What is an organophosphate nerve agent give common examples?

Organophosphate Nerve Agents [e.g. Sarin (GB), Soman (GD), Tabun (GA), VX] are rapidly acting and highly toxic. Organophosphate-based pesticides exhibit the same physiological reaction and are considered extremely poisonous. Accidental exposure to these substances may occur.

How does organophosphates affect the nervous system?

Upon entering the body—through ingestion, inhalation, or contact with skin—organophosphates inhibit cholinesterase, an enzyme in the human nervous system that breaks down acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that carries signals between nerves and muscles.

What happens if you eat organophosphate?

This includes heart failure, respiratory failure, kidney failure, and liver failure. Ingesting large amounts of paraquat will cause severe symptoms within several hours to several days. These symptoms include: confusion.

Are organophosphates nerve agents?

Insecticides. Some insecticides, including carbamates and organophosphates such as dichlorvos, malathion and parathion, are nerve agents.

How long do nerve agents last?

Police have said they believe Novichok could remain a threat for up to 50 years if left in a sealed container.

Is sarin a nerve agent?

Sarin is a human-made chemical warfare agent classified as a nerve agent. Nerve agents are the most toxic and rapidly acting of the known chemical warfare agents.

What is the effect of organophosphate insecticide in the body?

Long-term exposure to organophosphates can cause confusion, anxiety, loss of memory, loss of appetite, disorientation, depression, and personality changes. Other symptoms such as weakness, headache, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting also may occur.

How can you prevent organophosphate pesticides?

Consumers who want to avoid organophosphates but can’t afford to go completely organic can take a targeted approach, choosing organic only for fruits and vegetables that tend to have the highest pesticide residues.

What does organophosphate do to the body?

Long after exposure, people also can develop nervous system problems such as muscle weakness and numbness and tingling of the hands and feet (neuropathy). Long-term exposure to organophosphates can cause confusion, anxiety, loss of memory, loss of appetite, disorientation, depression, and personality changes.

How do you reverse organophosphate poisoning?

Current antidotes for OP poisoning consist of a pretreatment with carbamates to protect AChE from inhibition by OP compounds and post-exposure treatments with anti-cholinergic drugs. Anti-cholinergic drugs work to counteract the effects of excess acetylcholine and reactivate AChE.

Is mustard gas a nerve agent?

The main chemical warfare agents are sulfur mustard (mustard gas) and nerve agents such as Sarin and VX. These agents are typically released as a vapor or liquid. During a chemical attack, the greatest danger would come from breathing the vapors.

What are the symptoms of nerve agent exposure?

Regardless of the route of exposure, nerve agents can cause the following characteristic effects:

• pinpoint pupils of the eye.
• excessive production of mucous, tears, saliva and sweat.
• headache.
• stomach pain, nausea and vomiting.
• chest tightness and shortness of breath.
• loss of bladder and bowel control.
• muscle twitching.

How are nerve agents and organophosphate pesticides alike?

Nerve agents are chemical warfare agents that have the same mechanism of action as OP organophosphate pesticides insecticides. They are potent inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase . Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase leads , thereby leading to an accumulation of acetylcholine in…

What kind of pesticide attacks the nervous system?

Organophosphates: A Common But Deadly Pesticide. Organophosphates attack the nervous system in the same way as nerve agents like sarin.

How are organophosphates used in the agricultural sector?

•Organophosphate widely used in agricultural sector as PESTICIDES. •Nerve agents sarin, tabun, soman, VX, VE •Mortality self-poisoning with pesticides: –50-70 % in developing world –0.3 % in developed world

How does organophosphate inhibit acetylcholinesterase in insects?

Organophosphate pesticides (OPPs), like some nerve agents, inhibit acetylcholinesterase (IRAC mode of action 1b), which is broadly essential for normal function in insects, but also in humans and many other animals.