Iowa Pesticide Applicator Practice Exam

Which symptom is commonly associated with organophosphate and carbamate insecticides?

1. Skin irritation

2. Blurred vision

3. Stomach cramps

4. Severe fever

The correct answer is: Blurred vision

Blurred vision is a commonly recognized symptom associated with exposure to organophosphate and carbamate insecticides. These chemicals inhibit acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme that helps regulate nerve function. When this inhibition occurs, the buildup of acetylcholine can lead to overstimulation of the nervous system. One of the effects of this overstimulation includes visual disturbances, such as blurred vision. Other symptoms associated with exposure to these insecticides can include a range of other neurological effects, such as muscle twitching or respiratory difficulties, but blurred vision specifically arises from the chemical's action on the nervous system. The other options, while they may be symptoms related to various conditions or other types of pesticide exposure, are less directly tied to the specific mechanisms of organophosphate and carbamate toxicity. For instance, skin irritation might occur with some chemicals but is not characteristic of these classes, stomach cramps could be related to a broader range of compounds or other gastrointestinal disturbances, and severe fever is more indicative of infectious diseases rather than pesticide exposure.