What are organophosphates?
Organophosphates – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf Organophosphates (OP) are chemical substances produced by the process of esterification between phosphoric acid and alcohol. Organophosphates can undergo hydrolysis with the liberation of alcohol from the ester bond. These chemicals are the main components of herbicides, pesticides, and insecticides.
What is the clinical significance of nerve gas and organophosphate pesticides (OPP)?
From the clinical perspective, OPs are of interest because of the toxicity produced from exposure. Nerve gas and organophosphate pesticides (OPP) are particularly important from a clinical standpoint because of the cholinergic symptoms produced from exposure. [1][2] Function Nerve Gas
How is exposure to Organophosphates (OP) assessed?
A number of measurements exist to assess exposure and early biological effects for organophosphate poisoning. Measurements of OP metabolites in both the blood and urine can be used to determine if a person has been exposed to organophosphates.
Why are organophosphates so popular as insecticides?
The popularity of these insecticides increased after many of the organochlorine insecticides such as DDT, dieldrin, and heptachlor were banned in the 1970s. Effective organophosphates have the following structural features: Within these requirements, a large number of different lipophilic and leaving groups have been used.
The word “organophosphates”, when appearing in communications (e.g., from the press or the government), in areas such as agriculture, the environment, and human and animal health, very often refers to a group of insecticides(pesticides) that act on the enzyme acetylcholinesterase[citation needed](see also carbamates).
What is the mechanism of toxicity of organophosphates?
Organophosphate mechanism of toxicity: Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors that form a stable irreversible covalent bond to the enzyme.
What is the PMC code for organophosphates?
PMC 3339465. PMID 22251442. ^ Fenske, R. (November 1999). “Organophosphates and the Risk Cup”. Agrichemical and Environmental News (163): 6–8.
How do organophosphate pesticides degrade?
Organophosphate pesticides degrade rapidly by hydrolysis on exposure to sunlight, air, and soil, although small amounts can be detected in food and drinking water.