Vlcek_2012_Mil.Med.Sci.Lett_81_2

Carbamates neurotoxins are a group of compounds acting as pseudo-irreversible inhibitors of an enzyme acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase. The compounds are well known as pesticides. Some of them, such as rivastigmine, pyridostigmine, and neostigmine, can be used as drugs for Myasthenia gravis or Alzheimer disease as well. The present review is aimed to summarize the basic facts about carbamate pesticides. Legislative aspects, e.g. law No. 326/2004 Coll., in the Czech Republic and examples of accidental exposures to carbamates in the country are provided, too. Other general provisions are determined by the EU, in particular by the Directive 91/414/EHS. The European legislative is discussed, too. Finally, examples of accidental exposures are introduced in the study.