Hundreds of thousands of people around the world die from exposure to lethal chemicals, especially in developing countries. These chemicals are known as organophosphorus agents (OP) and are present in a variety of pesticides that are used on crops. The health concerns associated with their use are greatest in developing countries because in these areas the controls that surround the storage and availability of these chemicals are poor. Farmers also have inadequate education in how to deal with these lethal chemicals.
Now, expert scientists at the University of Sheffield have developed a new enzyme treatment that could greatly increase the wellness of farmers and other affected people by neutralising the effects of the chemicals on human beings
The wellbeing of farmers and other personnel is a serious issue, with around 200,000 people thought to die each year from OP poisoning. This is through a variety of types of contact, such as occupational exposure (i.e. farmers coming into contact with it when putting it on their crops), misuse and unintentional use and also through exposure through deliberate terrorist atrocities.
These lethal chemicals include different compounds such as Cyclosarin, VX, VR, Soman, Sarin and Tabun – which was developed by German Scientists in 1936 for use in World War 2. Now, a modified human enzyme developed by Professor Mike Blackburn at the University of Sheffield, could be the key to overcoming the terrible effects of these chemicals on the wellbeing of humans. Developed in the Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, this enzyme has been shown to protect mice from one of the agents, VR, with no other effects.
It is estimated about 200,000 people die each year across the world from OP poisoning, through occupational exposure, unintentional use and misuse, mostly in developing countries like India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka and through deliberate terrorist activities.
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