Paraquat is a highly toxic herbicide used to control weeds and desiccate crops. It can cause severe poisoning through ingestion, skin contact, or inhalation, affecting organs like the heart, liver, and lungs. Despite its toxicity, it is still used in countries like the US and India, with strict regulations in place.
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A 24-year-old woman was sentenced to death by a Thiruvananthapuram court for poisoning her boyfriend in 2022 with paraquat, a chemical herbicide.
Paraquat, also known as paraquat dichloride, is a highly toxic non-selective herbicide widely used to control weeds and desiccate crops like cotton.
It is classified as a Category 2 (moderately hazardous and moderately irritating) chemical by the WHO.
Despite its toxicity, it remains in use in countries like the US and India.
Paraquat poisoning happens through ingestion, lengthy skin contact or inhalation can also lead to exposure.
The chemical causes damage by directly affecting the lining of the mouth, stomach, and intestines, spreading to the lungs, liver, and kidneys.
If ingested in small amounts, symptoms develop over time, leading to damage to organs like the heart, kidneys, liver, and lungs.
In large doses, poisoning can cause severe symptoms like acute kidney failure, heart issues, respiratory failure, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, nausea, and seizures.
There are no known antidotes for paraquat poisoning. Immediate treatment involves activated charcoal or Fuller’s earth to bind the chemical, followed by hospital care.
Its sale is banned in over 70 countries, including China and the European Union, due to its potent toxicity. However, it is widely used in the US and in India.
In the US, paraquat is restricted to licensed commercial users. In India, its use is governed by the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIBRC), under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
The Insecticides Act of 1968 authorises the manufacture, sale, storage, transport, and distribution of insecticides, including herbicides like paraquat. However, misuse is still common, with untrained individuals handling the chemical improperly.
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q.Consider the following statements about the Paraquat poisoning: 1. It refers to severe toxicity caused by exposure to the fungicide paraquat. 2. There is no known specific antidote for paraquat poisoning. Which of the above statements is/are correct? A) 1 only B) 2 only C) Both 1 and 2 D) Neither 1 nor 2 Answer: B Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect: Paraquat is classified as a herbicide, meaning it is used to kill unwanted plants (weeds), not fungi which would be controlled by a fungicide. Statement 2 is correct: There is no known antidote for paraquat poisoning. Immediate actions include swallowing activated charcoal to prevent the chemical from spreading further in the body. |
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