Aplastic anaemia after exposure to a weed killer, 2-methyl-4-chlorphenoxyacetic acid.
A 64-year-old farmer developed aplastic anaemia after exposure to 2-methyl-4-chlorphenoxyactic acid while spraying weed killer. Muscular weakness, haemorrhagic gastritis and slight signs of liver damage occurred at the same time. All these symptoms, including blood dyscrasia , are consistent with those described as toxic effects of chlorphenoxyacetic acids in animal experiments. A causal relationship between aplastic anaemia and the 2-methyl-4-chlorphenoxyacetic acid thus seems probable. The anaemia was reversible, but the case serves as a warning that careful safety measures are required during the use of chlorphenoxyacetic acids and related compounds.
D015084:2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000506:poisoning; D000741:Anemia, Aplastic / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006540:Herbicides / Q000506:poisoning*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use
D006540:Herbicides; D015084:2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid; D011239:Prednisolone