Pesticide poisoning

[janelee]

Pesticide poisonings occur when chemicals intended to control a pest affect non-target organisms such as humans, wildlife, or bees. Since label directions required by the FIFRA are specifically designed to protect applicators and other humans, wildlife, and other environmental resources, the majority of pesticide poisonings result from violations of the label directions.

A major exception to the above rule of thumb, likely the worst single case of pesticide poisoning that has ever occurred, occurred due to an industrial accident at a Union Carbide pesticide manufacturing plant in Bhopal, India. On the night of December 3, 1984, a leak erupted from one of the tanks of methyl isocyanate, a gas that is an intermediate step in the production of carbaryl and aldicarb. For two hours the gas poured out and into the surrounding community, killing at least 3,800 people, and permanently disabling 40 people. About two thousand seven hundred people were partly disabled and over 400,000 have lingering health effects. The worst damage was to the eyes and lungs of the victims, but there were many other physical and psychiatric symptoms as well. One reason the accident was so severe was that all safety and backup systems were either disabled or inadequate.

The label is the key:

According to FIFRA, a pesticide is any substance or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling, or mitigating a living organism or any substance or mixture of substances intended for the use as a plant regulator, defoliant, or desiccant. Pesticides are designed to kill organisms such as bacteria, bugs, fungi or plants and can be toxic to other creatures as well, including: the applicator, workers (in fields or in professions that use disinfectants), birds, wild and domestic animals and other beneficial organisms such as bees (our primary pollinators). The label for each chemical pesticide is designed after extensive company testing to maximize the effectiveness of this particular material and minimize risks. It often takes millions of dollars and several years to get a new material labeled, ie approved for use, in the USA. Prevention of pesticide poisoning, as well as first aid response when accidents occur all should start with the label.

A fruit farmer in New York was preparing to use paraquat for weed control in his orchard. He spilled the concentrate on his bare forearm and hand, while mixing in the tank. He immediately flooded the affected skin with water from the filler hose. Notwithstanding his immediate washing, he died of chemical pneumonia the following week. His death was preventable had he not made three errors: 1. He had a casual attitude about a highly toxic chemical, 2. He was not wearing skin protection as directed by the label, and 3. He did not seek immediate medical attention after the accident.

Prior to using any pesticide, even the garden dust one buys at the discount store, one must carefully read the label. Knowing what it says may prevent injury or death. Pesticide labels are also legal documents. Using the material contrary to the directions is a violation; deliberate use in violation of the label is a crime.

There are three technical words used on pesticide labels that are important to check.

1Caution: mildly toxic, more than an ounce would be a lethal dose for a human (less for children).

2Warning more toxic, a teaspoon to a tablespoon is a lethal dose for an adult.

3Danger (accompanied by the symbol of the skull and crossbones), highly toxic - a minute amount can kill an adult.