Pesticide Poisoning: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Written by: Editorial Team

Medically reviewed by: Dr. Manasa Gaddam - Consultant Critical Care Specialist

Overview | Statistics | Types | Symptoms | Causes | Risk Factors | Complications | Diagnosis | Treatment | Prevention | FAQs | When to consult a Doctor

Pesticide poisoning definition

Pesticide poisoning is a dangerous condition that happens when a person comes into contact with pesticides through consumption, inhalation, or contact with their skin or eyes. Pesticide chemicals are toxic to the body. Depending on the amount and frequency of exposure, it can be acute or chronic. It can cause clinical signs and symptoms like nausea, trouble breathing, or problems with the nervous system.

It can happen if someone swallows a pesticide by mistake or on purpose. It may also occur when people spray or handle pesticides without wearing proper protection. Breathing in the spray or getting it on the skin or in the eyes can also cause poisoning. Keeping pesticides carelessly at home or on farms can increase the risk, especially for children.

A Critical care specialist, general physician or toxicologist, a doctor specialised in treating poisoning and chemical exposures, can accurately diagnose and provide the correct treatment for pesticide poisoning.

Pesticide poisoning remains a major global health issue, with approximately 38.5 crore acute pesticide poisonings occurring annually worldwide, leading to around 11,000 deaths. Most of these cases are in low- and middle-income countries, where self-poisoning through pesticides leads to 14-20% of global suicides. Underreporting of cases is usually high. Additionally, chronic pesticide exposure poses long-term health risks, including neurological and reproductive issues, particularly for agricultural workers.

In India, pesticide poisoning is a significant health problem. About 63% of all poisoning cases involve pesticides. A lot of these cases originate from farming areas where pesticides are used frequently, which causes a high number of suicides every year. Exposure to pesticides, whether short-term or long-term, can cause problems like brain damage and damage to the reproductive organs. The situation is worse in areas with poor safety practices and inadequate regulations. Efforts to improve safety and awareness are urgently needed.

Pesticide poisoning can be classified based on the duration and frequency of exposure to the pesticide. The following are the types of pesticide poisoning:

• Acute pesticide poisoning
• Subchronic pesticide poisoning
• Chronic pesticide poisoning
  

Acute pesticide poisoning occurs after a single exposure or multiple exposures within a short time (usually within 24 hours) to a pesticide. The symptoms appear rapidly, often within minutes or hours. Common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, breathing difficulty, and skin or eye irritation. It usually occurs from accidental ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact with a high dose of pesticide.

Sub-chronic poisoning occurs when a person is repeatedly exposed to pesticides for a short to medium period, usually from several weeks to a few months. The exposure level is generally lower than that of acute poisoning, but repeated frequently. Symptoms may develop gradually and include fatigue, mild neurological symptoms, irritation, or organ stress. It often occurs in agricultural workers with repeated exposure during spraying seasons.

Chronic pesticide poisoning happens when one is exposed to small amounts of pesticides for a long time, like months or years. The symptoms begin gradually and can lead to long-term health problems like nerve damage, cancer, or problems with organs. People who work with pesticides for a long time or live near treated fields often get this.

Pesticide poisoning produces symptoms affecting the nervous, respiratory, and gastrointestinal systems after exposure through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. The following are the signs and symptoms of pesticide poisoning:

• Headache and dizziness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Excessive sweating and salivation
• Blurred vision or small pupils
• Muscle twitching or weakness
• Abdominal cramps and diarrhoea
• Difficulty breathing
• Confusion or seizures in severe cases 

Headache and dizziness: Early signs of neurological problems due to pesticide exposure include headaches and dizziness. These happen because some pesticides affect the nervous system and make it more difficult for nerves to send signals to each other. People may feel dizzy, weak, or have trouble focusing. Persistent dizziness may also lead to imbalance and fatigue.

Nausea and vomiting: Nausea and vomiting occur due to discomfort in the gastrointestinal system after ingestion or inhalation of pesticides. The body attempts to eliminate the toxic substance, leading to repeated vomiting. If this occurs for a long time, it can lead to dehydration and weakness. These signs are common when someone is poisoned by pesticides.

Excessive sweating and salivation: Certain pesticides stimulate the nervous system and increase secretions from glands in the body. As a result, affected individuals may experience excessive sweating and increased saliva production. This can cause drooling and discomfort. These symptoms are commonly associated with organophosphate pesticide exposure.

Blurred vision or small pupils: Pesticides can affect the muscles that control the eyes, which can make vision blurry and pupils constrict (pinpoint). This occurs due to the overactivation of nerve signals that regulate the eye muscles. People can also experience eye pain or difficulty focusing. Visual disturbances are commonly reported in acute pesticide poisoning.

Muscle twitching or weakness: Muscle twitching occurs when toxic chemicals overstimulate the neuromuscular junctions. People may get tremors, involuntary muscle movements, and weakness in different parts of their bodies. Severe poisoning can cause muscle paralysis. These effects occur because pesticides interfere with acetylcholinesterase activity in nerves.

Abdominal cramps and diarrhoea: Pesticides may irritate the digestive tract and increase intestinal activity. This can cause abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, and gastrointestinal discomfort. These symptoms often occur along with nausea and vomiting after ingestion of pesticides. Fluid loss from diarrhoea may worsen weakness and dehydration.

Difficulty breathing: Pesticides can cause breathing problems by affecting the muscles that control breathing or by irritating the airways. People may have symptoms like shortness of breath, chest tightness, or wheezing. Severe poisoning can cause paralysis of the muscles that control breathing, which can cause respiratory failure. In these cases, immediate medical attention is required.

Confusion or seizures in severe cases: In severe poisoning, toxic chemicals affect brain function and may cause confusion, agitation, or seizures. These symptoms are caused by the disruption of normal nervous system activity. Patients may lose consciousness or develop convulsions if exposure is severe. Such signs indicate life-threatening pesticide poisoning.

Pesticide poisoning can occur through several types of exposure during the use, handling, or storage of pesticides. The following are the common causes through which individuals may become exposed to these toxic chemicals:

• Accidental ingestion of pesticides
• Intentional ingestion (suicide attempts)
• Inhalation of pesticide sprays or fumes
• Skin contact during mixing or spraying
• Consumption of contaminated food or water

Accidental ingestion of pesticides: When someone eats or drinks pesticides by mistake, it is called accidental ingestion, which usually happens when food or water is contaminated or stored in an unsafe way. When contaminated food, water, soil, or residues on hands are ingested, chemicals may enter the body. Children are at greater risk due to hand-to-mouth activities.

Intentional ingestion (suicide attempts): Intentional ingestion means purposefully taking pesticides, which is often linked to suicide attempts. Pesticides are easy to find and store at home in many farming areas, which raises the risk of poisoning on purpose. This way allows poisonous chemicals to get into the bloodstream very quickly.

Inhalation of pesticide sprays or fumes: When people spray, mix, or apply pesticides, they breathe in air that has pesticide droplets, dust, or vapours in it. These particles in the air can get into the lungs and airways, where the chemicals can enter the body. People working in agriculture, pesticide applicators, or those living near treated areas are more likely to experience this type of exposure.

Skin contact during mixing or spraying: When mixing, spraying, or touching surfaces that are contaminated, pesticides can get on the skin or in the eyes. This is called dermal exposure. A lot of pesticides can get into the blood through the skin. This kind of exposure is especially dangerous for farm workers who aren't wearing protective clothing.

Consumption of contaminated food or water: Pesticide residues may remain on crops or contaminate water sources after agricultural application. When contaminated food or water is consumed, pesticides can enter the body through the digestive system. Continuous exposure through residues can contribute to poisoning and other health effects.

Certain conditions and behaviours can increase the likelihood of pesticide exposure and poisoning. These factors are commonly related to occupational practices, environmental conditions, and lack of safety measures during pesticide use. It includes the following:

• Lack of personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Improper storage of pesticides
• Poor awareness or training about pesticide safety
• Easy availability of highly hazardous pesticides
• Living or working in agricultural environments

Lack of personal protective equipment (PPE): Failure to use protective equipment such as gloves, masks, goggles, and protective clothing increases the risk of pesticide exposure. During mixing and spraying, pesticides can easily come into contact with the skin or be inhaled. Without protective barriers, these chemicals may enter the body through the skin or respiratory tract. Agricultural workers who do not use PPE are therefore at a higher risk of poisoning.

Improper storage of pesticides: Storing pesticides in the home or in containers for food and drinks can lead to accidental exposure. Kids and other individuals in the house might accidentally eat these poisonous things. Poor labelling and unsafe storage practices increase the chances of accidental poisoning. To avoid exposure, it is important to store things properly in containers that are clearly labelled and locked.

Poor awareness or training about pesticide safety: Poor awareness about the safe handling and use of pesticides can increase the risk of poisoning. Farmers who aren't trained might use the wrong amounts of pesticides or use them without taking the right safety measures. They may also be unaware of the health issues associated with these chemicals. Education and training programs are necessary to promote safe pesticide use.

Easy availability of highly hazardous pesticides: In many farming areas, it is easy to purchase and use highly toxic pesticides. Easy access raises the risk of both accidental exposure and intentional ingestion. Having very dangerous pesticides in homes also raises the risk of poisoning. Restricting and controlling these kinds of chemicals can help lower the number of poisoning cases.

Living or working in agricultural environments: People who live or work in farming areas are more likely to come into contact with pesticides because they are sprayed on fields on a regular basis. Drift from sprayed pesticides can make the air, soil, and water polluted. People who work with pesticides as part of their occupation are especially at risk. Continuous exposure to these environments increases the risk of both acute and chronic health effects.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on pesticide poisoning

The most common cause of pesticide poisoning is intentional ingestion of pesticides for self-harm or suicide. Many highly toxic pesticides are easily available in agricultural areas, which increases the risk of intentional poisoning. According to public-health reports, pesticide self-poisoning accounts for a large proportion of poisoning deaths globally. In addition to intentional ingestion, poisoning may also occur through accidental exposure during handling or spraying of pesticides.

Pesticide poisoning is a major global public-health problem. A global study estimated that about 38.5 crore cases of acute unintentional pesticide poisoning occur every year worldwide, including around 11,000 deaths annually. These incidents occur mainly in agricultural regions where pesticides are widely used. Farmers, farm workers, and people living near treated fields are often more exposed to these chemicals. Proper handling and safety measures are important to reduce these cases.

Yes, pesticide poisoning can cause seizures in severe cases, especially with certain pesticides. These chemicals affect the nervous system by disrupting normal nerve signal transmission. As a result, symptoms may include muscle twitching, convulsions, and seizures. Severe poisoning can also lead to confusion, coma, or other serious neurological complications, requiring immediate medical attention.

Pesticide poisoning is classified into acute, sub-chronic, and chronic types based on how long and how often they were exposed. Acute poisoning happens after one exposure or exposure over a short time. Repeated exposure over a few weeks or months can cause sub-chronic poisoning. Long-term exposure to small amounts of pesticides over months or years can cause chronic poisoning, which can have long-term effects on health.

Yes, pesticide poisoning can happen if people consume food that contains high levels of pesticide residues. This could happen if pesticides are not used correctly or if the amount of pesticide residue on fruits and vegetables is too high. Cleaning and cooking food the right way can help get rid of pesticide residues. Following safe farming methods also helps keep food from getting contaminated with high levels of harmful pesticides.

Yes, pesticide poisoning can irritate the respiratory system and cause breathing problems. People with exposure to pesticides may have symptoms like coughing, throat irritation, chest tightness, wheezing, or shortness of breath after inhaling. Some pesticides can also worsen conditions like asthma. Continuous or severe exposure may lead to more serious lung problems over time.

Yes, Pesticide poisoning may raise the risk of certain cancers, usually due to long-term exposure. Some pesticide chemicals have been associated with cancers such as lymphoma and prostate cancer. In contrast, small pesticide residues on food are generally not considered to be linked to cancer.

Yes, Pesticide poisoning can affect pregnancy, causing increased risk of miscarriages, birth defects, and preterm deliveries. Some pesticides may pass through the placenta and damage the development of the fetus, especially in the early pregnancy. It's important to avoid pesticides during pregnancy. To protect the health of both the mother and the baby, the proper precautions should be taken.

Pesticide poisoning occurs when toxic chemicals enter the body through skin, inhalation, or ingestion, affecting multiple body systems. Food poisoning is caused by consuming contaminated food, which affects the digestive system. It causes gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea and diarrhoea, whereas pesticide poisoning can lead to long-term organ and nervous system damage

Consult a doctor for pesticide poisoning if there are symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, breathing difficulty, or unusual sweating after exposure to pesticides. Signs that indicate a need for medical assistance include:

• Persistent vomiting, headache, or stomach cramps
• Excessive sweating, salivation, or blurred vision
• Skin or eye irritation after contact with pesticides
• Difficulty breathing, chest tightness, or wheezing
• Weakness, confusion, or muscle twitching

If these symptoms appear after contact with pesticides, it is important to see a pesticide poisoning doctor promptly for proper evaluation and management. Seek emergency medical attention if there are symptoms like seizures, severe breathing problems, loss of consciousness, or vomiting, as these may lead to severe poisoning. A general physician or toxicology specialist can provide appropriate pesticide poisoning treatment to prevent complications and ensure recovery.