What is Organophosphate pesticide?
An organophosphate (sometimes abbreviated OP) is the general
name for esters of phosphoric acid. Many of the most important biochemical are
organophosphates, including DNA and RNA as well as many cofactors that are
essential for life. Organophosphates are the basis of many insecticides,
herbicides, and nerve agents. The United States Environmental Protection Agency
lists organophosphates as very highly acutely toxic to bees, wildlife, and
humans. Organophosphate pesticides are used extensively worldwide, and
poisoning by these agents, particularly in developing nations, is a serious
public health problem.
There are several organophosphate pesticide such as parathion, malathion, methyl parathion, chlorpyrifos, diazinon, diclorvos, phosmet, fenitrothion, tetrachlorvinphos, azamethiphos and azinphos methyl. The structural formula of oganophosphate pesticide is shown as the following:
Organophosphates: A Common but Deadly Pesticide
Uses
· Marketed by many of the world’s major
agrochemical companies.
· Marketed by many of the world’s major
agrochemical companies.
· Ops have a wide range of pest control
applications as contact, systemic and fumigant insecticides
· Whilst widely used in agriculture,
they are also used against household and catering establishment pests.
The fruits and veggies with the most pesticides are:
- Apples
- Strawberries
- Grapes
- Celery
- Peaches
- Spinach
- Cucumbers
- Cherry
tomatoes
- Potatoes
And the fruits and veggies with the least pesticides are:
- Avocados
- Sweet
corn
- Pineapples
- Cabbage
- Onions
- Mangos
- Papayas
- Kiwi
- Eggplant
- Sweet
potatoes
Health Effects
Chronic toxicity
Repeated or prolonged exposure to organophosphates may result in the same effects as acute exposure including the delayed symptoms. Other effects reported in workers repeatedly exposed include impaired memory and concentration, disorientation, severe depressions, irritability, confusion, headache, speech difficulties, delayed reaction times, nightmares, sleepwalking and drowsiness or insomnia. An influenza-like condition with headache, nausea, weakness, loss of appetite, and malaise has also been reported.
Low level exposure
Even at relatively low levels organophosphates may be
hazardous to human health. The pesticides act on a set of brain chemicals
closely related to those involved in ADHD, thus foetuses and young children,
where brain development depends on a strict sequence of biological events, may
be most at risk. They can be absorbed through the lungs or skin or by eating
them on food.
Psychiatric effects:
Research reports have suggested that exposure to
agricultural use of OPs produces depression, a major risk factor in suicides.
Research from Spain has shown that suicide rates are higher in areas of greater
OP use.
Research reports have suggested that exposure to
agricultural use of OPs produces depression, a major risk factor in suicides.
Research from Spain has shown that suicide rates are higher in areas of greater
OP use.
Cardiac effects:
A number of studies have drawn attention to cardiac effects associated with
occupational exposure to Ops.
Teratogenicity (birth defects):
There is conflicting evidence concerning the teratogenic effects
of OPs in animals. Data on the effects of OP occupational exposure on pregnant
women and their foetuses are not available.
Cancer:
There is little evidence of strong mutagenic or carcinogenic
effects in mammals from exposure to OPs. The exception is dichlorvos which the
US EPA classifies in its C category as a possible human carcinogen, in which
there is limited evidence of carcinogenicity in animals in the absence of human
data.
There is little evidence of strong mutagenic or carcinogenic
effects in mammals from exposure to OPs. The exception is dichlorvos which the
US EPA classifies in its C category as a possible human carcinogen, in which
there is limited evidence of carcinogenicity in animals in the absence of human
data.
Eye defects:
Research from Japan and the US has found OP exposure during use in agriculture
is related to an increase incidence of myopia (short-sightedness) and a more
advanced ocular disease syndrome, Saku disease.
Sign
& Symptoms
It is imperativeto be familiar with the signs and symptoms this type of pesticide caused.
Mild exposure
- Headache, fatigue, dizziness, loss of appetite, atomach cramps and diarrhea
- Blurred vision
- Slowed heartbeat, often fewer than 50 per minutes
- Rippling of surface muscles just under the skin
Moderately severe
- Unable to walk
- Often complain of chest discomfort and tightness
- Exhibits marked constriction of pupils
- Exhibit muscle twitching
- Has involuntary urination and bowel movement
Severe poisonings
- Incontinence
- Unconsciousness
- Seizures
Organophosphate pesticides are used extensively worldwide nowadays. We should wash fruits and vegetables before we consume it. For your information, organic fruits and vegetables give you a better health because they do not contain organophosphate pesticide.
References:
Wikipedia- Organophosphate
MindBodyGreen(29 April 2014). 12 Fruits & Veggies With The Most Pesticides(2014 Dirty Dozen)
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