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CHLORINATED HYDROCARBONS

Examples of Commercial Products and Generic Names

BHC
Chlorothalonil(Daconil)
DDT
Endosulfan(Endon, Sialan, Hektionex, Thiodan, Thioluxan,
Endosulfan + Dimethoate(Aflix)
Heptachlor

Pharmacological Action or Site of Toxicity

Hepatotoxic
Neurotoxic
Nephrotoxic

Routes of Absorption

Ingestion Dermal Inhalation (negligible)

WHO Hazard Classification

Class I-111

Symptoms

Onset:

Twenty minutes to four hours after exposure. Nausea, Vomiting, Restlessness, Tremor, Apprehension, Convulsions, Coma, Respiratory Failure, Death.

The Biological and Environmental behaviour of Endosulfan is totally different to Chlorinated hydrocarbons but for medical reasons the compound is grouped on Chlorinated hydrocarbons.

Treatment

  1. Watch breathing closely. Aspirate. Give oxygen and or/artificial respiration if needed.
  2. Diazepam or barbiturates in appropriate dosages repeated as necessary for restlessness or convulsions. (Phenobarbitone (100 mg) or diazepam (10 mg IM or IV), It may be necessary to continue treatment for up to two weeks after poisoning

  3. AVOID OILS, OIL LAXATIVES AND EPINEPHRINE (ADRENALIN). DO NOT GIVE STIMULANTS OR ATROPINE.

  4. Give calcium gluconate (10% in10 ml ampules) intravenously every four hours.
  5. Cholestyramine 4 gm 4 times/day (before meals and bedtime) to accelerate biliary fecal excretion. Prolonged treatment (several weeks) may be needed.
  6. Gastric lavage using activated charcoal (40 gm Charcoal) Chatharsis with 30 gm, sodium sulphate.

  7. DO NOT INDUCE EMESIS IF THE INGESTED POISON IS PRINCIPALLY A HYDROCARBON SOLVENT (e.g. KEROSENE).

  8. If poisoning occurred via dermal route, skin and hair should be decontaminated.
  9. In case of "AFLIX" 2 mg Atropine sulphate IV (to be treated if necessary)

Lab Tests

No simple test.

Only complex laboratory procedures. A high urine level of organic chlorine or especial or p-chlorophenyl acetic acid indicates exposure to DDT or to one of the analogous compounds. The level however is no indicative of the severity of exposure.

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Pakistan Agricultural Pesticides Association

909-910, Park Avenue, P.E.C.H.S.,
Shahrah-e-Faisal,
Karachi-75400

Tel:454 1562 Fax:454 6131