Abstract:

Pesticides are essential in agriculture and public health, but their use is associated with many adverse health outcomes. The objective of the current study was to review published case reports to elucidate the pattern and health impacts of exposure to various pesticide classes, including organochlorines, organophosphates, carbamates, pyrethroids, organosulfur, botanicals, and biopesticides. We conducted a review of case reports focusing on the health effects of pesticide exposure across different chemical classes. Searches were performed in major scientific databases, and relevant articles were selected based on predetermined inclusion criteria. Data extraction and synthesis were carried out to identify common health outcomes associated with each pesticide class. Organochlorines, despite being largely phased out, still pose risks due to their persistence and bioaccumulation, with links to neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. Organophosphates, known for cholinergic overstimulation, can lead to respiratory distress and seizures. Carbamates, affecting cholinesterase activity, may cause respiratory paralysis and coma. Pyrethroids disrupt the nervous system and can induce convulsions and alter consciousness. Organosulfur can induce liver damage and renal dysfunction. Botanical pesticides and biopesticides, while generally considered safer, can also cause severe toxicity, including methemoglobinemia and multiorgan failure, as evidenced by rare cases of poisoning. This review highlights the diverse health impacts of pesticide exposure across different chemical classes. It exposes the need for systematic surveillance, longitudinal studies, and comparative assessments between conventional pesticides and biopesticides. Interdisciplinary collaborations are crucial for comprehensive risk assessment and the development of targeted interventions to mitigate these detrimental effects.

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