Paraquat 1065741 224031010 2008-07-07T00:28:58Z Thijs!bot 1392310 robot Adding: [[pt:Paraquat]] {{for|the British military operation to recapture South Georgia|Operation Paraquat}} {{Chembox new | ImageFile = Paraquat-3D-balls.png | ImageFile1 = Paraquat.png | ImageSize = | IUPACName = 1,1'-dimethyl-4,4'-bipyridinium dichloride | OtherNames = paraquat dichloride; methyl viologen dichloride; Crisquat; Dexuron; Esgram; Gramuron; Ortho Paraquat CL; Para-col; Pillarxone; Tota-col; Toxer Total; PP148; Cyclone; Gramixel; Gramoxone; Pathclear; AH 501. | Section1 = {{Chembox Identifiers | CASNo = 1910-42-5 | PubChem = | SMILES = [Cl-].[Cl-].C[n+]1ccc(cc1)c2cc[n+](C)cc2 | InChI=1/C12H14N2.2ClH/c1-<br/>13-7-3-11(4-8-13)12-<br/>5-9-14(2)10-6-12;;/<br/>h3-10H,1-2H3;2*1H/<br/>q+2;;/p-2/fC12H14N2.2Cl/<br/>h;2*1h/qm;2*-1 }} | Section2 = {{Chembox Properties | Formula = C<sub>12</sub>H<sub>14</sub>Cl<sub>2</sub>N<sub>2</sub> | MolarMass = 257.16 g/mol | Appearance = off-white powder | Density = 1.25 g/cm<sup>3</sup>, solid | MeltingPt = 175 - 180 °C <ref name=ipcs>{{cite web | title = Paraquat dichloride | date = October 2001 | url = http://www.inchem.org/documents/icsc/icsc/eics0005.htm | publisher = International Programme on Chemical Safety}}</ref> | BoilingPt = > 300 °C <ref name = ipcs/> | Solubility = high }} | Section3 = {{Chembox Hazards | MainHazards = Toxic | FlashPt = | Autoignition = }} }} '''Paraquat''' is the trade name for '''N,N'-Dimethyl-4,4'-bipyridinium dichloride''', a [[viologen]]. Paraquat is used as a quaternary ammonium [[herbicide]]. It is dangerously poisonous to humans if swallowed. Other members of this class include [[diquat]], [[cyperquat]], [[diethamquat]], [[difenzoquat]], and [[morfamquat]]. All of these are easily reduced to the radical ion, which generates [[superoxide]] radical that reacts with unsaturated membrane [[lipid]]s. ==History== Paraquat was first produced for commercial purposes in [[1961]] by [[Imperial Chemical Industries|ICI]] (now [[Syngenta]]) and is today among the most commonly used herbicides. The [[European Union]] allowed Paraquat in 2004. Sweden, supported by Denmark, Austria, and Finland, brought the European Union commission to court. On 11 July 2007 the court annulled the directive authorising Paraquat as an active plant protection substance.<ref>COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, [http://curia.europa.eu/en/actu/communiques/cp07/aff/cp070045en.pdf PRESS RELEASE No° 45/07]</ref> ==Herbicide use== The compound is one of the most widely used herbicides in the world. It is quick-acting, non-selective, and kills green plant tissue on contact. It is redistributed within the plant but does not harm mature bark. Being a herbicide, paraquat protects crops by controlling a wide range of annual and certain perennial [[weed]]s that reduce crop yield and quality by competing with the crop for water, nutrients, and light. The key characteristics that distinguish the non-selective contact herbicide paraquat from other active ingredients used in plant protection products are: *Paraquat is non-selective, which means it kills a wide range of annual [[grass]]es and broad-leaved weeds and the tops of established perennial weeds. *Paraquat is very fast-acting. *Paraquat is rain-fast within minutes of application. *Paraquat becomes biologically inactive upon contact with soil.<ref>Revkin, A. C. 1983. Paraquat: A potent weed killer is killing people. Science Digest 91(6):36-38, 42, 100-104.</ref> In the [[United States]], paraquat is available primarily as a liquid in various strengths. It is classified as "restricted use," which means that it can be used only by licensed applicators. As with many chemicals, caution must be exercised during use. In the [[European Union]], paraquat has been forbidden since July 11th 2007. ==Health risks== Pure paraquat ingested is highly toxic to mammals and humans potentially leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and there are no specific antidotes. However, [[fuller's earth]] or [[activated charcoal]] is an effective treatment, if taken in time. Death may occur up to 30 days after ingestion. Diluted paraquat used for spraying is less so, thus the greatest risk of accidental poisoning is during mixing and loading paraquat for use.<ref>[[PAN UK]], [http://www.pan-uk.org/pestnews/actives/paraquat.htm Paraquat], accessed 13 October 2006.</ref> <blockquote> ''In acute toxicity studies using laboratory animals, paraquat has been shown to be highly toxic by the inhalation route and has been placed in Toxicity Category I (the highest of four levels) for acute inhalation effects. However, the EPA has determined that particles used in agricultural practices (400 to 800 μm) are well beyond the respirable range and therefore inhalation toxicity is not a toxicological endpoint of concern. Paraquat is toxic (Category II) by the oral route and moderately toxic (Category III) by the dermal route. Paraquat will cause moderate to severe eye irritation and minimal dermal irritation, and has been placed in Toxicity Categories II and IV (slightly toxic) for these effects.''<ref>[[EPA]], [http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/REDs/factsheets/0262fact.pdf], accessed 16 August 2007.</ref> </blockquote> Even a single swig immediately spat out can cause death from fibrous tissue developing in the lungs leading to asphyxiation.<ref>{{cite book |author=Buzik, Shirley C.; Schiefer, H. Bruno; Irvine, Donald G. |title=Understanding Toxicology: Chemicals, Their Benefits and Risks |publisher=CRC Press |location=Boca Raton |year=1997 |pages=31 |isbn=0-8493-2686-9 |oclc= |doi=}}</ref> According to the [[Center for Disease Control]], ingesting paraquat causes [[symptom]]s such as [[liver]], [[lung]], [[heart]], and [[kidney]] failure within '''several days''' to '''several weeks''' that could lead to death up to 30 days after ingestion. Those who suffer large exposures are unlikely to survive. Chronic exposure can lead to lung damage, kidney failure, heart failure, and [[oesophageal]] strictures.<ref>[[Center for Disease Control]], [http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/paraquat/basics/facts.asp Facts about Paraquat], accessed 13 October 2006.</ref> Accidental deaths and suicides from paraquat ingestion are relatively common. For example, there have been 18 deaths in Australia from paraquat poisoning since 2000.<ref>"Poisoned Latrobe," Gary Stevens, ''Valley Express'' Feb. 8, 2008.</ref> Paraquat-induced toxicity in rats has also been linked to [[Parkinson's]]-like pathological degenerative mechanisms.<ref>{{cite journal | author = K. Ossowska, M. S'Mialowska, K. Kuter, J. Wieron'ska, B. Zieba, J. Wardas, P. Nowak, J. Dabrowska, A. Bortel, I. Biedka, G. Schulze and H. Rommelspacher | title = Degeneration of dopaminergic mesocortical neurons and activation of compensatory processes induced by a long-term paraquat administration in rats: Implications for Parkinson's disease | year = 2006 | journal = [[Neuroscience]] | volume = 141 | issue = 4 | pages = 2155–2165 | doi = 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2006.05.039}}</ref> A study by the Buck Institute shows a connection between exposure to paraquat and iron in infancy and mid-life Parkinson's in laboratory mice.<ref>{{cite press release | publisher = Buck Institute for Aging Research | url = http://www.buckinstitute.org/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=428 | title = Combined Exposure to Environmental Toxics Accelerates Age-related Development of Parkinson's Disease in Mice | date = June 2007}}</ref> Long term exposures to paraquat would most likely cause lung and eye damage, but reproductive/fertility damage was not found by the EPA in their review. Some suspect a possible link to a greater incidence of [[Parkinson's disease]]. ==Use as a Suicide Agent== A '''large majority''' (93%) of fatalities from paraquat poisoning are cases of intentional self-administration, ie, suicides. In third world countries, paraquat is a "major suicide agent" (''Dinham, B. 1996: Active Ingredient fact sheet, Paraquat, in: PAN UK: Pesticide News No. 32, p. 20-1: http://www.pan-uk.org/pestnews/actives/paraquat.htm, 24.06.2003''). For instance, in Samoa from 1979-2001, 70% of suicides were by paraquat poisoning. In Southern Trinidad from 1996-1997, 76% of suicides were by paraquat. ''Reference:'' www.pan-germany.org/download/fact_paraquat2.pdf The reason paraquat is such a widely used suicide agent in third-world countries is due to its widespread availability, low toxic dose (10 mLs or 2 teaspoons is enough to kill) and relative cheapness. There are campaigns to control or even ban paraquat outright, and there are moves to restrict its availability by requiring user education and the locking up of paraquat stores. ==Emergency care== Persons exposed to or contaminated by paraquat, with any suspected ingestion or absorption, should be treated by emergency medical services immediately. Prehospital care should follow these guidelines: <ref>{{cite book | last = Halpin | first = Ted | coauthors = Eric Hallman, Ellen Abend, Tonya Van Slyke | title = Cornell Farmedic Training Program Student Manual | year = 2005 | location = Ithaca, NY | publisher = Cornell University Press}}</ref> * Remove patient from further contact with substance. * Decontaminate with large volumes of water; remove patient's clothing. * Avoid secondary contamination by contact either with substance or runoff from decontamination efforts. * Establish and maintain a patent airway. * The administration of supplemental [[oxygen]] is advised against; however, prudent patient care dictates that oxygen should not be withheld from persons exhibiting clinical signs and [[symptoms]] of [[hypoxia (medical)|hypoxia]]. [[Emergency medical services]] personnel should consult with their medical control [[physician]] for specific case-by-case guidance. * Provide supportive treatment as indicated. * Consider evacuation to an appropriate [[hospital]] by [[helicopter]]; if air evacuation is not available, expedite transport by ground [[ambulance]]. * In the case of contamination of the eye, irrigate the affected eye with [[normal saline]] solution for at least 15 minutes. ==Paraquat Pot== During the late 1960s, a controversial program sponsored by the US government sprayed paraquat on [[cannabis (drug)|marijuana]] fields in South America. Since much of this marijuana was subsequently smoked by Americans, the US government's "Paraquat Pot" program stirred much debate. Perhaps in an attempt to deter people from using marijuana, representatives of the program warned that spraying rendered the crop unsafe to smoke. However, independent bodies have studied paraquat in this use. Jenny Pronczuk de Garbino, <ref>Pronczuk de Garbino J, ''Epidemiology of paraquat poisoning'', in: Bismuth C, and Hall AH (eds), <u>Paraquat Poisoning: Mechanisms, Prevention, Treatment</u>, pp. 37-51, New York: Marcel Dekker, 1995.</ref> stated: "no lung or other injury in marijuana users has ever been attributed to Paraquat contamination". On this topic, D.P. Morgan states in a [[United States Environmental Protection Agency]] publication that: "Smoking Paraquat-contaminated [[cannabis (drug)|marijuana]] does not result in lung damage as the herbicide is pyrolyzed to [[dipyridyl]] (which does not present a toxic hazard) during smoking". <ref> Reigart, J. Routt and Roberts, James R. <u>Recognition and Management of Pesticide Poisonings</u>, 5th edition. Washington, DC: [[United States Environmental Protection Agency]], 1999. [http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/safety/healthcare/handbook/handbook.pdf Book available online]</ref> == References == <references/> ==External links== * {{cite web | url = http://physchem.ox.ac.uk/MSDS/PA/paraquat.html | title = Safety (MSDS) data for paraquat | publisher = [[Oxford University]]}} * {{cite web | publisher = [[European Public Health Alliance]] | url = http://www.epha.org/a/1050 | title = Sweden announces legal challenge to EU position on paraquat | date = 8 March 2004}} * {{cite web | url = http://www.evb.ch/en/f25000087.html | publisher = [[The Berne Declaration]] | title = Stop Paraquat}} * {{cite web | url = http://www.paraquat.com | title = The Paraquat Information Center | publisher = Syngenta Crop Protection AG}} [[Category:Quaternary ammonium compounds]] [[Category:Herbicides]] [[cs:Paraquat]] [[da:Paraquat]] [[de:Paraquat]] [[es:Paraquat]] [[fr:Paraquat]] [[gl:Paraquat]] [[ko:파라콰트]] [[it:Paraquat]] [[nl:Paraquat]] [[ja:パラコート]] [[pl:Parakwat]] [[pt:Paraquat]] [[ru:Паракват]] [[sv:Parakvat]]