Council Activ - Complete Profile

Composition

Manufacturer

Mode of Action

• Triafamone - HPPD (4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase) inhibitor - blocks carotenoid biosynthesis, causing bleaching and death of grasses
• Ethoxysulfuron - ALS (Acetolactate Synthase) inhibitor - stops amino acid synthesis in sedges and broadleaf weeds

Target Crop

• Transplanted rice
• Wet direct-seeded rice (DSR)

Weeds Controlled

• Grasses (including Echinochloa spp. - Barnyard grass, the most damaging rice weed)
• Sedges (Cyperus spp., Scirpus spp.)
• Broadleaf weeds (Monochoria, Ludwigia, Sphenoclea, etc.)

Dosage & Application

Key Advantages

1. Dual mode of action - targets grasses, sedges, and broadleafs in one spray
2. Selective - safe for rice crop while killing weeds
3. WG formulation - easy to measure, mix, and apply; no dust hazard
4. One-shot solution - reduces need for multiple herbicide applications
5. Contact + residual activity - controls emerged weeds and suppresses new flushes

Safety Notes

• Keep standing water (2-3 cm) in the field for 3-5 days after application for best results
• Avoid spray drift to non-target crops (broadleaf crops like vegetables, pulses are sensitive to ALS inhibitors)
• Do not apply during very hot midday hours or before heavy rain

Council Activ Poisoning - Clinical Guide

Important Note: Council Activ belongs to two herbicide classes - HPPD inhibitors (Triafamone) and ALS inhibitors/sulfonylureas (Ethoxysulfuron). These are considered low-to-moderate toxicity herbicides compared to highly dangerous ones like paraquat or organophosphates. There is no specific antidote - management is supportive.

Toxicity Profile

Routes of Exposure

1. Ingestion (most serious - accidental or intentional)
2. Dermal (skin contact during mixing/spraying)
3. Inhalation (spray mist during application)
4. Ocular (spray splash)

Symptoms by Route

Ingestion

• Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea
• Oral/throat irritation or burning (from surfactants)
• In large amounts: dizziness, headache, weakness
• Hypoglycemia possible with large sulfonylurea doses (ethoxysulfuron)
• Rarely: liver or kidney stress in massive ingestion

Dermal Contact

• Skin irritation, redness, rash
• Rarely causes systemic toxicity through intact skin

Inhalation

• Throat irritation, coughing, mild respiratory discomfort
• Usually resolves after leaving exposure area

Eye Contact

• Redness, tearing, pain, temporary blurred vision

Emergency First Aid (Field Level)

Hospital Management

1. Decontamination

• Dermal: Remove clothing, wash with soap and water
• Ocular: Copious irrigation (at least 15-20 min), check for corneal injury
• Ingestion (within 1 hour, alert patient): Consider activated charcoal 1 g/kg (up to 50-100 g) - per Rosen's Emergency Medicine protocol for herbicide ingestions
• Do NOT induce vomiting (risk of aspiration, especially with surfactants)

2. Supportive Care

• IV fluids for dehydration from vomiting/diarrhea
• Monitor blood glucose - sulfonylurea-class compounds can rarely cause hypoglycemia; treat with IV dextrose if needed
• Anti-emetics for persistent vomiting (e.g., ondansetron)
• Analgesics for GI pain (avoid NSAIDs if GI irritation severe)

3. Investigations

• Blood glucose (serial monitoring - sulfonylurea risk)
• Liver function tests, renal function
• Electrolytes
• CBC
• ECG if symptomatic

4. Antidote

• No specific antidote exists for Triafamone or Ethoxysulfuron
• All treatment is supportive and symptomatic

5. Disposition

• Mild exposure (skin/eye/inhalation): Usually can be managed and discharged with observation
• Ingestion: Admit for at least 6-12 hours of observation and serial glucose monitoring
• Large ingestion or symptomatic: Extended admission, specialist toxicology consultation

Key Points to Tell the Doctor

1. Product name: Council Activ
2. Active ingredients: Triafamone 20% + Ethoxysulfuron 10% WG
3. Amount ingested / duration of exposure
4. Time elapsed since exposure
5. Any symptoms already present

Prognosis

• For accidental/occupational exposure (typical small amounts): Very good outcome with basic decontamination
• For intentional large ingestion: Requires hospital care but generally much better prognosis than organophosphate or paraquat poisoning
• The WG (granule) formulation is actually less dangerous than liquid concentrates as absorption is slower

If you suspect poisoning, call the National Poison Control Helpline immediately: India: 1800-116-117 (Toll Free) or 011-26589391

⚠️ URGENT - Please Read Carefully

Why Ryle's Tube Aspiration is NOT Useful Now

• Gastric decontamination (lavage, activated charcoal) is only effective within 1-2 hours of ingestion
• At 12 hours, the herbicide has already been fully absorbed from the gut into the bloodstream
• Aspirating now will yield nothing useful and only risks:
  • Aspiration pneumonia (if vomiting occurs during tube insertion)
  • Airway injury
  • Esophageal trauma
  • Causing unnecessary distress to the patient

What Matters RIGHT NOW (12 Hours Post-Ingestion)

Immediate Priorities:

1. Blood glucose - Check NOW and every 2-4 hours (ethoxysulfuron is a sulfonylurea-class herbicide - risk of delayed hypoglycemia)
2. IV access - Establish if not already done
3. Renal function - Urea, creatinine (herbicide excretion is renal)
4. Liver function - ALT, AST
5. Electrolytes + CBC
6. Urine output - Monitor hourly if symptomatic
7. IV fluids - For hydration and to support renal clearance

Watch for:

• Hypoglycemia (sweating, confusion, tremors) - give IV dextrose if occurs
• Persistent vomiting - give ondansetron
• Abdominal pain - supportive management
• Any neurological changes - sign of systemic toxicity

Current Clinical Status - Tell Me:

• Is the patient conscious and oriented?
• Any vomiting, dizziness, or weakness at present?
• What is the current blood glucose?
• Approximate amount ingested (how many grams of the product)?

Call Poison Control India: 1800-116-117 (Toll Free) for real-time guidance from a toxicologist.