It is the general name for esters of phosphoric acid.
Organophosphates inhibit AChE, causing OP poisoning by phosphorylating the serine hydroxyl residue on AChE, which inactivates AChE. AChE is critical for nerve function, so the irreversible blockage of this enzyme, which causes acetylcholine accumulation, results in muscle overstimulation. The health effects associated with organophosphate poisoning are a result of excess acetylcholine (ACh) present at different nerves and receptors in the body because acetylcholinesterase is blocked. Accumulation of ACh at motor nerves causes overstimulation of nicotinic expression at the neuromuscular junction. Massive organophosphate intoxication from suicidal and accidental events, such as the Jamaican ginger palsy incident in 1930, led to the discovery of the mechanism of action of organophosphates. In 1995, a religious sect, Aum Shinrikyo, used sarin to poison people on a Tokyo subway. Exposure to organophosphates is also possible via intentional or unintentional contamination of food sources. Although no clinical effects of chronic, low-level organophosphate exposure from a food source have been shown, advancements in risk assessment and preparedness are ongoing. Organophosphate poisoning most commonly results from exposure to insecticides or nerve agents. OPs are one of the most common causes of poisoning worldwide, and are frequently intentionally used in suicides in agrarian areas. The health effects associated with organophosphate poisoning are a result of excess acetylcholine (ACh) present at different nerves and receptors in the body because acetylcholinesterase is blocked. Accumulation of ACh at motor nerves causes overstimulation of nicotinic expression at the neuromuscular junction. An organophosphate (sometimes abbreviated OP) or phosphate ester is the general name for esters of phosphoric acid. Many of the most important biochemicals are organophosphates, including DNA and RNA as well as many cofactors that are essential for life. Organophosphates are the basis of many insecticides, herbicides, and nerve agents. Many of the so-called organophosphates contain C-P bonds. For instance, sarin is O-isopropyl methylphosphonofluoridate, which is formally derived from phosphorous acid (HP(O)(OH) 2), not phosphoric acid (P(O)(OH) 3). Also, many compounds which are derivatives of phosphinic acid are used as neurotoxic organophosphates. Background. Organophosphates (OPs) are chemical substances originally produced by the reaction of alcohols and phosphoric acid. In the 1930s, organophosphates were used as insecticides, but the German military developed these substances as neurotoxins in World War II. Historic and new uses of organophosphates. The first organophosphate was synthesized in 1850. Physostigmine was used to treat glaucoma in the 1870s. By the 1930s, synthetic cholinesterase inhibitors were being used for skeletal muscle and autonomic disorders. Symptoms of mild organophosphate poisonin g may include the following: 1  runny nose. 2  chest tightness. 3  shortness of breath. 4  sweating. 5  nausea. 6  vomiting. 7  stomach cramps. Poisoning from organophosphates can happen through 1  —. ingestion, eating or drinking something that has an organophosphate in it; 2  inhalation, breathing in air that has an organophosphate in it; or. 3  dermal contact, having an organophosphate touch your skin or open wound. Neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine (which is affected by organophosphate pesticides) are profoundly important in the brain's development, and many organophosphates have neurotoxic effects on developing organisms, even from low levels of exposure. Many of the so-called organophosphates contain C-P bonds. For instance, sarin is O-isopropyl methylphosphonofluoridate, which is formally derived from phosphorous acid (HP(O)(OH) 2), not phosphoric acid (P(O)(OH) 3). Also, many compounds which are derivatives of phosphinic acid are used as neurotoxic organophosphates. Organophosphates are a group of human-made chemicals that poison insects and mammals. Organophosphates are the most widely used insecticides today. They are used in agriculture, the home, gardens, and veterinary practice. Organophosphate insecticides (such as diazinon) are one type of pesticide that works by damaging an enzyme in the body called acetylcholinesterase. This enzyme is critical for controlling nerve signals in the body. The damage to this enzyme kills pests and may cause unwanted side effects in exposed humans. All organophosphates have a common mechanism of toxicity and can cause similar symptoms in humans who have too much exposure. Urine samples from participants in the Churchill County leukemia study were analyzed for organophosphate insecticides and their breakdown products (metabolites). The metabolites are not toxic, but show that exposure to organophosphates occurred in the few days before testing. Organophosphates are a group of chemicals that have many domestic and industrial uses, though they are most commonly used as Insecticides and are responsible for a number of poisonings.  There are almost 900 different bug killers (pesticides) that can be used in the United States. A small number (37) belong to a class of insect killers (insecticides) known as organophosphates. The chemicals in this class kill insects by disrupting their brains and nervous systems. Unfortunately, these chemicals also can harm the brains and nervous systems of animals and humans. Poisoning from organophosphates can happen through 1  —. ingestion, eating or drinking something that has an organophosphate in it; 2  inhalation, breathing in air that has an organophosphate in it; or. 3  dermal contact, having an organophosphate touch your skin or open wound.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organophosphate_poisoning http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/167726-overview https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organophosphate_poisoning https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organophosphate http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1175139-overview http://www.idph.state.il.us/Bioterrorism/factsheets/organophosphate.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organophosphate http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/clusters/Fallon/organophosfaq.htm http://www.toxipedia.org/display/toxipedia/Organophosphates http://www.idph.state.il.us/Bioterrorism/factsheets/organophosphate.htm
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