Clinical Aspects and Management of a Herbicide Containing Glufosinate Ammonium and Surfactant

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical aspects of glufosinate poisoning and to present basic data for proper management. METHODS: A retrospective study by chart review was done on 20 patient who had ingested glufosinate ammonium and who presented to the emergency medical center of Chunbuk National University Hospital from January 1997 through June 2003. RESULTS: We found that the poisoned patients expressed a gradually progressing depression of mentality, recent memory disturbance, convulsion, hypotension, or fever. The onset time was variable and ranged between 12 and 23 hours. There was a close connection between the ingested amount and the severity, but not the blood ammonia level. CONCILUSION: In acute oral Basta poisoning, patients develop a variety of clinical signs; some are even asymptomatic while others die, The mortality was 26%, so we should make a specialized study of glufosinate ammonium.