Monocrotophos--worker safety

Monitoring data on field-worker exposure studies show that prolonged or continued use of monocrotophos in plant protection may lead to significant dermal exposure with an impact on cholinesterase activity. Although oral uptake (suicide) is more hazardous than dermal exposure (spray work), both exposure routes may be potentially fatal. On the other hand, prompt therapy is successful even after a heavy oral dose. The epidemiological review did not reveal a prominent risk scenario. Justification of monocrotophos use depends on agricultural need and appropriate safety measures. Eighteen cases of monocrotophos poisoning have been identified in the literature and from the manufacturer's case file. Seven cases were occupational, and nine resulted from suicide attempts. One case was a nonprofessional accident, and one was recorded without details. Further monocrotophos poisoning cases may be concealed in the unspecified data on poisoning among tropical farming communities. However, the fact remains, that only a small number of reliably reported poisoning cases are attributable to monocrotophos products, and the reports confirm the efficacy of basic medical attention to poisoning. This is in contrast to the high hazard classification and to the high perceived hazard of the products in question. Safetywise, monocrotophos appears to be better than its reputation. A level of safety precautions normally recommended for pesticide work is sufficient, even under large-scale professional use conditions, to utilize monocrotophos safely.