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C. R. Krishna Murti and T. S. S. Dikshith
electroencephalographic changes, muscle tremors, and convulsions. Levels of
SGOT, SGPT, and serum LDH were greatly enhanced in the group occupationally exposed to pentachlorophenol. Very high levels of alkaline phosphatase
have also been found in exposure to common organochlorines. Levels of albumin
and beta and gamma globulins are also found to vary significantly with different
types of occupational exposures, suggesting, primarily, involvement of the liver.
Cases of poisoning of men due to ingestion or exposure to organophosphorus
and chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides have been frequently reported in India.
Organophosphorus and carbamate pesticides have been known to cause depression in the cholinesterase activity of the blood and brain. Studies have suggested
that inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity in RBC and the brains of pesticideintoxicated animals would return to near-normal values when the animals are
not further exposed and given a period of rest (Dikshith et ai., 1976, 1980a-c,
unpublished data). This information could be used for controlling cases of organophosphorus poisoning under field conditions. The work conducted in India
with special reference to toxic effects of these cases in human beings is briefly
summarized as follows.
Thirty-four patients with cases of diazinon poisoning were admitted to the
Ruby Hall Hospital in Pune, India, between January 1967 and May 1969. Diazinon was shown to cause rapid and severe depression of serum cholinesterase
activity in 17 patients. Similar studies were undertaken in 158 males from Delhi
and Punjab including 84 occupationally exposed to organophosphorus pesticides
(Karnik et ai., 1970; Kashyap and Gupta, 1971a,b). The exposed group of
individuals showed a significant depression in cholinesterase level. Blood cholinesterase activity was found to reflect the length of duration of exposure.
Electrocardiographic changes were observed in 12% of the 86 cases of diazinon
poisoning (Shah and Undavia, 1972). Impairment of consciousness (10%), fasciculation (27%), convulsion (1%), toxic delirium (50%), and paralysis (26%)
were observed in poisoned people. A field study on the toxicological hazards
to workers engaged in ultra-low-volume aerial spraying of phosphamidon revealed significant alterations in the plasma acetylcholinesterase activity of the
sprayers. The maximum percentages of plasma cholinesterase inhibition, which
occurred 1-3 days postspray, were 0-25% in 11 subjects, 26-50% in 19 subjects,
and over 50% in 2 subjects. The distribution of parathion, malathion, dimethoate,
sumithion, and phosphamidon in the human stomach, intestine, lungs, spleen,
and heart in five different cases of suspected poisoning has been reported (Kashyap and Gupta, 1976; Tewari and Harpalani, 1977).
Studies with human volunteers have suggested that 2,4-D is quickly absorbed and above 75% of the compound is excreted unchanged in the urine 96
hr after administration (Kohli et ai., 1974a). A similar study with 2,4,5-T has
also shown that this compound is absorbed readily from the gastrointestinal tract
and is excreted in the urine without undergoing any metabolic alteration in the
system (Kohli et ai., 1974b).
C. R. Krishna Murti and T. S. S. Dikshith
electroencephalographic changes, muscle tremors, and convulsions. Levels of
SGOT, SGPT, and serum LDH were greatly enhanced in the group occupationally exposed to pentachlorophenol. Very high levels of alkaline phosphatase
have also been found in exposure to common organochlorines. Levels of albumin
and beta and gamma globulins are also found to vary significantly with different
types of occupational exposures, suggesting, primarily, involvement of the liver.
Cases of poisoning of men due to ingestion or exposure to organophosphorus
and chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides have been frequently reported in India.
Organophosphorus and carbamate pesticides have been known to cause depression in the cholinesterase activity of the blood and brain. Studies have suggested
that inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity in RBC and the brains of pesticideintoxicated animals would return to near-normal values when the animals are
not further exposed and given a period of rest (Dikshith et ai., 1976, 1980a-c,
unpublished data). This information could be used for controlling cases of organophosphorus poisoning under field conditions. The work conducted in India
with special reference to toxic effects of these cases in human beings is briefly
summarized as follows.
Thirty-four patients with cases of diazinon poisoning were admitted to the
Ruby Hall Hospital in Pune, India, between January 1967 and May 1969. Diazinon was shown to cause rapid and severe depression of serum cholinesterase
activity in 17 patients. Similar studies were undertaken in 158 males from Delhi
and Punjab including 84 occupationally exposed to organophosphorus pesticides
(Karnik et ai., 1970; Kashyap and Gupta, 1971a,b). The exposed group of
individuals showed a significant depression in cholinesterase level. Blood cholinesterase activity was found to reflect the length of duration of exposure.
Electrocardiographic changes were observed in 12% of the 86 cases of diazinon
poisoning (Shah and Undavia, 1972). Impairment of consciousness (10%), fasciculation (27%), convulsion (1%), toxic delirium (50%), and paralysis (26%)
were observed in poisoned people. A field study on the toxicological hazards
to workers engaged in ultra-low-volume aerial spraying of phosphamidon revealed significant alterations in the plasma acetylcholinesterase activity of the
sprayers. The maximum percentages of plasma cholinesterase inhibition, which
occurred 1-3 days postspray, were 0-25% in 11 subjects, 26-50% in 19 subjects,
and over 50% in 2 subjects. The distribution of parathion, malathion, dimethoate,
sumithion, and phosphamidon in the human stomach, intestine, lungs, spleen,
and heart in five different cases of suspected poisoning has been reported (Kashyap and Gupta, 1976; Tewari and Harpalani, 1977).
Studies with human volunteers have suggested that 2,4-D is quickly absorbed and above 75% of the compound is excreted unchanged in the urine 96
hr after administration (Kohli et ai., 1974a). A similar study with 2,4,5-T has
also shown that this compound is absorbed readily from the gastrointestinal tract
and is excreted in the urine without undergoing any metabolic alteration in the
system (Kohli et ai., 1974b).