CARBAMATE INSECTICIDES

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Agent Name
CARBAMATE INSECTICIDES
Alternative Name
CLASS
Major Category
Pesticides
Synonyms
CLASSES
Category
Carbamate Insecticides
Comments
Carbamate insecticides are a group of chemicals similar to the organophosphate insecticides. For both carbamates and organophosphates, toxicity is due to excessive cholinergic stimulation as the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine, accumulates at nerve endings in the peripheral and central nervous systems. Poisoning results in M--miosis, U--urination, D--diarrhea, D--diaphoresis, L--lacrimation, E--excitation and S--salivation. Carbamates and organophosphates poison by chemically combining with the acetylcholinesterase enzyme to inactivate it. The carbamates are less toxic than the organophosphates because carbamates reversibly bind with the enzyme as opposed to the permanent binding and inactivation by the organophosphates. This limits the duration of carbamate insecticide poisoning. Blood cholinesterase levels are not usually helpful in diagnosing or monitoring cases of carbamate poisoning because levels will return to normal within an hour or two in both the body and the test tube. [EPA Pesticides, p. 48-9] Carbamate insecticides include N-methyl carbamates and dimethyl carbamates. [Krieger, p. 1591]
Biomedical References

Exposure Assessment

BEI
Acetylcholinesterase activity in red blood cells = 70% of individual's baseline; Butylcholinesterase activity in serum or plasma = 60% of individual's baseline; Sample at end of shift; [TLVs and BEIs]
Half Life
No specific reports, but thought to be completely eliminated within a few days; [TDR, p. 250] Half-lives in the field range from days to months; [ATSDR Case Studies # 22]

Adverse Effects

Other Poison
Carbamate

Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: