Analytical Diagnosis of Pesticide Poisoning
Collection, Storage, and Shipment of Biological Samples
- Glenn Morrison, MD;
- William F. Durham, PhD
Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text.
Excerpt
Approximately 150 deaths a year in the United States are attributable to pesticide poisoning, with total morbidity reaching up to 100 times that number.1 Several sophisticated methods of analyzing biological samples for pesticides and their metabolic products have been developed in recent years. However, knowledge of the existence of these methods, of the sampling techniques required, and of the location of laboratories where the analyses may be performed has not been made generally available to the physician. The purpose of this communication is to bridge this gap so that the practicing physician can derive the most meaningful information from the analytical chemist.
General Considerations First, the diagnosis must be made. Since several reports have dealt with various aspects of the diagnosis and treatment of acute pesticide intoxication,2-5 these will not be covered here. Of preeminence is the maintenance of a high index of suspicion.
Once the diagnosis is
Footnotes
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Reprint requests to Perrine Primate Research Branch, Division of Pesticide Chemistry and Toxicology, Food and Drug Administration, PO Box 490, Perrine, Fla 33157 (Dr. Morrison).
