Organophosphate

Organophosphate Latest News

Recently, doctors treating patients from J&K’s Baddal village said that organophosphate could be behind the 17 deaths that had spread panic in the village. 

About Organophosphate

• It is a chemical that is used in pesticides and insecticides.
• Organophosphates are efficiently absorbed by inhalation and ingestion.
• These are chemical compounds formed through the esterification process involving phosphoric acid and alcohol.
• These are generally used to protect crops from pests and even to control the spread of disease by insects and have extensive application in manufacturing plastics and solvents.

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Impact of Organophosphate on Human Health

• They work by disrupting the transmission of nerve signals in exposed organisms with fatal. Certain organophosphates have caused a different kind of neurotoxicity consisting of damage to the afferent fibers of peripheral and central nerves and associated with inhibition of “neuropathy target esterase”.

What is Esterification?

• It is a chemical reaction in which two reactants such as alcohol and acid combine to create an ester as the reaction product.

Organophosphate FAQs

Q1: What is organophosphate used for?

Ans: Primary components in herbicides, pesticides, and insecticides 

Q2: What are examples of organophosphate drugs?

Ans: Malathion, Sarin and VX 

Q3: What is the antidote for organophosphate?

Ans: Atropine and pralidoxime

Q4: What is the advantage of using organophosphate insecticides?

Ans: It is safe for use on crops and animals due to their relatively fast degradation rates.

Source: IE