Today, pesticides are widely used not only by agricultural workers, but also by gardeners. Summer residents who are trying to harvest a rich harvest, and housewives caring for indoor flowers, often use such chemicals. However, not all people are aware of the necessary precautions. Therefore, there are cases of pesticide poisoning. The article details this pathology.
Danger of chemicals to the body
This group of substances fights plant diseases, weeds, insects that spoil wool, cotton, leather goods.
Pesticides contain copper, mercury, and phosphorus compounds. Due to the high toxicity, chemicals are stored out of the reach of children. Before using substances, you should also take care of protective equipment. Under what circumstances is it possible to develop intoxication? Cases of poisoningpesticides occur both at enterprises and in everyday life. Not only people, but also animals can suffer from the action of substances. This happens if the compounds penetrate the feed or fall onto the grass when sprayed. Intoxication is especially difficult in pediatric patients.
Circumstances in which poisoning occurs
The main cause of the pathology is non-compliance with safety standards when working with chemicals. These violations include:
- Poor-quality processing of instruments that are used in agriculture.
- Lack of protective equipment on the surface of the skin, special clothing.
- Preparation of substances for the destruction of pests at home.
- Failure to follow instructions when applying insect repellent.
- Eating fruits and vegetables that contain chemicals can cause pesticide poisoning.
Factors that determine the severity of intoxication
The substances in question enter the human body through the digestive organs, respiratory tract or skin. However, how badly an individual is harmed by pesticide poisoning depends on several aspects, for example:
- Toxicity of the chemical.
- The rate of its decay.
- The ability of a compound to remain in food and in the human body for a long time.
It must be remembered that even a small amount of toxin causes severe pathologies. These conditions require urgentmedical care. Peculiarities of pesticide poisoning and symptoms are described in the following sections.
Common signs of illness
Manifestations of intoxication in all cases are approximately the same. They do not depend on the way the poison enters the body. Specialists distinguish mild, moderate and severe degrees of pathology. The severity of symptoms is determined by the concentration of the chemical, its volume. In case of pesticide poisoning in humans, the following phenomena are observed:
- Dizziness attacks.
- Changes in behavior (in children). The baby often cries, feels weak, moves little.
- Pain in the head.
- Increased salivation.
- Speed up heart rate.
- Severe weakness.
- If a person inhales toxic chemicals, they will have a strong taste in the mouth, strong coughing fits.
- Patients with chronic pathologies suffer from exacerbation of disease symptoms.
In the absence of adequate therapy, a severe form of intoxication may develop. It is characterized by the following symptoms:
- Profuse perspiration.
- Pupil reduction.
- Respiratory disorders.
- Bluish skin tone.
- Seizures.
Other signs
Depending on what substances are part of pesticides, the manifestations of intoxication may be different. If the chemicals contain phosphorus, the victim develops respiratory and vascular dysfunctions, agitation, pupils decrease. Wheezing is heard in the lungs. ATin severe cases, a person falls into a coma, he has a cardiac arrest. When poisoning with compounds that include chlorine, the symptoms are different. The skin becomes red, there is an outflow of tears, discomfort in the throat, weakness in the muscles, disorders of the liver and urinary organs, cough.
If intoxication with pesticides containing mercury has occurred, the victim feels an unpleasant aftertaste in the mouth. In case of poisoning with substances containing metals, a person's consciousness is disturbed, malfunctions of the digestive and lymphatic systems occur.
Individuals who use these chemicals should be aware of the characteristics of pesticide poisoning, symptoms and treatment.
How to properly help with intoxication?
The measures to be taken in case of illness directly depend on how the toxin entered the body. If the substance has got on the skin (this is evidenced by a feeling of itching, a red tint of the affected fragment), clothes should be removed. The chemical must be removed with a solution of ammonia (10%).
Then the person needs to treat the damaged part of the body with soap and rinse it with water. In case of toxin penetration into the digestive tract in case of pesticide poisoning, help consists of the following measures:
- Ventilation to provide fresh air. It is necessary to open a window, a window.
- Gastric lavage with plenty of water with crushed activated charcoal tablets. If the patient is in a faint or is a child under 5 years of age, vomiting should not be provoked. The contents of the digestive tract can enter the respiratory tract. In such cases, gastric lavage is carried out by doctors using a probe.
- The removal of toxic substances is facilitated by drugs that enhance the separation of urine. Medicines should only be used after drinking enough water or using a drip.
- In order to slow down the rate of absorption of poison, use Almagel, Polyphepan, egg white.
These activities refer to first aid methods for pesticide poisoning. The rest of the procedures are carried out by doctors who take the victim to the hospital.
Hospital Therapy
The doctor selects an antidote for a person - a medicine that neutralizes the toxin. The drug is introduced into the body by injection. Also, a person is given medicines with an anticonvulsant effect, droppers are put. As side effects of pesticide poisoning, experts call the pathology of the digestive tract and kidneys. Therefore, for some period after intoxication, you need to adhere to a special diet.
Proper diet for patients
For two days after the illness, a person is recommended to fast and drink plenty of water. On the third day, you can switch to a sparing diet. The following foods should be present in the diet:
- First dishes in pure form.
- Liquid food from cereals.
- Low-fat broths.
- Lean minced meat.
- Pure vegetables.
Solid foods are introduced into the diet a little later. Eating should be frequent, but in small quantities. It is especially important for minor patients to adhere to a diet. After all, the body of children is very susceptible to external influences.
Therefore, you should not indulge a recovering baby with his favorite treats. During the recovery period after an illness, it is undesirable to use:
- Fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Chocolate.
- Confectionery.
- Fried, fatty, s alty and spicy foods.
- Beans.
Adult patients should refrain from drinking.
Pesticide poisoning in animals
People are not the only ones affected by chemicals. Representatives of the fauna are also susceptible to intoxication.
In animals, poisoning causes the following symptoms:
- Lack of interest in food.
- Trembling in the muscles.
- Severe flow of saliva.
- Respiratory dysfunction.
- Loose stools with blood particles.
- Unsteady gait.
He alth care activities include:
- Removal from the diet of feed contaminated with toxin.
- Gastric lavage with medication or tube.
- The animal must be givenantidote, laxative, provide him with plenty of water.
- Diuretic drugs and drugs that restore respiratory function are used for treatment.
Prevention measures
How to protect yourself from intoxication? You need to follow simple guidelines. Prevention of pesticide poisoning is as follows:
- Observe safety regulations when using and storing chemicals.
- Rinse the skin well after working with substances.
- Carry protective equipment.
- Special clothing worn by agricultural workers should be aired, washed once a week and kept in a separate room.
- When using pesticides, wear gloves that are cleaned with a solution of baking soda, soap and water.
- It is advisable to take a shower after using substances. Clothes need to be changed. Hands are wiped with a cloth dipped in water.
- When buying fruits and vegetables, give preference to not too large and bright goods.
