Organophosphate: Organophosphate, a chemical in pesticides and insecticides, is suspected to be behind the 17 deaths in Baddal village, J&K.

• About: Organophosphates are chemical compounds formed through the esterification process involving phosphoric acid and alcohol.

o These chemicals serve as primary components in herbicides, pesticides, and insecticides and have extensive application in manufacturing plastics and solvents.

o Organophosphates can undergo hydrolysis and release alcohol from the ester bond.

o Organophosphates are also the primary constituents of nerve gas.

o They can be toxic and can harm the nervous systems of humans and animals. 

• Symptoms: Victims exhibited fever, breathing issues, and sweating.
• Treatment Response: Improvement seen in patients after administering atropine injections, used to treat organophosphate toxicity.
• Organophosphate Use: Protects crops from pests and controls disease spread by insects but disrupts nerve signal transmission with fatal results.