Overview

On July 31, 1998 at 4 a.m., a cotton field was sprayed aerially with a solution containing as active ingredients 0.26% carbofuran (n-methyl carbamate), 0.05% abamectin (macrolytic lactone), and 0.05% mepiquat chloride (growth regulator). At 6 a.m., the 34 farmworkers (age range: 13-64 years; median: 31 years) entered the field to complete weeding begun the previous day. Symptoms most commonly reported by the workers were nausea (97%), headache (94%), eye irritation (85%), muscle weakness (82%), tearing (68%), vomiting (79%), and salivation (56%); the most commonly observed signs were bradycardia (21%), diaphoresis (15%), and miosis (pupillary constriction) (12%). For a full report, see CDC MMWR (199).

External Links

• CDC MMWR (199)