Friday 11 March 2016

Overdose of insecticides can cause death, Physician warns


Dr Okezie Emenike, an Abuja based physician, said that over usage of insecticides and fumes could lead to life threatening diseases. 

Emenike said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja. According to him, there are different types of insecticides marketed for killing insects which are harmful to humans, if administered in high quantity. 

He noted that all pesticides were poisonous but advised that there should be a thorough evaluation of its risks as well as steps to minimise the risk of exposure before usage. 

“Although some insecticide chemicals are harmless in small doses, sufficient quantities can be extremely harmful to humans as well as animals.

“Poisoning from insecticides can cause seizures, heart arrhythmia, coma and shock. “It can also lead to respiratory failure, death in children and pets if they accidentally eat step in or rub against an insecticide in high dose contamination. 

“It can cause chronic conditions; women are at greater risk of developing autoimmune disorders, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis if exposed to overdose of insecticides. 

“Pesticides disrupts the regulation of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the brain, it can affect the nervous system by disrupting an enzyme that regulates acetylcholine a neurotransmitter. 

“Pesticides are also toxic to the nervous system; these insecticide chemicals can cause a number of different symptoms in humans, animals owing to their neurotoxicity. 

“It can cause excessive salivation, tearing and urination, diarrhoea, muscle weakness, twitching and difficulty breathing,’’ he stated.

Besides, the medic advised that insecticides be used in small doses in order to reduce risk associated with it.

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