Organophosphate
30.01.2025
Organophosphate
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For Prelims: About Organophosphate, Impact on human Health |
Why in the news?
Recently, doctors treating patients from J&K’s Baddal village said that organophosphate could be behind the 17 deaths that had spread panic in the village.
About Organophosphate:
- It is a chemical that is used in pesticides and insecticides, and absorbed through inhalation and ingestion.
- It is formed through the esterification process involving phosphoric acid and alcohol.
- It is generally used to protect crops from pests and even to control the spread of disease by insects and have extensive application in manufacturing plastics and solvents.
Impact on human Health:
- It disrupts the transmission of nerve signals in exposed organisms, which is fatal.
- Certain organophosphates have caused a different kind of neurotoxicity consisting of damage to the afferent fibers of peripheral and central nerves and associated with inhibition of “neuropathy target esterase”.
What is Esterification?
- It is a chemical reaction in which alcohol and acid combine to create an ester as the main product.
Source: Indian Express
Consider the following statements regarding Organophosphate:
1. These are chemical compounds formed through the esterification process involving phosphoric acid and alcohol.
2. These are used in pesticides and insecticides.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A.1 only
B.2 only
C.Both 1 and 2
D.Neither 1 nor 2
Answer C