NAVMED P-5010-8 - Navy Medicine - U.S. Navy

8-25 CHAPTER 8. NAVY ENTOMOLOGY AND PEST CONTROL TECHNOLOGY 8-26
SECTION V. FIRST AID AND EMERGENCY TREATMENT FOR PESTICIDE EXPOSURE
Article Subject Page
8-25 General Procedures ......................................................................................................8-25
8-26 First Aid For Pesticide Contamination.........................................................................8-25
8-27 First Aid For Internal Poisoning From Pesticides ........................................................8-26
8-28 First Aid For Poisoning By Fumigants ........................................................................8-26
8-29 Organophosphorus Pesticide Poisoning and Suggestions For Treatment ....................8-26
8-30 Carbamate Pesticide Poisoning and Suggestions For Treatment .................................8-27
8-31 Organochlorine Pesticide Poisoning and Suggestions For Treatment .........................8-27
8-25. General Procedures
a. Strict adherence to basic principles in
rendering first aid to victims of pesticide
contamination and poisoning may avert
disfigurement, compromise of health, and
possibly loss of life. A chart, Emergency
Medical Treatment for Acute Pesticide
Poisoning, available from any DVECC or
NAVENPVNTMEDU, should be posted in
conspicuous places where pesticides are stored,
issued, mixed, or handled and in emergency
rooms of medical treatment facilities.
b. Decontamination is extremely important
in pesticide poisoning and should be done as
quickly as possible. When properly accomplished
according to the nature of exposure,
decontamination terminates exposure and,
thereby, limits the dose.
c. It is important that the pesticide
container, a sample of the remaining residue,
and a readable label or the names of the
chemical constituents be saved for use by the
medical officer.
d. Supportive therapy does not counteract
the specific toxic action of the pesticide, but
assists in maintaining vital body functions. The
purpose of supportive therapy is to keep the
patient alive until specific antidotes can be given
and take effect, or until the body has sufficient
time to metabolize and detoxify the poison.
Supportive therapy includes the following:
(1) Cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
(2) Artificial respiration (mouth to mouth
if oral intake of the pesticide is not involved).
(3) Maintenance of a free airway.
(4) Oxygen therapy for cyanosis.
(5) Postural drainage.
e. A nation-wide network of poison control
centers (PCC) has been established in conjunction
with the Public Health Service (PHS).
These centers are usually located in local hospitals
and are geographically located to be available
by telephone from almost every part of the
country. Their staff members are specially
trained for the treatment of poison cases. When
requiring information and assistance, dial the
number given for the PCC in the nearest city.
Also, ask the operator for the name of the person
who is in charge. This will eliminate unnecessary
delay and possible misunderstanding.
8-26. First Aid For Pesticide Contamination
a. Eye Contamination
(1) Holding the lids apart, wash the eye
for 5 minutes with a gentle stream of running
water.
(2) Do not use chemical antidotes
because they may increase the extent of injury.
9 Nov 2004
8-25