Exposure to Parathion

Abstract

There has been much lay and medical concern regarding toxic effects of insecticides on the general population. In addition to direct toxic effects, it is suspected that insecticidal application has deleterious physical effects on persons with respiratory diseases. To evaluate some of these problems, the authors have attempted to quantitate actual absorption, symptoms, and laboratory evidence of intoxication in persons with varying degrees of exposure to parathion. By means of controlled observations, the respiratory effect of application of this compound on persons with bronchial asthma was also measured. The results suggest that the effect of this chemical on the general population is negligible.