Paraquat lung

Definition:

A lung disease caused by the weed killer Paraquat (dipyridylium).

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Paraquat is a weed killer used by the ATF (department of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms) for the large-scale destruction of marijuana plants. Drug dealers, in an effort to salvage their crops, harvest the Paraquat tainted marijuana and sell it. The unsuspecting marijuana smoker then inhales the Paraquat while inhaling smoke. Paraquat may cause lung damage by inhalation, absorption through the gut, or through intact skin.

Ingestion of Paraquat rapidly cause death from respiratory failure due to a form of proliferative alveolitis. Inhalation of Paraquat in marijuana smoke takes longer to produce pulmonary fibrosis. The lung damage caused by Paraquat decreases oxygen exchange across the alveoli. The lungs also become fibrotic and stiff with the appearance of adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Administering oxygen to improve the blood oxygen level may actually increase the damage to the lung.

In the lung, Paraquat causes hemorrhage, inflammation of the bronchioles and alveoli, the formation of a hyaline membrane, and fibrosis. Paraquat may also damage the kidneys, liver, mouth, and esophagus.