Pesticides
Pesticide poisoning can occur from inhalation, ingestion and skin exposure.
If you or someone you know have been poisoned, call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26.
Common pesticides include:
- herbicides — which kill weeds
- insecticides — which kill insects
- bactericide — which kill bacteria
- fungicides — which kill fungi.
Symptoms include:
- headaches, extreme weakness and unconsciousness
- irritated skin and eyes
- sore throat or cough
- diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting
- seizures.
Accidental exposures will usually cause symptoms within a few hours but can rarely occur after 12 hours. Anyone with deliberate self-poisoning exposure needs to attend hospital immediately.