Signs and Symptoms of Pesticides and Herbicides
Being accidentally exposed or overexposed to pesticides may result to serious health conditions. The possibility of pesticide-related health cases is high. In Nebraska alone, over thirty-six million pounds of active ingredients that contain pesticide are utilized each year. These pesticides may be employed with lesser risks, if the label directions and instructions are followed properly. If these are carelessly used without proper precautions, the results can be highly dangerous. In some cases, there is a need for immediate medical assistance.
According to Poison Center, which is found in Omaha’s Children’s Hospital, agricultural pesticides owe to 4.6 percent of reported accidental pesticide exposure cases. Twenty-four percent of the cases are caused by anhydrous ammonia exposure. Twenty-two percent of the exposure is due to herbicides, while fifty-four percent is a result to insecticide exposure. Individuals that are exposed to herbicides have been affected with skin or eye irritations. On the other hand, exposure to insecticides results in clear symptoms that require much concern. These symptoms include vomiting or nausea, head pains, shortness in breathing, and dizziness.
Since exposure to pesticides is very serious, you have to determine the symptoms and signs that come with being exposed or poisoned with it. Once you have heightened your awareness, you will be able to know what to do in case you notice the occurrence of a certain symptom. This way, you will be able to protect yourself from serious consequences. There are symptoms and signs of exposure or poisoning that can be observed by other individuals. Examples of these are sweating, contracted pupils, and vomiting.
The symptoms that an individual goes through are the observable changes, resulting from pesticide poisoning and long term exposure. These signs or symptoms include head pains, dizziness, nausea, and weakness. If you are working within an agricultural or industrial setting that utilizes herbicides and pesticides at a regular basis, you should educate yourself with the signs of pesticide poisoning and its first aid response.
Because of the constant use of pesticides, these inevitably find their way to the water supply. When sprayed to crops, they end up in underground water reservoirs. One of the widely used pesticide chemical type is atrazine. This is sprayed on vegetables, fruits, and grain crops. There are also some chemicals that are used as ingredients for hair lotions. Pesticide chemicals like lindane and chlordane are among the formulations that are used to kill head lice in kids. But when applied directly to the skin, these chemicals can damage the detoxification, immune, and endocrine systems of a person’s body.
Pesticides are very harmful since they cannot be eliminated or detoxified from the body completely. This implies that pesticide chemicals gradually build up within the body’s tissues, where they cause diseases and dysfunctions. According to studies that have been performed on animals, acute pesticide exposure can lead to the sensitization of specific brain cells, leading to abnormalities or multiple-chemical sensitivity. Compared to other harmful chemical products and compounds, pesticides top the list. Truthfully so, there are already several health concerns that are linked with the exposure to pesticide and herbicide chemicals.
