Fatal Neonicotinoid poisoning : A case Series Gangadhar Phad Laxman*, Bardale Rajesh V., Haridas Sandeep V., Jiwane Ashok S. Department of Forensic Medicine, GMCH, Miraj, Sangli, Maharashtra *Corresponding author: Laxman Gangadhar Phad, Department of Forensic Medicine, GMCH, Miraj, Sangli, Maharashtra Email: laxmanphad87@gmail.com
Online Published on 19 September, 2022. Abstract Poisoning due to pesticides has long been seen as a severe public health problem. A task force of the World Health Organization in early 1990 estimated that about one million unintentional pesticide poisonings occur annually, leading to approximately 20,000 deaths. Even after thirty years, there is no clear and accurate picture of global pesticide poisoning despite an increase in pesticide use. Organo phosphates are the major cause of self-poisoning in southern and central India and aluminium phosphide in northern India. Neonicotinoids are a newer class of insecticides with increasing usage in recent decades because of their favourable toxicological profile. Neonicotinoids have a very high margin of safety because of the specificity of the insecticides for nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in insects than mammals combined with rapid metabolism and poor penetration to the blood-brain barrier. The present study was carried out on cases brought for autopsy which revealed Neonicotinoid poisoning. Four cases were studied with the purpose to highlight the toxic effects of a new class of insecticide i.e., neonicotinoids which impose health hazards to humans and animals including death. Top Keywords Poisoning, Pesticide, Insecticide, Neonicotinoid, Imidacloprid. Top |