Toxicology of Parathion


 Treatment of Parathion Poisoning
 Atropine is a specific drug for the treatment of parathion
poisoning. It has a specific action in correcting the muscarinic
symptoms such as nausea, visual difficulty and excessive sweat-
ing and salivation. It has no effect upon the symptoms of the
central nervous system or the so-called nicotinic effects of para-
thion. If a man becomes sick in the field give two atropine
sulfate tablets (1/100 grain per tablet) by mouth and rush him
to a hospital. A physician should administer treatment. In
cases of severe poisoning the use of oxygen tents and artificial
respiration have been helpful. Morphine is contra-indicated.

 Summary
 Parathion was first tested in Florida in 1947. Parathion de-
stroys cholinesterase when absorbed into body tissues. The
pharmocology of this phenomenon is described in detail. Symp-
toms of parathion poisoning such as nausea, tightness in the
chest, constricted pupils, etc., as they have been reported in
the literature and as they have been observed in Florida are
discussed. Complete recommendations for handling parathion in
citrus groves include wearing approved respirators; changing
clothes daily; taking a bath at the end of a day's work; wearing
protective clothing such as a hat, rubber boots and rubber gloves;
and taking a pre-employment medical examination. It is sug-
gested that picking and pruning be performed no closer than
14 days to the time of spraying a grove with parathion.

 Literature Cited
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 action of fluorophosphates. Brit. Jour. Pharmacol. and Chemo-
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 1950.
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 recovery from di-isopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP) poisoning. Am.
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