Spotlight: Do you know what is in the farmers shed? When agrichemicals result in poisoning
Tracks
Track 1
Track 2
Track 3
Track 4
| Thursday, June 25, 2026 |
| 5:27 PM - 5:47 PM |
| Mossman |
Details
Abstract
Agrichemical poisoning presents a distinctive clinical challenge for rural practitioners, where intensive agricultural activity increases the likelihood of both occupational and incidental exposure. Although overall case numbers are modest compared with pharmaceutical poisonings, the clinical severity of pesticide toxicity—particularly from organophosphates, carbamates, and certain herbicides—demands rapid recognition and decisive management. Rural clinicians frequently encounter patients with non-specific early symptoms such as headache, dizziness, GI upset, or respiratory irritation which can obscure the diagnosis without a high index of suspicion.
This presentation focuses on the clinical syndromes most relevant to rural practice. We will outline a practical approach, especially in environments where exposure may be unrecognised or under reported. Management principles—airway protection, decontamination, antidote therapy, and supportive care—are reviewed with an emphasis on resource limited rural settings.
Biography
Dr Mark Little is an emergency physician & clinical toxicologist based in Cairns. He has published widely on envenomation, especially due to marine creatures, disaster medicine and toxicology. Mark is a national leader of Australia’s medical assistance team and teaches on a number of courses on humanitarian assistance, toxicology and toxinology.
Speaker
Dr Mark Little
Emergency Physician & Clinical Toxicologist
Cairns Hospital and NSW Poisons Information Service
Spotlight: Do you know what is in the farmers shed? When agrichemicals result in poisoning
Abstract
Agrichemical poisoning presents a distinctive clinical challenge for rural practitioners, where intensive agricultural activity increases the likelihood of both occupational and incidental exposure. Although overall case numbers are modest compared with pharmaceutical poisonings, the clinical severity of pesticide toxicity—particularly from organophosphates, carbamates, and certain herbicides—demands rapid recognition and decisive management. Rural clinicians frequently encounter patients with non-specific early symptoms such as headache, dizziness, GI upset, or respiratory irritation which can obscure the diagnosis without a high index of suspicion.
This presentation focuses on the clinical syndromes most relevant to rural practice. We will outline a practical approach, especially in environments where exposure may be unrecognised or under reported. Management principles—airway protection, decontamination, antidote therapy, and supportive care—are reviewed with an emphasis on resource limited rural settings.
This presentation focuses on the clinical syndromes most relevant to rural practice. We will outline a practical approach, especially in environments where exposure may be unrecognised or under reported. Management principles—airway protection, decontamination, antidote therapy, and supportive care—are reviewed with an emphasis on resource limited rural settings.
Biography
Dr Mark Little is an emergency physician & clinical toxicologist based in Cairns. He has published widely on envenomation, especially due to marine creatures, disaster medicine and toxicology. Mark is a national leader of Australia’s medical assistance team and teaches on a number of courses on humanitarian assistance, toxicology and toxinology.
Host
RDAQ2026
Presenter
Mark Little
Emergency Physician & Clinical Toxicologist
Cairns Hospital and NSW Poisons Information Service
