Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
1.
Telltale Signs or Symptoms
Poisoning by some pesticide chemical families results in distinctive signs
that help others to recognize the cause of the poisoning. Organophosphate and
n-methyl carbamate poisoning, for example, is often identified by the presence
of very small (pinpoint) pupils in the victim's eyes. Poisoning by pesticides
containing arsenic or phosphorus is often identified by a garlic odor on the
victim's breath.
You should know the kinds of harmful effects most likely to be caused by
the pesticides you use. The Pesticide Guides in Part Two of this text and the
appendix entitled “Effects of Pesticides on the Human Body” (EPA,
Applying
Pesticides Correctly
, 1991) both contain guides to help judge how the prod-
ucts you are using might be expected to affect you. The guides and tables list
the major groups of pesticides. For each group, it tells:
•
the action of the poison on the human system
•
acute poisoning (systemic) effects
Figure 7.5
Common symptoms of pesticide poisoning (Waxman, M.F.,
Pesticide Safety
, University of Wisconsin Pesticide Safety Training, 1991).
