacrimation, excessive perspiration, involuntary, defecation and urination |
|
Nicotinic Synapses |
Voluntary muscles-cramps, muscular twitches, fasciculation and paralysis, tachycardia, hypertension |
|
Central nervous System |
Restlessness, Irritability, anxiety, confusion, dizziness, tension, insomnia, ataxia, coma, convulsions, respiratory depression, cardiac block and arrest. |
Table-4. Antidotes for the Treatment of Pesticide poisoning.
|
Pesticide |
Antidotes |
|
Orgnochlorines Aldrin, Chlrodane, Heptachlor |
Phenobarbital 0.7g/day or pentobarbital |
|
DDT, HCH, Lindane, Dicofol |
Do not give morphine, theophyline or Amninophyline |
|
Endosulphan |
Same as above |
|
Carbamates Carbanyl, Aldicar |
Inject Atropine sulphate 2-4 mg for an adult (0.04-0.08 mg./kg body weight for children) for 24 to 48 hours. Convulsions and anxiety can be treated with 5 to 10 mg of diazepam injected intramuscularly. While keeping the patient fully atropinised, administer also asoxime to adults or 15 mg/kg body weight for children. Repeat after 1-2 hours |
|
Thiobincarb, Propoxur |
Same as above |
|
Organophosphates Malathion, Methyl parathin, Acephate, Monocrotophos, Oxydemeton, Phorate, Phosalone, Quinalphos, Temephos, DDVP, Phosphamidon |
Same as Carbamates |
|
Synthetic pyrethroids Cyhalothrin, Cypermethrin |
Perform gastric lavage followed by saline cathartic wash with sodium sulphate solution. Control seizures with injectable diazapam or barbiturates |
|
Deltamethrin, Fenvalerate, Fluvalinate, Fenpropathrin |
Same as above |
|
Mercury compounds PAM, MEMC |
Inject freshly prepared 100 to 200 ml of sodium formaldehydes sulphoxylate solution intravenously. Give 100 ml of 10 % calcium gluconate solution intravenously for muscular spasm |
|
Fumigants Ethylene bromide, Methyl Bromide |
Administer artificial respiration |
|
Ethlene dibromide-Carbon tetrachloride mixture |
Administer Aminophylline 1mg/kg. (I.V.) slowly as loading dose by 0.6mg/kg/hr as a maintenance regime. Furosamide: Adults 40 mg slowly ( I.V.) children 0.5 to 105 mg/kg slowly (I.V.) |
|
Dinitrocompounds DDOC, PCP, Binapacryp, Dinitrophenol |
Adequate emptying of stomach and the use of activated charcoal is followed by saline cathartic with sodium suphate solution |
|
Dinoseb |
Same as above |
|
Copper compounds Copper oxychloride, Copper sulphate |
BAL ( Dimercaprol) 3 to 5 mg/kg bodyweight |
|
Anticoagulants-Rodenticides Brodifacoum, Warfarin |
Give vitamin K1, Phytonadione 15-25 mg to adults and 5-Bromadiolone, Coumochlor 10 mg to children orally in mild cases. In severe Chlorocinone case, give Agnamephyton 5-10mg 5-10mg to adults, 1-5 mg to children, I.M. or I.V |
|
Bipyridyniums, Diquat, Paraquat |
Large doses of vitamin C and E as antioxidants. Avoid oxygen therapy for first 48 hours. Give charcoal 50g in 150 ml of water or beaten white of 8 eggs |
|
Zinc phoshide and aluminium |
Give morphine for relief of abdominal pain, high doses of Phosphide corticosteroids, blood transfusion for treatment of shock and hemorrhage |
|
Nicotine |
Phenobarbitene sulphate 0.7 g daily |
|
Arsenic compounds |
BAL (Dimercaprol) 3 to 5 mg/kg bodyweight |
Sources & References
R.B. Raizada and T.S.S. Diksith (Eds.) 1992. Pesticides, Development, Toxicity and Safety. Industrial Toxicology Research Center, Lucknow, India.
Laha N.N., Shanker, A. and Chpora, R. 1988. Journal Ass. Phys. India. 36: 594.
Dashora V.K. and Swaroop, D. 1986. Journal Ass. Phys. India. 34: 227,
Dagil A.J., Moss, J.S. and Shaikh, W.A. 1981. Journal Ass. Phys. India. 29: 794.
Organic Farming and Ayurveda
