PESTICIDE SAFETY
PREPARE FOR EMERGENCIES
Call a POISON CONTROL CENTER or physician in ALL cases of suspected poisoning.
It is better to be too cautious than too late.EMERGENCY INFORMATION is on the BACK COVER of this publication. During an emergency call, tell the physician the chemicals listed on the label, the EPA registration number, antidotes given on the label and other information about the accident that could aid in treatment. Be prepared! READ and POST SAFETY RULES. Circle the appropriate Poison Control Center phone number on the back cover. Fill in the phone number of your local ambulance service, doctor and hospital. Inform your doctor of the Notes to Physicians on labels of the pesticides you plan to use, and get his or her advice on whether antidotes should be kept on hand.
PHOSPHATE POISONING
The effects of organophosphate and carbamate poisoning are rapid. POISONING MUST BE RECOGNIZED EARLY FOR EFFECTIVE TREATMENT. Early symptoms are usually a headache, feeling of weakness, blurred vision, excessive perspiration, and nausea. Abdominal cramps, vomiting, and excessive salivation may set in with, or without, diarrhea. The throat and chest will feel constricted making breathing difficult. In mild poisoning, some of these symptoms may be absent. Heat stress causes symptoms similar to pesticide poisoning.
If breathing stops, artificial respiration is the most important first-aid. While waiting for medical help, give first-aid as indicated on the label. Never try to give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Get the victim to a doctor as soon as possible. If you know which pesticide is involved, take the container along so the doctor can read the label. If this is impractical, remove the label and take it with you. Relabel the container as soon as possible.
Cholinesterase is an enzyme necessary for the proper function of the nervous system in humans and several other animals. Organophosphate pesticides (dimethoate, diazinon, azinphosmethyl, phosmet, chlorpyrifos and methidathion) and carbamate pesticides (carbaryl, methomyl, oxamyl), and many other natural and synthetic chemicals, interfere with the action of cholinesterase. An applicator who uses these types of pesticides regularly would be wise to have a cholinesterase activity test. This is a simple blood test that can be taken at many hospitals. The test finds the base line or "normal" level of cholinesterase in your blood. If pesticide poisoning is suspected, the cholinesterase level can be checked again at that time for confirmation. The best time to establish the base line is before the spray season. The important level is the total or true cholinesterase. Discuss this with your physician beforehand.
On to Your Responsibility as a Pesticide Applicator