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.

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?

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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