What is paraquat poisoning, by which Greeshma killed her boyfriend Sharon Raj?

Why in the NEWS?

Recently, a court in Thiruvananthapuram sentenced a 24-year-old woman to death for killing her boyfriend, who poisoned her with an herbicide called paraquat.

Key Points:

The woman, Greeshma, had poisoned her the-then 23-year-old boyfriend Sharon Raj, to get out of their romantic relationship.
Greeshma is the youngest woman to face capital punishment in Kerala.
Greeshma was found guilty under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including murder.

What will you read next in this topic?

Paraquat, also known as paraquat dichloride or methyl viologen, is a powerful and toxic chemical used primarily to control weeds in agriculture.
It is a poisonous chemical used to dry out crops such as cotton and improve their production.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified it as a "moderately hazardous" chemical.
Despite this, the chemical is still in use in many countries around the world, including India and the US.

Paraquat toxicity can affect the body in many ways, but it is most dangerous when it is ingested.
Additionally, the chemical can enter the body through skin contact or through the air.
When paraquat is ingested, it directly enters the stomach, intestines, and other body organs and causes severe damage to these organs.
The chemical quickly spreads to the lungs, kidneys, and liver and disrupts the functioning of these organs.

The symptoms of paraquat poisoning depend on how and how much of the chemical enters the body.
If a small amount of paraquat is ingested, the symptoms may develop gradually and may include abdominal pain, swollen throat, nausea, and bloody stools.
If a person has ingested a large amount of paraquat, the condition can be even more severe.
It can cause a person to have problems such as acute kidney failure, respiratory failure, irregular heartbeat, and liver failure.
This type of poisoning may reduce the treatment time and may put the person's life at risk.

There is no known antidote for paraquat poisoning, but there are some treatment methods that can improve a person's condition.
These include swallowing activated charcoal or Multani Mitti.
This type of treatment can help flush the chemical out of the body.
Also, if a person has a paraquat liquid chemical on his body, it needs to be washed immediately.
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) has specifically advised that the person should wash immediately with soap and water and avoid contact with contaminated clothing.

The use of paraquat has been banned in many countries.
- For example, the sale of paraquat has been completely banned in China and the European Union.
However, in the US it is restricted to commercial users and personal use is prohibited.
Despite this, this chemical is often sold without proper training or without a prescription, which poses a risk of misuse.
Use of Paraquat in India
In India, Paraquat is still in widespread use.
However, its use needs to be controlled, as this chemical sometimes inadvertently reaches the wrong hands.
Misuse of this chemical has led to several serious incidents in India, such as cases of murder and suicide.
Ways to prevent misuse of Paraquat
- Use of safety equipment:
  - If you use Paraquat or other chemical products, always use proper safety equipment, such as gloves, masks, and safety goggles.
- Safe storage:
  - Keep Paraquat in a safe place away from children and strangers. Keep it separate from any other food or liquid.
- Training:
  - Get appropriate training before using Paraquat, so that you understand its hazards and correct use.
- Warning labels:
  - Read and follow the warnings given on the packaging. If there are safety instructions on the package, take them seriously.