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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

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.

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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.

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  • 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.