Metabolism of pesticides

The metabolism of pesticides, like that of many other chemicals, takes place mainly in the liver, skin, gastrointestinal tract, kidneys and lungs. These organs have the capacity to bring about enzymatic reactions of metabolism. In this chapter, metabolism of pesticides is exemplified by the metabolic pathways of the organochlorine, DDT, and the organophosphate, parathion. Metabolism means more than just one thing. On one hand, the chemical and enzymatic reactions and processes that maintain the existence of any organism may be referred to as metabolism. On the other hand, metabolism may mean the conversion or transformation of chemical substances foreign and endogenous to an organism by chemical or enzymatic reactions in the organism. “Foreign compounds" refers to non-nutrient substances to a specific organism. Pesticides may enter the body by way of ingestion in food or drink, inhalation, through the eyes or by absorption through the skin (Neal, 1975). The metabolism of pesticides, that is, the total fate of pesticides in the body, including their absorption, distribution, biotransformation and excretion like that of other foreign substances is handled in the body by certain organs. Although the liver is perhaps the major organ involved in metabolism of chemicals, the kidney, skin, the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and the lungs are all involved in metabolism too (Briggs and Briggs, 1974). A more detailed account of the mechanisms of metabolism is presented by Williams (1959) and La du et al. (1971).

A research paper on how pesticides infiltrate the biological systems of living organisms.