Pesticides

Pesticides
Pesticides are a group of chemicals made for the purpose of killing or otherwise deterring “pest” species. The word pesticide may refer to insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, or other pest control formulations. Pesticides are inherently toxic and often associated with adverse health effects in non-target organisms.

• Pesticide exposures include:
(1) accidental and/or suicidal poisonings
(2) occupational (manufacturing, mixing/loading, application, harvesting, and handling of crops) exposure
(3) bystanders exposed to off-target drift from spraying operations,
(4) members of the general public who consume food items containing pesticide residues.

Insecticides
All chemical insecticides in use today poison the nervous systems of the target organisms. The central nervous system (CNS) of insects is highly developed and is similar to that of mammals. The peripheral nervous system (PNS) of insects is not as complex as that of mammals. Insecticides are not selective and affect non-target species as readily as target organisms.
Potential sites of action of insecticides include interference with membrane transport of sodium, potassium, calcium, and chloride ions; inhibition of selective enzymatic activities; and contribution to the release and/or persistence of neurotransmitters at nerve endings.

1. Organochlorine Compounds:

DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) poisoning affects CNS function in humans, also many pathologic changes are observed in the liver and reproductive organs. Hypertrophy of hepatocytes and its subcellular organelles, and an increase in the incidence of hepatic tumors have been noted after exposure to high concentrations.