Paraquat poisoning

Paraquat (dipyridylium) is a highly toxic weed killer (herbicide). In the past, the United States encouraged Mexico to use it to destroy marijuana plants. Later, research showed this herbicide was dangerous to workers who applied it to the plants. This article discusses poisoning caused by breathing in or swallowing paraquat.

This article is for information only. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual poison exposure. If you or someone you are with has an exposure, call the local emergency number (such as 911), or the local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States.

Poisonous Ingredient

Paraquat (a bipyridyl compound)

Where Found

Paraquat is found in certain commercial herbicides used for weed control. In the United States, it is classified as a restricted-use chemical, meaning that only licensed individuals can purchase and apply it.

Symptoms

Symptoms of paraquat poisoning include:

• Burns and pain in the throat
• Choking
• Coma (lack of responsiveness)
• Difficulty breathing

  Difficulty breathing

  Breathing difficulty may involve:Difficult breathing Uncomfortable breathingFeeling like you are not getting enough air

  

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• Nosebleed
• Seizures

  Seizures

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• Shock (extremely low blood pressure)

  Shock

  Shock is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body is not getting enough blood flow. Lack of blood flow means the cells and organs do n...

  

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• Stomach pain
• Vomiting, including vomiting blood

Severe exposure can cause:

• Lung damage leading to pulmonary fibrosis (paraquat lung)
• Liver and kidney failure
• Damage to the esophagus and stomach

Before Calling Emergency

Have the following information ready:

• The person's age, weight, and condition
• The name of the product and ingredients (take the container if possible)
• The time and amount of exposure

Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.

Poison Control

The local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

Local poison control center

For a POISON EMERGENCY call:1-800-222-1222ANYWHERE IN THE UNITED STATESThis national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. This ...

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This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You can also get online poison help now at Poisonhelp.org. Just enter the product, poison, or medicine to get expert help.

What to Expect at the Emergency Room

Your health care provider will measure and monitor your vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Tests that may be done include:

• Blood and urine tests
• Chest x-ray
• Electrocardiogram (ECG)

  Electrocardiogram

  An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart.

  

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• Bronchoscopy (tube through the mouth and throat) to view any lung damage

  Bronchoscopy

  Bronchoscopy is a test to view the airways and diagnose lung disease. It may also be used during the treatment of some lung conditions.

  

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• Endoscopy (tube through the mouth and throat) to look for any damage to the esophagus and stomach

  Endoscopy

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Treatment may include:

• Activated charcoal (if ingestion was recent)
• Breathing support (oxygen or mechanical ventilation)
• IV fluids
• Medicines to manage symptoms
• Hemoperfusion (blood filtration through charcoal) in severe cases

Outlook (Prognosis)

The outcome depends on the amount of paraquat absorbed. Ingestion of even a small amount can be fatal. People with mild exposure may recover fully, but those who swallow the poison often develop fatal organ damage.

Breathing in paraquat may cause lung damage. Long-term exposure to paraquat may cause scarring of the lungs called pulmonary fibrosis. This makes it hard to breathe.

Paraquat causes damage to the body when it touches the lining of the mouth, stomach, or intestines. Paraquat may also damage the kidneys, liver, and esophagus (the tube that food goes down from your mouth to your stomach).

If paraquat is swallowed, death can quickly occur. Death may occur from a hole in the esophagus, or from severe inflammation of the area that surrounds the major blood vessels and airways in the middle of the chest (mediastinum).