Colleagues, the following is FYI and does not necessarily reflect my own
opinion. I have no further knowledge of the topic.
------------------------
Public release date: 28-Apr-2005
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-04/nioe-uoi042805.php
Contact: Robin Mackar
[log in to unmask]
919-541-0073
NIH/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Use of insecticides linked to lasting neurological problems for farmers
New research shows that farmers who used agricultural insecticides
experienced increased neurological symptoms, even when they were no
longer using the products. Data from18,782 North Carolina and Iowa
farmers linked use of insecticides, including organophosphates and
organochlorines, to reports of reoccurring headaches, fatigue, insomnia,
dizziness, nausea, hand tremors, numbness and other neurological
symptoms. Some of the insecticides addressed by the study are still on
the market, but some, including DDT, have been banned or restricted.
These findings will be available online in April, and published in the
June issue of Environmental Health Perspectives. The research is part of
the ongoing Agricultural Health Study funded by the National Institute
of Environmental Health Sciences and the National Cancer Institute, two
of the National Institutes of Health, and the Environmental Protection
Agency.
"This research is really important because it evaluated the health
effects of agricultural chemicals as they were commonly used by farmers.
It's different from previous studies that focused on pesticide poisoning
or high dose exposures, for example when large amounts of a chemical
were accidentally spilled on the skin," said Freya Kamel, Ph.D., a
researcher for the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
(NIEHS).
The NIEHS researchers examined questionnaires completed by farmers on
lifetime exposure to herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and
fumigants, and their history of 23 neurological symptoms. Those who
reported experiencing more than 10 symptoms during the year prior to
completing a study questionnaire were classified as having high levels
of symptoms.
Researchers found that nearly 3,000 participants had a high lifetime
exposure to insecticides -- that is, they used insecticides more than
500 days in their lifetime. Nearly 800 of these farmers reported more
than 10 neurological symptoms compared to those using insecticides fewer
than 50 days. The researchers found no significant association between
neurological symptoms and other chemicals, including herbicides or
fungicides, and only a weak association between fumigant exposure and
neurological symptoms.
Some of the insecticides used by the licensed farmers over the past 25
years are no longer available commercially. DDT, a well known example of
an organochlorine, has been banned for use in the US since 1972.
Organophosphates, such as malathion, chlorypyrifos, and diazinon, have
been banned or restricted for home and garden use in the US. However,
some of the pesticides examined, including carbaryl and some
pyrethroids, are available to home gardeners, although in different
formulations and in lower concentrations, which may make them less
hazardous.
"Because the participants in this study are telling us they have never
been previously diagnosed with pesticide poisoning or medically treated
for any exposure to any pesticide, we are led to conclude that their
symptoms are related to moderate lifetime exposure," said Dr. Kamel.
"Most studies of this issue have sample sizes ranging from 50 to 100
participants, making it hard to understand the detailed relationship
between exposure and health effects. The large size of this study gives
it great statistical power," said Dr. Kamel
###
The AHS (http://www.aghealth.org/) is designed to investigate the
effects of environmental, occupational, dietary, and genetic factors on
the health of the agricultural population. The study will provide
information that agricultural workers can use in making decisions about
their health and the health of their families.
NIEHS looks at factors in the environment that may be harmful to human
health. More information about NIEHS and the Agricultural Health Study
can be found at http://www.niehs.nih.gov
--
Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD < [log in to unmask] >
"Ask the Parkinson Dietitian" http://www.parkinson.org/
"Eat well, stay well with Parkinson's disease"
"Parkinson's disease: Guidelines for Medical Nutrition Therapy"
http://www.nutritionucanlivewith.com/
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