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Related Experiment Videos

Poisoning due to urea herbicides.

Barbara E Watt1, Alex T Proudfoot, Sally M Bradberry

  • 1National Poisons Information Service (Birmingham Centre), City Hospital, Birmingham, UK.

Toxicological Reviews
|January 5, 2006
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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Urea herbicides, while generally safe, can cause severe poisoning, including methaemoglobinaemia, if ingested. Treatment involves supportive care and intravenous methylthioninium chloride (methylene blue) for significant cases.

Area of Science:

  • Agricultural Science
  • Toxicology
  • Environmental Health

Background:

  • Urea herbicides, introduced in 1952, are widely used for weed control in agriculture and non-agricultural settings.
  • These herbicides function by inhibiting photosynthesis.
  • While typically of low acute toxicity, ingestion can lead to severe poisoning.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the toxicological profile of urea herbicides.
  • To highlight the risk of methaemoglobinaemia and haemolysis following urea herbicide ingestion.
  • To outline current treatment strategies for urea herbicide poisoning.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of urea herbicide toxicology.
  • Analysis of documented poisoning cases and their clinical manifestations.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Evaluation of treatment protocols for methaemoglobinaemia.

    • Main Results:

    • Urea herbicides are metabolized into aniline derivatives, which oxidize hemoglobin, causing methaemoglobinaemia (18-80%) and haemolysis.
    • Severe poisoning symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
    • Methylthioninium chloride (methylene blue) is an effective antidote for significant methaemoglobinaemia.

    Conclusions:

    • Urea herbicide poisoning is a serious concern, primarily due to methaemoglobinaemia.
    • Prompt recognition and supportive care are crucial.
    • Intravenous methylthioninium chloride is indicated for severe cases with elevated methaemoglobin levels.