Ointments for the protection against organophosphate poisoning.

Ointments for the protection against poisoning of the skin by highly toxic organophosphates or organophosphate insecticides were prepared and examined for their protective effect both on guinea-pig skin in vitro and on guinea-pigs in vivo. The results of these investigations were as follows: 1. The prophylactic application of the ointments yields 20 fold reduction of the permeation rate of the toxic organophosphate compared with unprotected skin. 2. The ointments on a polyethyleneglycol basis show their best protective effect if they contain both a base and an active substance. 3. Maximum possible protection can be achieved by applying a thick layer of ointment which should be mechanically removed (by wiping with a damp cellulose tissue) from the contamination site within 30 min.