Glyphosate poisoning with acute pulmonary edema

Abstract

GlySH-surfactant herbicide (GlySH), one of the most commonly used herbicides worldwide, has been considered as minimally toxic to humans. However, clinical toxicologists occasionally encounter cases of severe systemic toxicity. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that ‘GlySH’ is of relatively low oral and acute dermal toxicity. It does not have anticholinesterase effect and no organophosphate-like central nervous system (CNS) effects. The clinical features range from skin and throat irritation to hypotension and death. Severe GlySH-surfactant poisoning is manifested by gastroenteritis, respiratory disturbances, altered mental status, hypotension refractory to the treatment, renal failure, and shock.[1] GlySH intoxication has a case fatality rate 3.2–29.3%. Pulmonary toxicity and renal toxicity seem to be responsible for mortality. Metabolic acidosis, abnormal chest X-ray, arrhythmias, and elevated serum creatinine levels are useful prognostic factors for predicting GlySH mortality.[2] There is no antidote and the mainstay of treatment for systemic toxicity is decontamination and aggressive supportive therapy.We report a case of acute pulmonary edema, which is a rare but severe manifestation of oral GlySH poisoning, where patient survived with aggressive supportive therapy.

Chemical Pesticides and Human Health: The Urgent Need for a New Concept in Agriculture

“…Within a human or animal body, pesticides may be metabolized, excreted, stored, or bioaccumulated in body fat ( 1 , 2 , 13 ). The numerous negative health effects that have been associated with chemical pesticides include, among other effects, dermatological, gastrointestinal, neurological, carcinogenic, respiratory, reproductive, and endocrine effects ( 1 , 2 , 8 , 10 , 14 – 30 ). Furthermore, high occupational, accidental, or intentional exposure to pesticides can result in hospitalization and death ( 1 , 31 ).…”

Successful extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support for severe acute diquat and glyphosate poisoning

“…The combined poisoning with diquat and glyphosate may cause severe mucosal damage including edema and hemorrhage. [4,5,17,21] Central nervous system symptoms include coma, epileptic seizures, and hemorrhage. [4,22] Shock and malignant arrhythmia may also occur in some cases.…”

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“…Diversos estudios reportan los efectos negativos para la salud asociados a la exposición laboral a los plaguicidas, entre éstos: efectos dermatológicos, gastrointestinales, neurológicos, carcinógenos, respiratorios, reproductivos y endócrinos (Alewu & Nosiri, 2011;Thakur et al, 2014).…”

“…The low rate of medical attention shows an under-registration of cases on intoxication, which has been previously documented (Cortés-Genchi et al, 2008). Several studies report the negative health effects associated with occupational exposure to pesticides, including: dermatological, gastrointestinal, neurological, carcinogenic, respiratory, reproductive and endocrine effects (Alewu & Nosiri, 2011;Thakur et al, 2014). Some recurring statements referred to producers' perception of susceptibility to pesticides and the generation of "resistance" among the exposed population are: "They (referring to pests) become resistant and we do the same", "It kind of affects at the beginning, but as time goes by the body gets used to it", "Whoever is allergic gets allergies, and whoever is not will not get it", "If it is going to affect me no matter what I do is OK, because I am already affected".…”