What is an organophosphate?

Chemically, organophosphates (OP) are usually esters (R-CO₂-R), amides (R-NH2), or thiol (R-SH) derivatives of phosphonic acid (H3O3P). Organophosphate is widely used in agriculture as insecticides, veterinary and human medications , lubricants, plasticisers, and flame- retardants. The worst use of all is for chemical warfare as nerve agents.

Structure of Ester

What happens if someone gets sick from an organophosphate?

Symptoms of mild organophosphate poisonin g may include the following:

• chest tightness
• shortness of breath
• Running nose
• Nausea
• vomiting
• stomach cramps
• muscle twitching
• confusion

The Three Phases of OP Poisoning

After an exposure to an OP agent the clinical syndrome progresses through three well defined phases: Initial Cholinergic Phase, Intermediate Syndrome and Delayed Polyneuropathy phase.

The first stage is known as the Initial Cholinergic Phase. This first phase is a medical emergency that requires rapid treatment. how do we identify this initial cholinergic phase?This phase is marked by an increase in nasal, oral, lacrimal, and bronchial secretions, bronchoconstriction, sweating, vomiting and GI distress with increased motility and cramping. During this phase you can also see muscle fasciculations, which can progress to flaccid paralysis if acetylcholine accumulates in the nicotinic sites at the neuromuscular junctions. initial cholinergic phase usually lead to Death due to the cardiac effects that occur. Bradycardia and other arrhythmias can occur in combination with respiratory depression and CNS depression. This phase generally lasts from 24- 48 hours.

Intermediate Syndrome

The second phase is the intermediate syndrome and is characterized by the onset of muscle weakness. The muscle weakness affects respiratory muscles, such as the diaphragm.

Delayed Polyneuropathy Phase

The third and final phase is the delayed polyneuropathy phase. This usually sets 7-14 days post-exposure. This phase result in symmetrical muscle weakness in the periphery.

What is the treatment for organophosphate poisoning?

• Prevention of illness after contact: Leave the area and move to a new place !
  

• Remove clothing.

• Quickly take off clothing that may have the chemical on it. Try to becareful and not letting ur eyes,mouth and nose in contact with OP. if you are helping ur fren to take off the clothes, try not to touch the contaminated area.
  

• Wash affected areas.

• wash any chemical from the skin with lots of soap and water As quickly as possible.
• If the eyes are burning or vision is blurred, rinse your eyes with plain water for 10 to 15 minutes.
• If contact lenses are worn, throw them away and dont wear them back. If eyeglasses are worn, wash them with soap and water.
  
• If you are wearing jewelry that you can wash with soap and water, wash it and put it back on. If not,throw it away.
  

• Discard contaminated items.

• put all the contaminated stuff into a plastic bag and sealed them properly.
• if possible , contact the incharge department and they will send ppl here to collect the contaminent from you
• CAUTION: DO NOT THROW THE CONTAMINENT YOURSELF!!

• Treatment of illness: If an organophosphate is ingested, the person’s stomach may be pumped at a hospital. Other times, the person is given activated charcoal to drink. Activated charcoal binds with the poison in the body to help the body to pass out the poison naturally.
  

Hospitals and other health care experts have medicines that reverse the effects of organophosphate poisonings.

Is there a vaccine for organophosphate poisoning?

No, there is no vaccine for organophosphate poisoning.

Reference :

1. http://qjmed.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/97/2/75
2. http://www.abcbirds.org/abcprograms/policy/pesticides/Profiles/fenamiphos.html