Resumo

CAROD BENEDICO, E.. Organophosphate insecticides: "From chemical warfare to labour and home risks". Medifam [online]. 2002, vol.12, n.5, pp.51-62. ISSN 1131-5768.

Organophosphorus insecticides (OPI) are widely extended and they are used not only in the work world (farming and not farming world), but also in households, several industries, medicine and even as chemical weapons.  According to the WHO, the incorrect use of OPI is responsible for a great number of acute poisoning, characterized by the development of cholinergic symdrome and multiple chronic complications, being the neuropathy one of the most representative. Actually these complications are very important because its frequency is progressively increasing, as they may go unnoticed by medical ignorance or by the user himself, who is not able of linking his symptomatology to OPI exposure.  Health consequences of OPI exposure are, nowadays, a first magnitude problem for Public Health. The role of Primary Assistance professionals is essential for the correct use of these compounds, due to their accessibility and the taking of efficient preventive measures, which are the main weapons to combat the pathology derived from these compounds.  Epidemiology, etiology, diagnosis, treatment, and, especially all the necessary preventive measures to successfully bring down the incidence and prevalence of pathologies related to OPI exposure, are revised in this work. 

Palavras-chave : Organophosphate insecticides; Cholinesterase inhibitors; Primary Health Care; Public Health.

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