Parathion
Parathion, also called parathion-ethyl or diethyl parathion and locally known as "Folidol", is an organophosphate insecticide and acaricide. It was originally developed by IG Farben in the 1940s. It is highly toxic to non-target organisms, including humans, so its use has been banned or restricted in most countries.
Wikipedia
Only banned early 2002 in say Switzerland......
Parathion is a
cholinesterase inhibitor. It generally disrupts the
nervous system by inhibiting
acetylcholinesterase. It is absorbed via skin, mucous membranes, and orally. Absorbed parathion is rapidly metabolized to paraoxon, as described in
Insecticidal activity. Paraoxon exposure can result in
headaches,
convulsions, poor vision,
vomiting, abdominal pain, severe
diarrhea,
unconsciousness,
tremor,
dyspnea, and finally
lung-edema as well as respiratory arrest. Symptoms of poisoning are known to last for extended periods, sometimes months. The most common and very specific antidote is
atropine, in doses of up to 100 mg daily. Because atropine may also be toxic, it is recommended that small frequently repeated doses be used in treatment. If human poisoning is detected early and the treatment is prompt (atropine and artificial respiration), fatalities are infrequent. Insufficient oxygen will lead to
cerebral hypoxia and permanent brain damage.
Peripheral neuropathy including
paralysis is noticed as late
sequelae after recovery from acute intoxication. Parathion and related organophosphorus pesticides are used in hundreds of thousands of poisonings annually, especially suicides.
[9] It is known as
Schwiegermuttergift (mother-in-law poison) in Germany. For this reason, most formulations contain a blue dye providing warning.
Parathion was used as a
chemical warfare agent, most notably by an element of the
British South Africa Police (BSAP) attached to the
Selous Scouts during the
Rhodesian Bush War. They used it to poison clothing that was then supplied to anti-government guerrillas. When the enemy soldiers put on the clothes, they were poisoned by absorption through the skin.
[10][11][12]
Based on animal studies, parathion is considered by the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to be a possible human
carcinogen.
[13] Studies show that parathion is toxic to fetuses, but does not cause birth defects.
[14]
It is classified by the
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as a
persistent organic pollutant[
citation needed] and by the
World Health Organization (WHO) as
Toxicity Class Ia (extremely hazardous).[
citation needed]
Parathion is toxic to
bees,
fish,
birds, and other forms of wildlife.
[14]
