Diquat

Synonyms

Diquat dibromide; 1,1`-Ethylene-2,2`-bipyridyllium ion; [NIOSH]

Category

Herbicides, Bipyridyl

Description

Dibromide salt: Yellow crystals. Commercial product may be found in a liquid concentrate or a solution. [NIOSH]

Sources/Uses

Herbicide; Pesticide; Defoliant; [ChemIDplus]

Comments

Poisoning usually occurs after toxic ingestion, e.g., attempted suicide. Symptoms of poisoning include acute renal failure, shock, convulsions, delirium, and skin burns. Diquat does not cause progressive pulmonary fibrosis as seen after paraquat poisoning. [EPA Pesticides, p. 111] "Among the many herbicides in use, only the bipyridyl compounds have appeared to produce hepatic injury in humans. Even these agents have produced hepatic injury only as the result of ingestion of large amounts, not because of environmental contamination and questionably as the result of occupational exposures." [Zimmerman, p. 415]

Reference Link #1

Biomedical References

Yes

0.5 mg/m3(inhalable fraction), 0.1 mg/m3(respirable fraction)

Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion

Yes

Not Classifiable

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Acute tubular necrosis

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Farming (Pesticides)