Monocrotophos poisoning in doves in Seoul = Monocrotophos poisoning in doves in Seoul

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Organophosphate and carbamate pesticides are used to control pests in agricultural industry and home gardening. These toxic compounds operate through inhibiting the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, allowing acetylcholine to transfer nerve impulses indefinitely and causing various symptoms such as weakness and paralysis. Monocrotophos is an organophosphate insecticide, which is highly toxic to birds and human beings. Totally 57 dead doves were sent to the Seoul Metropolitan Government Research Institute of Public Health & Environment for further examination. All of the carcasses were found in Gwanak-gu two times, 18 doves on 7 August 2012 and 39 doves on 1 October 2012 respectively. Gross examinations revealed no evidence of any specific disease condition. The contents of gastrointestinal tracts contained residues of monocrotophos ranged from 600.57 to 749.2 mg/kg in 18 dead doves and 5,064 mg/kg in 39 dead doves. Based on these evidences, we conclude that the doves died due to monocrotophos poisoning after taking the food contaminated by monocrotophos. It was assumed that a misuse and an abuse case of commonly used pesticides in Korea.