Most household bug sprays contain plant-derived chemicals called pyrethrins. These chemicals were originally isolated from chrysanthemum flowers and are generally not harmful. However, they can cause life-threatening breathing problems if they are breathed in.
Call the Poison Control Center at (800) 222-1222 for help with first aid information. The National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) (800) 858-7378 also can provide information about pesticide products and their toxicity.
Symptoms of Insecticide Poisoning
Breathing may become difficult, and muscles twitch and become weak. Rarely, shortness of breath or muscle weakness is fatal. Symptoms last hours to days after exposure to carbamates, but weakness can last for weeks after exposure to organophosphates.
Exposure by inhalation results in the fastest appearance of toxic symptoms, followed by the gastrointestinal route and finally the dermal route. The most commonly reported early symptoms include headache, nausea, dizziness, and increased secretions, such as sweating, salivation, tearing and respiratory secretions.
Symptoms of overexposure to bug sprays can occur up to 12 hours later. It can be mistaken for heatstroke or heat exhaustion with the following symptoms: Headache, fatigue, dizziness. Loss of appetite, nausea, stomach cramps, diarrhea.
Most household bug sprays contain plant-derived chemicals called pyrethrins. These chemicals were originally isolated from chrysanthemum flowers and are generally not harmful. However, they can cause life-threatening breathing problems if they are breathed in.
Headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, increased salivation, fatigue. In severe cases: fluid in lungs and muscle twitching may develop. Seizures may occur and are more common with more toxic cyano pyrethroids.
Symptoms of Insecticide Poisoning
Breathing may become difficult, and muscles twitch and become weak. Rarely, shortness of breath or muscle weakness is fatal. Symptoms last hours to days after exposure to carbamates, but weakness can last for weeks after exposure to organophosphates.
To be on the safer side, it is advisable not to sleep in the room if you have sprayed it with the raid. After spraying RAID you should allow it to dry with air. You should close the room for at least 15 minutes and then ventilate it thoroughly to remove its harmful effects in the air before re-entering the room.
Once the room is ventilated and the dead insects/residual raid is cleaned away, your room should be safe to sleep in.
Some symptoms of pesticide exposure will go away as soon as the exposure stops. Others may take some time to go away. For people exposed to pesticides on a regular basis, long-term health effects are a concern.
Mild stomach irritation, nausea or vomiting is often associated with swallowing small amounts of repellent. Call your local poison control center or primary care physician.
Pest control services suggest a certain time to stay away from the home once the work is completed. Once the service is completed, they may usually recommend staying out of your house for a time of around 2-4 hours. However, this may vary based on the type of service, and also extend up to a maximum of 24 hours.
A majority of the patients with mild to moderate irritant exposure have a self-limited course with full recovery seen within 48 to 72 hours.
Children and pregnant women should take care to avoid exposure when practical. If possible, remain inside or avoid the area whenever spraying takes place and for about 30 minutes after spraying. That time period will greatly reduce the likelihood of your breathing pesticides in the air.
Pesticides entering the body through inhalation can cause serious damage to the nose, the throat, and the lung tissues. The rapid absorption of pesticides through this specific route increases the risk of respiratory exposure.
Symptoms can include headaches, vomiting, muscle twitches, dizziness, or irritation of the eyes, nose, or throat. And inhaling chemicals called pyrethrins, found in many pest-killers, can cause breathing problems. Safer alternatives include gel baits, bait stations, and sticky tape traps, all sold at hardware stores.
The recommended time to wait before you can come inside is after two to four hours. You should be cautious because if you suddenly enter your home after the exterminator has finished applying the treatment, aside from affecting your respiratory system, your skin can as well absorb the chemicals which can be harmful.
The product must only be used in well-ventilated rooms and away from children's activity and play areas. Should the product be turned off when we go on holiday? Not necessarily, but it's recommended that you turn it off if you'll be away for more than a week.
Atropine is a medicine for treating poisoning from certain pesticides called organophosphates and carbamates.
The side effects may include short-term problems such as throat and lung problems, headaches, fainting, eyesight problems, nausea and even coughing blood. Long term side effects may include chronic coughs, damage of nerve, certain illnesses e.g COPD, low concentration, memory problems etc.
Pesticide half-lives can be lumped into three groups in order to estimate persistence. These are low (less than 16 day half-life), moderate (16 to 59 days), and high (over 60 days).
Paraquat is highly toxic to humans; one small accidental sip can be fatal and there is no antidote.
These symbols relate the oral LD50 value (mg/kg) of a pesticide to its toxicity symbol. LD50 less than 500 mg/kg indicates high toxicity. LD50 500 to 1,000 mg/kg indicates moderate toxicity. LD50 1,000 to 2,000 mg/kg indicates low toxicity.