Fourteen people die of intoxication with pesticides in Moldova in last two years

Chisinau, 29 November /MOLDPRES/ - As many as 405 cases of acute intoxications with pesticides have been recorded in Moldova in the last two years, in the wake of which 14 people died. Children were involved in 36 per cent of the intoxication cases.  

Data by the National Public Health Agency (ANSP) shows that the number of cases of acute intoxications with aluminium phosphide has increased both in Moldova and in the neighbor countries on the last period. This is a cheap, efficient and usually used pesticide for the processing of cereals, disinfesting and deratization and which, as a result of the utilization, comes in contact with the atmospheric humidity, issuing phosphine gas. Thus, there is the risk of appearance of serious consequences, with a severe hitting of the organism.    

ANSP specialists inform that the aluminium phosphide hits practically all organs of the organism; toxicity appears as a result of its ingesting or through inhaling, absorption at the level of skin or through the substance’s penetration through wounds. After ingesting, the pesticide quickly issues phosphine – a toxic gas, into the stomach, which triggers a systemic intoxication. As usual, the heart, lungs, kidneys and liver are hit. The intoxication appears through cardiac arrhythmia, dizziness, state of nausea, vomiting, headache and weakness. To avoid intoxications, specialists recommend users to thoroughly check the labels of pesticides and correctly follow the use instructions.     

ANSP also shows that, during 2016-2018, 405 cases of acute intoxications with pesticides were registered in Moldova, in the wake of which 14 persons died. Children were involved in 144 cases or 36 per cent of all intoxications and three children died.