Editing Parathion (section)

==Safety==
Parathion is a [[cholinesterase inhibitor]]. It generally disrupts the [[nervous system]] by inhibiting [[acetylcholinesterase]]. It is absorbed via skin, mucous membranes, and orally. Absorbed parathion is rapidly metabolized to paraoxon, as described in [[Parathion#Insecticidal activity|Insecticidal activity]]. Paraoxon exposure can result in [[headache]]s, [[convulsions]], poor vision, [[vomiting]], abdominal pain, severe [[diarrhea]], [[unconsciousness]], [[tremor]], [[dyspnea]], and finally [[pulmonary edema]] as well as respiratory arrest.  Symptoms of poisoning are known to last for extended periods, sometimes months. The most common and very specific antidote is [[atropine]], in doses of up to 100&nbsp;mg daily. Because atropine may also be toxic, it is recommended that small frequently repeated doses be used in treatment. If human poisoning is detected early and the treatment is prompt (atropine and artificial respiration), fatalities are infrequent. Insufficient oxygen will lead to [[cerebral hypoxia]] and permanent brain damage.  [[Peripheral neuropathy]] including [[paralysis]] is noticed as late [[sequelae]] after recovery from acute intoxication. Parathion and related organophosphorus pesticides are used in hundreds of thousands of poisonings annually, especially suicides.<ref>Litchfield, M.H. "Estimates of acute pesticide poisoning in agricultural workers in less developed countries" Toxicology Reviews 2005, volume 24, pp. 271-8. {{PMID|16499408}}</ref> It is known as ''Schwiegermuttergift'' (mother-in-law poison) in Germany. For this reason, most formulations contain a blue dye providing warning.

Parathion was used as a [[chemical warfare]] agent, most notably by an element of the [[British South Africa Police#Composition|British South Africa Police]] attached to the [[Selous Scouts#Composition|Selous Scouts]] during the [[Rhodesian Bush War]]. They used it to poison clothing that was then supplied to anti-government guerrillas. When the enemy soldiers put on the clothes, they were poisoned by absorption through the skin.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://openaccess.leidenuniv.nl/bitstream/handle/1887/68698/Poison%20in%20Rhodesia%2C%20Colm%20Wittenberg.pdf?sequence=1|title = Poison in Rhodesia|date = 31 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://cco.ndu.edu/News/Article/1506904/dirty-war-rhodesia-and-chemical-biological-warfare-1975-1980-book-review/|title=Dirty War: Rhodesia and Chemical Biological Warfare 1975-1980 (Book Review)|website=PRISM &#124; National Defense University}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Dirty War: Rhodesia and Chemical Biological Warfare, 1975–1980|last=Cross|first=Glenn|year=2017|location=Solihull, UK|publisher=Helion & Company|isbn=978-1-911512-12-7}}</ref>

Based on animal studies, parathion is considered by the [[United States Environmental Protection Agency|U.S. Environmental Protection Agency]] to be a possible human [[carcinogen]].<ref name=epa>{{cite web | title = Parathion | work = Integrated Risk Information System | publisher = [[U. S. Environmental Protection Agency]] | date = 26 January 2007 | url = http://www.epa.gov/iris/subst/0327.htm}}</ref> Studies show that parathion is toxic to fetuses, but does not cause birth defects.<ref name = extoxnet>{{cite web | work = Extension Toxicology Network | title = Pesticide Information Profiles - Parathion | publisher = [[Oregon State University]] |date=September 1993 | url = http://extoxnet.orst.edu/pips/parathio.htm}}</ref>

It is classified by the [[United Nations Environment Programme]] as a [[persistent organic pollutant]]{{cn|date=February 2018}} and by the [[World Health Organization]] as [[toxicity class|Toxicity Class Ia]] (extremely hazardous).{{cn|date=February 2018}}

Parathion is toxic to [[bees]], [[fish]], [[bird]]s, and other forms of wildlife.<ref name = extoxnet/>

===Protection against poisoning===
To provide the end user with a minimum standard of protection, suitable protective gloves, clothing, and a respirator with organic-vapour cartridges is normally worn. [[Industrial safety]] during the production process requires special ventilation and continuous measurement of air contamination in order not to exceed PEL levels, as well as careful attention to personal hygiene. Frequent analysis of workers' serum acetylcholinesterase activity is also helpful with regards to occupational safety, because the action of parathion is cumulative. Also, atropine has been used as a specific antidote.{{fact|date=January 2024}}

=== Use in suicides ===
A chemist {{who?|date=March 2024}} swallowed {{convert|.00424|oz|g}} of parathion {{when?|date=March 2024}} to find the most lethal means of exposure to humans, intending to take an antidote afterwards, but was paralyzed and so died before he could reach it.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Carson |first=Rachel |url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/1346358856 |title=Silent Spring |publisher= HarperCollins|year=1962 |isbn=978-0-547-52762-8 |oclc=1346358856}}</ref>

Parathion was commonly used for suicides in the 1950s and 1960s.<ref name=":0" />