What is Paraquat Poisoning?

Context: Recently, a 24-year-old woman was awarded a death sentence by a Thiruvananthapuram court which found her guilty of poisoning her boyfriend with a chemical herbicide called paraquat.

About Paraquate

Paraquat, also known as paraquat dichloride or methyl viologen, is one of the world’s most widely used herbicides.
Primary Use: It is used to control weeds and desiccate crops like cotton before harvest.
Hazard Classification: The WHO classifies paraquat as a Category 2 (moderately hazardous and irritating) chemical.
Global Ban: Paraquat is banned in over 70 countries, including China and the European Union, due to its high toxicity.

Routes of Exposure

Ingestion: Accidental swallowing.
Skin Contact: Prolonged skin contact.
Inhalation

Treatment for Paraquat Poisoning

There are no known specific antidotes for paraquat poisoning.
Immediate Actions: The CDC recommends swallowing activated charcoal or Fuller’s earth (multani mitti) to absorb the chemical.
Immunosuppression or charcoal haemoperfusion – potential hospital treatment