Overview
Organophosphate pesticides are phosphotriester compounds that can be divided into five classes based on their differing alkyl phosphate constituents:
- phosphates
- O-phosphorothioates
- S-phosphorothioates
- Phosphorodithioates
- phosphonates/phosphoramidates
Organophosphate insecticides are widely used on a large variety of crops. Examples of work activities involving OPs that require special attention when assessing exposure include:
- pest control operators who use OPs every day in their work
- manufacture, formulation and packaging
- transport, storage and distribution
- handling used containers, for example in scrap recovery
- agricultural and horticultural activities like mixing, loading and applications where direct handling of the chemical occurs
- veterinary activities like cattle and sheep dipping
- seasonal field workers exposed to pesticide residues
- laboratory workers undertaking research on OPs
This guide provides information for those registered medical practitioners engaged by a PCBU to carry out or supervise health monitoring for workers. This guidance should be read in conjunction with the following:
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