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Glyphosate herbicide formulation: a potentially lethal ingestion.
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Geelong Hospital, Geelong, Victoria, Australia. julianst@barwonhealth.org.au
Emergency Medicine Australasia : EMA
|July 2, 2004
Summary
Glyphosate surfactant herbicide (GlySH) poisoning is rare but can be fatal, even with prompt medical care. Severe toxicity, marked by pulmonary edema, acidosis, and hyperkalemia, indicates a poor prognosis.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Glyphosate surfactant herbicide (GlySH) is commonly used but its toxicity is considered uncommon.
- Suicidal ingestion of GlySH is a rare but potentially lethal event.
Observation:
- This report details two fatalities from suicidal GlySH ingestion.
- Both cases demonstrated severe poisoning despite early medical intervention.
Findings:
- Severe GlySH toxicity can be refractory to intensive supportive care.
- The presence of pulmonary edema, metabolic acidosis, and hyperkalemia indicates a poor prognosis.
- GlySH toxicity does not involve organophosphate-like effects despite a carbon-phosphorus bond.
Implications:
- Clinicians should be aware of the potential lethality of GlySH, especially in cases of ingestion.
- A proposed clinical guide can aid in assessing GlySH toxicity severity.
- Understanding treatment modalities is crucial for managing severe cases.