title: Acute poisoning with carbamate pesticides: the Cretan experience.
abstract: In Crete, in southern Greece, a number of fatal carbamate poisonings were investigated over a period of 2 years, from 1991 to 1993. Five cases are reported, involving the fatal ingestion of methomyl (Lannate), a cholinesterase-inhibiting carbamate insecticide. Analysis of samples of blood plasma and serum showed more than 90% inhibition of cholinesterase. The blood methomyl concentrations had a mean value of 26.7 mg/l, and a range of 5.6-57.0 mg/l. These values are much higher than those previously reporter in similar cases (0.57-1.4 mg/l). Methomyl concentrations in organs and tissues were found to be significantly lower than those in blood and vitreous humour.
authors.affiliation: Toxicology Unit, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Tsatsakis
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Tsakalof
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Siatitsas
authors.forename: E N
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Michalodimitrakis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001344:Autopsy; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism / Q000506:poisoning*; D005260:Female; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D006115:Greece; D006801:Humans; D007306:Insecticides / Q000378:metabolism / Q000506:poisoning*; D008297:Male; D008724:Methomyl / Q000378:metabolism / Q000506:poisoning*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011041:Poisoning / Q000378:metabolism / Q000401:mortality; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D007306:Insecticides; D008724:Methomyl