A helpful table giving details of how to treat accidental poisoning from insecticides, fungicides and herbicides.

Chemical group	Examples	Symptoms		Treatment
INSECTICIDES
ORGANOCHLORINES Absorbed through the skin. Very toxic if swallowed. The effects of poisoning may build up slowly.	aldrin, dieldrin, gamma HCH, DDT, endosulphan	Excitement, twitching, fits, stopping breathing. Reaction may be delayed for up to 2 days.		Control fits, watch breathing. Admit to hospital
ORGANOPHOSPHATES The effects of poisoning may build up slowly after days or even months of spraying.  It is usually absorbed through the skin.	azinphos-methyl, bromophos, demeton-S-methyl, dichlorvos, dimethoate, phosphamidon, trichlorphon, fenthion, diazinon, malathion	Exhaustion, weakness, vomiting, abdominal pains, cold sweats, small pupils twitching, fits, incontinence, breathing may stop.		Patient must not move. Give Atropine 2 mg by injection. Repeat if necessary. Control fits. Admit to hospital. Atropine is one of the few useful antidotes. Keep a supply with suitable needles and syringes.
CARBAMATES The effects are very similar to the Organophosphates and treatment is identical.	carbofuron, pirimicarb, propoxur, carbaryl	See Organophosphates.		See Organophosphates.
NICOTINE This may be very toxic, especially when used as a smoke or spray in closed rooms.  If patient survives the initial poisoning, recovery is complete.	nicotine	Nausea, dizziness, vomiting, sweating, collapse, fits, coma.		Control fits. No antidote.
PYRETHRINS AND SYNTHETIC PYRETHROIDS These are not very toxic in humans and poisoning is only likely if they are swallowed.	pyrethrin, cypermethrin (Ambush)	Excited, fits		Induce Vomiting.
FUNGICIDES
DITHIOCARBAMATES These are not very toxic. They can cause skin irritation. There may be breathing problems if large amounts are swallowed.	mancozeb, maneb, probineb, thiram, zineb		Irritation of skin, eyes or mouth.	Induce vomiting, watch breathing.
DINITRO COMPOUNDS Absorbed through skin. Skin and hair will be stained yellow if a lot of poison is absorbed.	dinocap, dinoseb		Tiredness, sweating, anxiety, fast breathing.	Give plenty to drink. Keep cool.
HERBICIDES
Herbicides which kill weeds are rarely used by small-holder farmers but may be used on commercial farms or plantations. Many of them are not very toxic, unless swallowed. Follow first aid treatment and induce vomiting for all those in the Triazine group (simazine, atrazine, ametryne) and in the Phenoxyacetate group (MCPA, 2:4-D, 2:4:5-T).
BIPYRIDILIUM COMPOUNDS The main risk is from accidental or deliberate swallowing. Large amounts cause death in 1 to 2 days. Small amounts can cause long term, often fatal, lung damage.	paraquat, diquat	Severe skin and eye irritation, nosebleeds, mouth and throat burns, vomiting, diarrhoea.		Only induce vomiting if shortly after swallowing. If throat is not badly burned, swallow a handful of clay or earth to inactivate the chemical. Wash eye or skin splashes. Urgent hospital admission.
ARSENICAL HERBICIDES These are very toxic and rapid treatment is essential. An antidote (Dimercaprol) may be available at a hospital. Poisoning can be rapid by swallowing or gradual.	sodium arsenite, MSMA, DSMA	Stomach pain, diarrhoea, cramps, collapse (following swallowing). Gradual loss of appetite, skin rash.		Induce vomiting. Give plenty to drink. Admit to hospital urgently. Antidote may be available.
SODIUM CHLORATE This can be very poisonous if swallowed. As little as 2 grams is enough to kill a child.	sodium chlorate	Vomiting, stomach pain, confused thinking. Skin and especially lips may turn blue.		Induce vomiting, give plenty to drink. Get to hospital urgently.

This page was last updated on 05 December 2005