Type of Pesticide	Symptoms	Antidotes / Comments
Organophosphate Mild Poisoning	Fatique Headache Dizziness Blurred Vision Heavy sweating Too much salivation Stomach cramps or diarrhea	Illness may be delayed, but if symptoms appear more than 12 hours after exposure, then probably not pesticide poisoning. Check with physician to be sure.
Organophosphate Moderate Poisoning	Unable to walk Weakness Chest discomfort Muscle twitches Constriction of eye pupils Earlier symptom more severe
Organophosphate Severe Poisoning	Unconsiousness "Pinpoint" eye pupils Muscle twitches Secretions from mouth and nose Breathing difficulty Death if not treated
Carbamate	Same as with organophosphates but are easier for doctors to treat for. Therefore, they are considered safer than organophosphates.	Same as with organophosphates
Chlorinated Hydrocarbons	Headache Nausea Vomiting General discomfort Dizziness Convulsions	Convulsions may occur without other symptoms and coma may follow convulsions
Fumigants	Poor coordination Slurring words Confusion Sleep	Fatal dose can be absorbed before symptoms appear
Inorganics	Stomache pain Vomiting	There are often no direct antidotes for these toxicants
Pyrethroids	These are generally safe but allergic-type reactions similar to hay fever or asthma can occur	Prevention seems to be the best way to prevent this poisoning. There is usually no need for antidotes.
Anticoagulants	Intense stomach pain after consuming orally.	Vitamin K, or K1, is an antidote, but should be administered by a physician. Vitamin C may also be useful. In severe cases, fresh whole blood transfusions may be needed.
Non-Anticoagulants	Similar to anticoagulants	If recently consumed (within 3 hours), induce vomiting.

BASIC FIRST AID FOR PESTICIDE POISONING First aid, as the name implies, is aid that comes first. It is important that the following information be used as a guide only. But, first things first. (Please note that if you do not know some of these procedures, that you should learn them, otherwise, you will need to find someone who does)

FIRST: Be sure that you are not putting yourself into danger. If the victim is on the road, be sure you have someone stop traffic so you can get to the victim safely. If the victim is inside an enclosed area with pesticide fumes, then you should either wear a respirator mask or completely open the doors and windows. If you need to remove the victim from the building, stay low, after the area is ventilated, and remove the victim.

SECOND: Give mouth to mouth resuscitation or CPR if needed. (no breathing or no pulse)

THIRD: Stop the exposure. This may mean removing the victim from the enclosed area. It may also mean washing the pesticide off or removing the contaminated clothing if the pesticide spilled on them.

FOURTH: Get medical help as soon as possible. If the victim is in severe condition, then an ambulance should be called immediately. If there are multiple bystanders, then you should send someone before doing anything else.

FIFTH: Read the label on the pesticide container. Federal law demands that manufacturers put first aid procedures on the label of any pesticide container and it can be a valuable source of information for you and the physician.

SPECIFIC SITUATIONS
If pesticide is swallowed: Rinse mouth out with plenty of water Go to physician immediately If, and only if, the pesticide label says to do so, induce vomiting by giving the victim some syrup of Ipecac or by sticking your fore and middle fingers down the victim's throat. CAUTION: Never induce vomiting of an unconscious person and some pesticides may cause more damage if you induce vomiting. Therefore, only induce if the label say you should and if the victim is awake.
If pesticide is splashed in the eyes: Hold eyelids open and wash with a lot of clean running water Continue rinsing for at least 15 minutes Do not use chemicals or drugs in rinse water See a physician immediately
For chemical burns to the skin: Wash skin with large amounts of water for 15 to 30 minutes Remove contaminated clothing, wearing rubber gloves so as not get chemical on your hands Cover burned skin with gauze or loose clothing Avoid ointments, grease, powders, or other topical treatments Treat for shock
For inhaled poisons: Remove victim to fresh air, being careful not to become a victim yourself Open all door and windows Loosen tight clothing Perform Artificial resuscitation if needed Keep victim warm If victim is convulsing, keep in a semi-dark room and avoid jarring or loud noises
The most important thing to remember is that you must act in a poisoning situation. The first reaction that most people have is to stand there in shock. This may be only a few seconds, but seconds may count in a severe poisoning situation. In a not-so-severe situation, but you, or someone you know, is showing signs of pesticide poisoning, then you should go to the physician or hospital immediately.

ONE FINAL NOTE: I am in the pest management business. We handle pesticides on a daily basis. Most pesticides are relatively safe, especially if they are used properly. But, they are, at least to some extent, poisonous, or they wouldn't work. Use them carefully or hire someone to use them, but do not dismiss them outright. Without pesticides, pests would overrun us. See Why Pest Control for more information.

If you have any questions, please ask Pestdude!

See also:
CHOOSING A PEST MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL