Environmental health: pesticide poisoning in a community: practice question

A PSM question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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PSM · Environmental health: pesticide poisoning in a community

Sample item

Villages near cashew plantations in Kerala that had been aerially sprayed for years reported clusters of congenital malformations, epilepsy and intellectual disability in children. Which pesticide was implicated?

AParaquatBMalathionCEndosulfanDDDT

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Endosulfan

Endosulfan is an organochlorine insecticide that persists in the environment and bioaccumulates. Its aerial spraying in cashew plantations of Kasaragod district was linked to neurological and congenital disorders in nearby residents. It has since been banned in India.

Option by option

A. Paraquat
Paraquat is a herbicide that causes pulmonary fibrosis on ingestion and is not linked to this cluster.
B. Malathion
Malathion is a short-lived organophosphate that does not accumulate like an organochlorine.
C. Endosulfan (correct)
Correct. This is the classic Kasaragod endosulfan episode.
D. DDT
DDT is used for indoor residual spraying against mosquitoes and is not linked to this episode.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is C, Endosulfan. Endosulfan is an organochlorine insecticide that persists in the environment and bioaccumulates.

Why is "Paraquat" not the answer?

Paraquat is a herbicide that causes pulmonary fibrosis on ingestion and is not linked to this cluster.

Why is "Malathion" not the answer?

Malathion is a short-lived organophosphate that does not accumulate like an organochlorine.

Why is "DDT" not the answer?

DDT is used for indoor residual spraying against mosquitoes and is not linked to this episode.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Environmental health: pesticide poisoning in a community in PSM. Its aerial spraying in cashew plantations of Kasaragod district was linked to neurological and congenital disorders in nearby residents. It has since been banned in India.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Environmental health: pesticide poisoning in a community?

Practise biostatistics with small calculations until sensitivity, predictive values and risk measures are automatic. Then use the flashcards and the other PSM questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.