Table 3.
Signs and symptoms of acute paraquat- and diquat-related illness: SENSOR, PISP, and IDS data, 1998–2011.
| Body part/system affecteda | Paraquat, n (%) | Diquat, n (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Total | 300 | 144 |
| Dermal | 125(42) | 61(42) |
| Skin pain | 55(18) | 33(23) |
| Erythema | 51(17) | 35(24) |
| Rash | 36(12) | 14(10) |
| Edema | 28(9) | 10(7) |
| Skin burn | 27(9) | 10(7) |
| Pruritis | 24(8) | 14(10) |
| Bullae | 23(7) | 8(6) |
| Contact dermatitis | 7(2) | 4(3) |
| Hives | 2(1) | 3(2) |
| Otherb | 7(2) | 4(3) |
| Eye | 103(34) | 45(31) |
| Eye pain/irritation/inflammation | 95(32) | 38(26) |
| Lacrimation | 30(10) | 13(9) |
| Conjunctivitis | 25(8) | 16(11) |
| Corneal abrasion | 19(6) | 6(4) |
| Eye burns | 18(6) | 5(3) |
| Otherb | 13(4) | 3(2) |
| Neurologic | 82(27) | 43(30) |
| Headache | 41(14) | 14(10) |
| Dizziness | 22(7) | 10(7) |
| Blurred vision | 17(6) | 1(1) |
| Paresthesias | 9(3) | 3(2) |
| Muscle weakness | 10(3) | 5(3) |
| Muscle pain | 5(2) | 2(1) |
| Hyperactivity/anxiety/irritability | 4(1) | 5(3) |
| Confusion | 3(1) | 4(3) |
| Otherb | 24(8) | 15(10) |
| Respiratory | 73(24) | 40(28) |
| Dyspnea | 34(11) | 14(10) |
| Upper respiratory pain | 27(9) | 20(14) |
| Cough | 17(6) | 10(7) |
| Respiratory depression | 5(2) | 2(1) |
| Wheezing | 5(2) | 2(1) |
| Pleuritic chest pain | 4(1) | 2(1) |
| Lower respiratory irritation | 4(1) | 6(4) |
| Otherb | 33(11) | 13(9) |
| Gastrointestinal | 68(23) | 31(22) |
| Nausea | 36(12) | 18(13) |
| Vomiting | 35(12) | 20(14) |
| Abdominal pain/cramping | 12(4) | 8(6) |
| Diarrhea | 9(3) | 6(4) |
| Otherb | 8(3) | 4(3) |
| Cardiovascular | 40(13) | 19(13) |
| Hypertension | 12(4) | 2(1) |
| Tachycardia | 10(3) | 7(5) |
| Chest Pain | 16(5) | 6(4) |
| Bradycardia | 0 | 4(3) |
| Other | 10(3) | 8(6) |
| Miscellaneous | 49(16) | 26(18) |
| Renalc | 22(7) | 8(6) |
| Fatigue/malaise | 12(4) | 10(7) |
| Acidosis | 5(2) | 4(3) |
| Hyperthermia/fever | 4(1) | 4(3) |
Each person may have more than one body part/system affected and may have multiple signs or symptoms per body part/system.
Other includes: For paraquat: Dermal-flaky skin/nail (n=4), skin peeling (n=3); Eye-blurred vision (n=8), eye blisters (n=2), mucous (n=3 Neurological-peripheral neuropathy (n=1), fasciculations (n=1), muscle rigidity (n=1), slurred speech (n=2), diaphoresis (n=1), fainting (n=1), salivation (n=4), altered taste (n=4), ataxia (n=2), loss of consciousness (n=2), tremors/twitching (n=2), giddiness (n=1), sleeplessness (n=1); Respiratory-hyperventilation/tachypnea (n=3), cyanosis (n=1), pulmonary edema (n=1), sore throat (n=1), burning nasal passages (n=3), respiratory failure/dysfunction (n=7), nosebleed (n=3), respiratory distress (n=2), pulmonary fibrosis (n=4), respiratory irritation (n=3), broncho-constriction (n=1); Gastrointestinal-loss of appetite (n=2), bloody stool/vomit (n=2), epigastric pain (n=2), gastrointestinal bleeding/dysfunction (n=2);Cardiovascular-hypotension (n=2), cardiac arrest (n=3), cardiac conduction disturbance (n=1). For Diquat: Dermal-white oral patches (n=2); Eye-blurred vision (n=3); Neurological-peripheral neuropathy (n=1), diaphoresis (n=4), fainting (n=1), salivation (n=1), altered taste (n=5), ataxia (n=1), drowsiness (n=2); Respiratory-hyperventilation/tachypnea (n=1), asthma (n=1), sore throat (n=3), nasal irritation (n=3), mucous (n=2); Gastrointestinal-hyperactive bowel sounds (n=2); Cardiovascular-hypotension (n=4), palpitations (n=1), cardiac arrest (n=1), chest tightness (n=2).
Includes: for Paraquat: reduced/absent urination (n=2), blood in urine (n=1), blue urine (n=1), proteinuria (n=2), elevated creatinine (n=1), renal failure (n=15). For diquat: elevated creatinine (n=1), reduced/absent urination (n=1), frequent urination (n=1), Renal failure (n=5).