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Methomyl – toxicity, side effects, diseases and environmental impacts

Thursday, November 23, 2017 by

Methomyl is classified as a carbamate insecticide, and is characterized by its white crystalline solid appearance and slight sulfurous smell. According to a Pub Chem entry, the chemical is used as both insecticide and nematocide. It is primarily used to control various foliar and soil-borne insects that belong to the epidoptera, coleoptera and diptera families. The insecticide is commonly applied to vegetables, tobacco and cotton as well as alfalfa, soy beans and corn.

List of known side effects

Methomyl exposure may occur through various routes including the respiratory tract, digestive tract, and direct skin and eye contact. The toxic insecticide is notoriously harmful to the respiratory tract and may trigger the onset of lung irritation, respiratory muscle paralysis and labored breathing, as well as intense constriction of the lung openings, chest pain and death from discontinued breathing.

An Extension Toxicology Network entry also shows that methomyl exposure may negatively affect cardiovascular health and lead to low blood pressure, decreased pulse rate and heart irregularities. The entry also stresses that the hazardous substance is particularly detrimental to muscle health. According to the article, methomyl poisoning may result in muscle aches and twitching, general weakness, tremor and reduced muscle coordination.

Moreover, the harmful insecticide is known to impact the body’s digestive profile. The entry notes that methomyl ingestion may lead to nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps as well as diarrhea and incontinence. Methomyl exposure is also associated with the onset of severe skin irritation and serious eye conditions such as blurred vision and pinpoint pupils.

Methomyl is particularly detrimental to the environment as well. The hazardous chemical is known to contaminate water sources and impact both aquatic ecosystems and animals. The insecticide is also found to contaminate the soil and groundwater. Likewise, experts caution that the insecticide is highly toxic to birds and other insects.

Body systems affected by methomyl

Methomyl is particularly harmful to the respiratory tract. Likewise, the toxic insecticide may negatively affect both the digestive tract and muscular system. The harmful chemical is also known to compromise the cardiovascular profile and impact both skin and eye health.

Items that can contain methomyl

An entry posted on the Pesticide Properties DataBase website reveals that methomyl is a primary ingredient in many commercial insecticides such as Methomyl 20SC, Lannate and Lanox as well as Nudrin and Metofan. The insecticide is available in both liquid and powder formulations.

How to avoid methomyl

A safety data sheet released by the Environmental Protection Authority of New Zealand recommends wearing protective clothing and eye equipment to prevent direct chemical exposure. Likewise, the safety guidelines suggest wearing protective masks and installing adequate ventilation in order to reduce the risk of insecticide inhalation. The guidelines also advise that people exposed to the chemical seek immediate medical attention.

Where to learn more

Summary

Methomyl may cause lung irritation, respiratory muscle paralysis and labored breathing.

Methomyl triggers lung opening constriction, chest pain and death from discontinued breathing.

Methomyl exposure leads to low blood pressure, decreased pulse rate and heart irregularities.

Methomyl raises the odds of muscle aches, general weakness and reduced muscle coordination.

Methomyl also causes digestive woes, skin irritation, blurred vision and pinpoint pupils.

Methomyl is detrimental to both the respiratory tract and cardiovascular health.

Methomyl negatively affects the digestive tract, muscles, skin and eyes.

 

Sources include:

PubChem.NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov

ExToxNet.Orst.edu

Sitem.Herts.ac.uk

WorkSafe.Govt.nz



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