Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
rately than delayed effects, and they are more easily diagnosed than effects that
do not appear until long after the exposure. Acute effects usually are obvious
and often are reversible if appropriate medical care is given promptly.
Pesticides cause four types of acute effects:
•
acute oral effects
•
acute inhalation effects
•
acute dermal effects
•
acute eye effects.
Figure 7.4
Collapsed worker suffering acute effects of pesticide exposure
(EPA, source unknown).
a.
Acute Oral Effects
Your mouth, throat, and stomach can be burned severely by some pesti-
cides. Other pesticides that you swallow will not burn your digestive system,
but will be absorbed and carried in your blood throughout your body and may
cause you harm in various ways. These chemicals that are transported
throughout the body are termed systemic pesticides. For some pesticides,
swallowing even a few drops from a splash or wiping your mouth with a con-
taminated glove can make you very ill or make it difficult to eat and drink and
get nourishment.
