Acute alachlor and butachlor herbicide poisoning

Abstract

Background. Alachlor and butachlor are commonly used herbicides. However, data on acute human poisonings are scarce. We retrospectively analyzed the data of human alachlor/butachlor poisoning in Taiwan. Methods. The study period ran from October 1986 through February 2007. Sixty-three alachlor and 70 butachlor poisoning cases were reported to the Taiwan National Poison Center during the study period. Clinical data were reviewed and analyzed. Results. Most patients intentionally ingested the herbicides. The toxicities of alachlor and butachlor were largely similar. Twenty-eight out of 102 patients with oral exposure were asymptomatic, while the others developed vomiting, central nervous system depression, and other outcomes. Among patients using other exposure pathways, gastrointestinal effects were the main manifestation. Three patients died after manifesting profound hypotension and/or coma following alachlor ingestion. Conclusion. Alachlor and butachlor poisonings are usually of low toxicity. However, severe neurological and cardiovascular outcomes may develop rarely, especially following oral ingestion. Medical management of such poisonings is primarily supportive.

Keywords:

• Alachlor
• Butachlor
• Herbicide
• Acute poisoning

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to all the staff at the Taiwan National Poison Center for their help in data collection.