Toxic Pesticide Drift- A Study of 20 Cases

This study of 20 cases of accidental organophosphates poisoning while spraying pesticide, is an observational study of consecutive such cases that were admitted under General Medicine units of our tertiary care Government hospital over 5 months.95 % patients had a mild to moderate form of illness from which they recovered. One patient however succumbed. The common factors were that (i) none of the patients had worn proper protective gear and (ii) all the patients developed toxic effects of the pesticide spray while spraying BT cotton plants, that were almost as tall as themselves. While spraying the tops of these plants, the spray may have directly drifted on to the face of the farmer due to wind. Airborne movement of a pesticide to unintended targets is called pesticide drift. This can pollute soil, water and crops. The immediate adverse result is, toxic effects on the person who is spraying the pesticide.