Organophosphate & Carbamate insecticides

Organophosphate and Carbamate insecticides are considerably less persistent and less lipophilic than the organochlorines, however they have a greater acute toxicity.

The organophosphate insecticides, comprised of esters of phosphoric and phosphorothioic acid, evolved from the chemical technology of the 1930s in which the nerve gases of World War II were developed. Both groups of compounds are neurotoxic, poisoning by inhibiting the enzyme acetylcholinesterase. By inhibiting cholinesterases, the accumulation of the important and widespread neurotransmitter acetylcholine occurs, resulting in later hyperstimulation of cholinergic pathways.

There are now over 200 organophosphate esters and 25 carbamate esters.

(Amdur, Mary O., John Doull, and Curtis D. Klaassen. Toxicology, 1991, p. 580)

(Amdur, Mary O., John Doull, and Curtis D. Klaassen. Toxicology, 1991, p. 585)

(Amdur, Mary O., John Doull, and Curtis D. Klaassen. Toxicology, 1991, p. 583)

(Amdur, Mary O., John Doull, and Curtis D. Klaassen. Toxicology, 1991, p. 586)

(Marieb, Elaine N. Human Anatomy & Physiology, 1995, p. 362)

(Amdur, Mary O., John Doull, and Curtis D. Klaassen. Toxicology, 1991, p. 582)