Pesticide Poisoning, First Aid and Emergency Response
This domain tests recognition of pesticide poisoning, first aid, and emergency response. The exam expects route awareness, cholinergic signs, and safe rescue without self-exposure.
Core rules
- Exposure routes are dermal, inhalation, oral, and ocular. Remove the person from the source, protect yourself, remove contaminated clothing, and wash skin with soap and water for at least 15 minutes. Irrigate eyes for at least 15 minutes.
- Organophosphate and carbamate poisoning can cause salivation, lacrimation, urination, diarrhoea, vomiting, miosis, bradycardia, and bronchorrhoea. Atropine is a medical treatment, not a field first-aid kit decision.
- Do not induce vomiting after corrosive or hydrocarbon products. Call emergency services and the poison information service; take the label or SDS.
- Paraquat is especially dangerous; avoid mouth-to-mouth if contamination is present, and use a barrier device.
Worked example
A mixer develops blurred vision, sweating, salivation, and small pupils after handling an organophosphate. The correct response is to stop work, move to fresh air, remove contaminated clothing, wash skin, and call emergency services. Do not give food or drink. The reasoning is that the syndrome is cholinergic; early removal and washing reduce absorbed dose while medical atropine is arranged.
Traps
Inducing vomiting for every product; waiting for severe symptoms; using gasoline or bleach on skin; and entering a contaminated area without PPE.