pesticide poisoning symptoms and other health issues joanne kick-raack state coordinator, pesticide...
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Pesticide Poisoning Pesticide Poisoning Symptoms and Other Health Symptoms and Other Health
IssuesIssues
Joanne Kick-Raack
State Coordinator, Pesticide Education Programs
The Ohio State University Extension
ObjectivesObjectives
Briefly review acute and chronic effectsHighlight some common pesticides and
their effects on healthShare early results of National Agricultural
Health StudyAnswer your questions/concerns
Acute or Chronic?Acute or Chronic?
Acute Effects– Immediate “poisoning” or harm– Based on LD50 values– Most sensitive route determines Signal Word
Acute or Chronic Effects?Acute or Chronic Effects?
Chronic Effects– Long-term effects from small doses over time– Not necessarily on label– Some information on MSDS
Chronic EffectsChronic Effects Carcinogenicity-cancer Mutagenicity-genetic changes Teratogenicity- birth defects Oncogenicity-tumor growth (not necessarily
cancers) Liver damage Reproductive disorders-sperm count, sterility,
miscarriage Nerve damage Allergenic sensitization
Material Safety Data Sheets Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)(MSDS)
Provides information on chronic toxicityRefers to the concentrate rather than dilute
product
Organophosphates and Organophosphates and CarbamatesCarbamates
Examples: Lorsban, Diazinon, Sevin, Malathion, Furadan and many others
Cause of most acute pesticide poisoningsInhibit cholinesterase, affect the nervous
systemEffect is reversibleMonitor with blood tests
Signs and Sypmtoms of Signs and Sypmtoms of Cholinesterase InhibitionCholinesterase Inhibition
Affects the nervous system Can be confused with flu, or heat exhaustion Mild poisoning symptoms
– Headache, fatigue, dizziness, loss of appetite, nausea, cramps, diarrhea
– Blurred vision, excessive tearing, contracted pupils– Excessive sweating and salivation (this is not true for
heat stress)– Slowed heartbeat
Cholinesterase cont’dCholinesterase cont’d
Moderately severe– Unable to walk– Chest discomfort and tightness– Pinpoint pupils– Muscle twitching– Involuntary urination and bowel movement
Severe– Seizures, incontinence, unconsciousness,
Aggregate and Cumulative Aggregate and Cumulative ExposureExposure
Food Quality Protection Act –in reexamining pesticides EPA adds all exposures from all pesticides in a group (ex.organophosphates) together to estimate public health risks.
Organophosphates will be reviewed together after reviewed individually
Natural Pyrethrum/Pyrethrins Natural Pyrethrum/Pyrethrins and Rotenoneand Rotenone
Crude pyrethrum is a dermal and respiratory irritant
Asthma has occurred after exposuresRefined pyrethrins less allergenic but some
irritant and sensitizing propertiesRotenone has little human hazard
– Hazardous to fish, birds,
Synthetic PyrethroidsSynthetic Pyrethroids
Examples: Baythroid, PounceSynthetic mimics of natural pyrethrinsSystemic toxicity by inhalation or skin
absorption is low—few human poisoningsDermal and respiratory irritation
– Stinging, itching, tingling progressing to numbness
Natural Inorganic InsecticidesNatural Inorganic Insecticides
Boric Acid and Borates– Irritating to skin– Infants- “boiled lobster appearance” –redness,
followed by peeling of skin
Sulfur– Dermatitis-skin irritation– Irritation of eyes and respiratory tract
FungicidesFungicides
Most are unlikely to cause severe or frequent poisonings
Cause irritant injuries to skin and mucous membranes, dermal sensitization
FungicidesFungicides
Chlorothalonil’s (Daconil) potential to cause cancer is unclear
EBDC’s under FQPA review as group– Can degrade to ETU which can produce cancer
in mice– However, do not appear to be carcinogenic
HerbicidesHerbicides
Many can irritate skin, eyes and respiratory track
Low systemic toxicityEx. Some Round-up calls for eye protection
Diquat/ParaquatDiquat/Paraquat
Paraquat more toxic (orally)– Large doses (6-8oz.) produces fatal lung changes.– Fluid accumulation in lungs can occur in 24 to 72 hrs.
Respiratory failure.– Exposure may cause blackening and abnormal growth
of nails
Diquat affects eye lens and intestinal tract lining—vomiting.
Both cause skin irritation and burning
2,4-D and MCPA2,4-D and MCPA
Moderately irritating to skin and mucous membranes
May cause burning sensations in nose, sinuses and chest, dizziness
Not “agent orange” Agent orange issue was from dioxin
contaminant in the manufacture of 2,4,5-T
2,4-D and Cancer 2,4-D and Cancer
There are no reports that indicate a direct link between 2,4-D exposure and cancer in humans.
Some concern about higher rates of a type of cancer, non-Hodgkins lymphoma, among farmers, ag workers and pesticide applicators but different studies are not consistent.
2,4-D and Cancer2,4-D and Cancer
Most studies have not found a relationship between exposure to chlorophenoxy herbicides and soft sarcoma.
Current evidence does not indicate that exposures to 2,4-D are linked with an increased incidence of breast cancer in humans or experimental animals.
Atrazine and CancerAtrazine and Cancer
Found in drinking waterUnder special review Based on scientific evidence presented,
EPA reclassified atrazine as “not likely to be a human carcinogen”
Will be evaluating endocrine disruption– Controversial “frog deformity” studies
Organochlorines and CancerOrganochlorines and Cancer
DDT/DDE, dieldrin, chlordaneAccumulate in fatty tissuesNo conclusive evidenceInfertile alligators and reduced sperm
counts
Chronic Effects and Chronic Effects and ControversyControversy
CancerEndocrine disruption
– Infertility and sperm counts
Multiple chemical sensitivity
Endocrine DisruptionEndocrine Disruption
Hormones, alter bodily functions, development, and growth
We are only starting to gather information on which chemicals are endocrine disruptors and at what level they have an effect.
FQPA mandates testing of pesticides for endocrine disruption
New screening tests must be developed—very difficult
Multiple Chemical SensitivityMultiple Chemical Sensitivity
More frequent in womenVery controversial whether it is really a
disease
Food Quality Protection ActFood Quality Protection Act
All older pesticides must be reevaluated based on new standards
Evaluating risk based on cumulative and aggregate exposure
New testing for endocrine disruptionHigher protection factor for children
A Landmark Study of Agricultural A Landmark Study of Agricultural Workers and Their FamiliesWorkers and Their Families
Agricultural Health StudyAgricultural Health Study
Agricultural Health Agricultural Health
StudyStudy A large, prospective
cohort studyGoal: Establish a large group of people associated with pesticide application and
follow them for many years to evaluate the relationship between agricultural exposures
and disease
What is the Ag Health Study?What is the Ag Health Study?Long-term study to investigate effects
of several factors on the health of the agricultural population. These factors include• Environmental Dietary• Occupational Genetic factors
Exposures Experienced by Exposures Experienced by FarmersFarmers
PESTICIDES/
FertilizersFuels and oilsAnimal virusesOrganic solvents
Engine exhausts
PaintsGrain dustsWelding
fumes
Who are they studying?Who are they studying?Participants are commercial &
private pesticide applicators
(& spouses, if married) in Iowa & North Carolina
89,658 subjects in first 5 years (58,564 from IA & 31,094 from NC)
QuestionnairesQuestionnairesOccupational FactorsOccupational Factors
Pesticides used Pesticide application
methods used PPE use (current and
10 years ago) Other farm activities
& exposures
QuestionnairesQuestionnairesLifestyle & Dietary FactorsLifestyle & Dietary Factors
Diet Cooking practices Physical activity Smoking Alcohol consumption Hair dye use
Mortality Followup (1994-1998) for Iowa Mortality Followup (1994-1998) for Iowa Private ApplicatorsPrivate Applicators
Cause of Death SMR Obs/Exp
All Causes 0.4 333/848All Cancer 0.4 111/259
Colon 0.7 16/23 Pancreas1.0 12/13
Lung 0.2 21/95Prostate 0.3 6/19
Brain 0.6 6/10Lymphoma 0.9 11/13Leukemia 0.7 7/10
Cardiovascular Disease 0.4 115/277
COPD 0.2 7/43
Accidents 1.0 46/48
Non-motor vehicle 1.2 30/25
N = 31,877; person-years = 109,630
Early FindingsEarly Findings
Farmers are healthier and live longer than the general population
Overall they have less cancerThere are a few cancers that appear to be
slightly higher in occurrence
Malignant Cancer Incidence Follow-upMalignant Cancer Incidence Follow-up(1994-1998) for Iowa Members(1994-1998) for Iowa Members
Cancer Site SIR Obs/Exp*All Sites 0.81 850/1050.3Buccal cavity & pharynx 0.56 18/32.2Digestive system 0.77 143/186.8Respiratory system 0.27 49/184.1Skin melanomas 1.28 48/37.4FEMALE BREAST 1.19 134/112.2Female genital system 0.68 35/51.4PROSTATE 1.25 245/196.7Urinary system 0.58 28/48.4Brain & CNS 0.91 15/16.5Lymphoma 0.73 64/87.7
* Expected based on rates for entire state of Iowa, 1995-98
Retinal DegenerationRetinal DegenerationAlso called macular degenerationLeading cause of blindness in older
adultsDamage or breakdown of the retina of
the eye, causing loss of central vision
Retinal degeneration & pesticide useRetinal degeneration & pesticide useIncidence related to fungicide useFungicide applications to orchard fruits
(apples or peaches), Christmas trees, or peanuts were involved
Association was more pronounced with increasing lifetime days of fungicide use
Association with prior organochlorine (aldrin, DDT) pesticide use was noted
Retinal degeneration & pesticide useRetinal degeneration & pesticide use
Results similar in Iowa & North Carolina applicators
Based on 154 applicators reporting doctor’s diagnosis of this condition & 17,804 applicators who did not
More work needed to determine whether this relationship will be true for all data sets
How is the study funded?How is the study funded?Primary funding provided by the
National Cancer InstituteAdditional funding from the
– National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
– U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – National Institute for Occupational Safety
& Health