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Document ID (ISN)103160
CIS number 04-81
ISSN - Serial title 0731-3810 - Journal of Toxicology - Clinical Toxicology
Year 2004
Convention or series no.
Author(s) Dewan A., Bhatnagar V.K., Mathur M.L., Chakma T., Kashyap R., Sadhu H.G., Sinha S.N., Saiyed H.N.
Title Repeated episodes of endosulfan poisoning
Bibliographic information June 2004, Vol.42, No.4, p.363-369. Illus. 15 ref.
Abstract A number of families in a rural area of India were affected by repeated episodes of convulsive illness over a period of three weeks. The aim of this investigation was to determine the cause of the illness. It included interviews of affected families, discussions with treating physicians, and examination of hospital records. Food samples were also collected and analysed with GC-ECD. 36 persons of all age groups presented convulsive illness symptoms of varying severity over a period of three weeks, including three fatalities among children. Subsequently, patients responded well to medical treatment. Infective aetiology was ruled out. Blood and food samples showed presence of endosulfan, which was confirmed by GC-MS. One of the food items prepared from wheat flour was found to contain 676ppm of α-endosulfan. This report highlights the unsafe behaviour of many illiterate villagers who use empty pesticide containers for food storage.
Descriptors (primary) India; food contamination; endosulfan; pesticide poisoning
Descriptors (secondary) safety consciousness; children; symptoms; convulsions; hospitals; developing countries; fatalities; sampling and analysis; determination in blood; medical treatment; unsafe practices
Document type D - Periodical articles
Country / State or ProvinceIndia
Subject(s) Agriculture, fishing, animal husbandry
Broad subject area(s) Chemical safety
Occupational medicine, epidemiology
Browse category(ies) Heterocyclic compounds
Environmental pollution