A chemical used in insecticides, which act by inhibiting the action of cholinesterase (see ACETYLCHOLINE). For this reason they are also toxic to humans and must therefore be handled with great care. The most widely used are PARATHION and MALATHION. Organophosphorus has also been used to make nerve gases.
After contamination with insecticides, the person is decontaminated by removing clothes and washing their skin. Those doing this are advised to wear gloves, mask, apron and goggles. For symptoms, the recommended first aid is 2 mg of ATROPINE intravenously every 30 minutes until full atropinisation (dry mouth, pulse >70). Severe poisoning may require pralidoxime chloride (available in the UK from designated centres and blood transfusion centres).