Pesticide exposure affects about 3 million people worldwide and leads to approximately 300,000 deaths each year.

According to a meta-analysis (38 studies; >118,000 children aged <18 years) exposure to pesticides (eg, pyrethroids, fungicides, organochlorine, organophosphate, and indoor metabolites) significantly increased the children's risk for lower respiratory tract infections, asthma, and wheezing by 79% (odds ratio [OR] 1.79 [1.45-2.21]; p<0.001; I2=30%), 24% (OR 1.24 [1.14-1.35]; p<0.001; I2=81%), and 34% (OR 1.34 [1.14-1.57]; p<0.001; I2=79%), respectively.

Ref: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38868160/

Organophosphate (insecticide) Poisoning and Nerve Gas

Same cholinergic symptoms, but Nerve gas is faster and more severe. It can be absorbed through the skin. "DMBELSS syndrome"

1. Defecation
2. Urinary incontinence
3. Muscle weakness, miosis
4. Bradycardia/ bronchospasm
5. Emesis
6. Lacrimation
7. Salivation
8. Seizure

Respiratory arrest if severe

Dx

check RBC cholinesterase levels

Treatment

Protection; removal from source

Atropine

Pralidoxime - reactivates acetylcholinesterase