New Evidence Shows The Lasting Effects of Pesticide Exposure

By:Dave Saunders

A new study suggests that moderate exposure to pesticides could yield long-term negative results to the people exposed to them. These findings should serve as warning to those who indiscriminately spray pesticides around the house, exposing their children, pets and other loved ones.
This new research shows that farmers who used agricultural insecticides experienced increased neurological symptoms, even when they were no longer using the products. Data from 18,782 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).
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.
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.
Organophosphate insecticides, such as diazinon, disulfoton, azinphos-methyl, and fonofos, are used widely in agriculture and around the house. With over 25,000 brands of pesticides available in the United States, the use of organophosphates is probably more common than most people suspect. Many toxic nerve agents, used in milary applications are also also organophosphates.
Organochlorines are named as organic molecules bound with chlorine atoms. These include PCBs and DDT. Some organochlorines are also known as xenoestrogens because of their ability to mimic estrogen in the body. These compounds have been theorized to be at the root of a variety of estrogen-dominate illnesses in woman, like endometriosis and in wide spread genetic defects in wildlife like the three-legged frogs reported in Florida.
While this report does focus on farmers whose "moderate exposure" is likely higher than most people in the home, this report should serve as a caution to indiscriminate use of such products in the house and especially in the presence of children and those with weakened immune systems. Many of these compounds were initially popular because of their hardiness in the environment, meaning the compounds last longer to provide more killing effectiveness. This may be a good feature for the economics of agriculture and warfare, but at what consequence?

Digg del.icio.us Blink Stumble Spurl Reddit Netscape Furl

Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com

Dave Saunders is a certified nutritional educator, wellness coach, member of the American International Association of Nutritional Education (AIANE) and author. He is also the host of a weekly, nation-wide telephone lecture on health and nutrition.
For additional information, please visit his site on nutrition and glyconutrients at www.glycoboy.com or www.glycowellness.com or email Dave at dave@glycoboy.com

Top Environment Articles
1). Health Problems Caused By Air Pollution By : Charles Kassotis Air pollution causes many problems with the ecology of the planet. However, the most immediate concerns for many humans are the health risks it poses for people.
2). Why Your Mattress May Be Killing You By : Mark Sweiger The organic movement, which started with organic food, is moving to the bedroom in a big way. "The bedroom? " you say. Yes, my dear, the bedroom, wher
3). Wisconsin bans hunting by Internet By : Kevin Doberstein article intro: Wisconsin has passed a ban on hunting by internet. You have permission to publish this article electronicallyor in print,
4). Collapsing By : Terry Dashner �Collapsing��Terry Dashner��..Faith Fellowship Church PO Box 1586 Broken Arrow, OK 74013Capitol Reader Political Book Summaries
5). Will Soy Candles be the Leader to Light the Future? By : Brian F Connors Ahhhh, the scent and sight of a burning paraffin wax candle and the appealing ambiance that it floats throughout a room! One may think that this scena
6). Become The Change You Want To See By : Annett Tate True change works from the inside out... change yourself first, then the world
7). Looking After Leather By : Jane Lake With a little care, you can keep leather clothing looking its best for years, according to an expert on leater from The Olde Hide House in Acton
8). Living in Arizona Boulders--Where did they come from? By : Robert Norman Living in Arizona Boulders -- Where did they come from?When most people think of building a secluded home, they think of tall trees and large
9). Clearing out hallways By : Mary Lambert The door and hallway is considered the mouth and throat of the home in feng shui, the ancient Chinese art of furniture placement and energy flow, so i
10). Earthquakes and Tsunamis By : Sam Vaknin TsunamisTsunami - a seismic sea wave - means in Japanese "harbor-wave". It is also misleadingly called "tidal wave". It is an ocean wave cause

New Environment Articles
1). Alternative Energy Solutions In A Time Of Power Crisis By : Isabel Baldry It is unofficial - but around the world many of us agree on one thing: it is very likely that there will be an energy crisis in the future. Many experts believe this problem can only be solved by the use of alternative energy solutions.
2). Good Water With Water Purifier By : Keith George Good quality water purifier will give water that is pure in all respects like physically, microbiologically and organically without any chances of being contaminated again.
3). An Introduction to No-Dig Gardening By : Justin Brown The idea of no-dig gardening was developed by an Australian named Esther Deans. It was originally both developed both as a labor saving idea, and a method to rejuvenate badly depleted soil in a vegetable garden.
4). Monaco - Luxury Yacht Show Fights Global Warming By : Henri Boulanger 22,000 visitors, 95 super Yachts and 530 exhibitors are heading to Monaco for the annual yacht show... and the organisers have pulled off a balancing act of a luxury yacht show that isn't damaging the environment.
5). Finding Some Effective Cold Remedies By : Emmanuel St Cyr While the symptoms of a cold are hard to alleviate completely, I have found some remedies for colds that help reduce the longevity of the virus. Most doctors will tell you drink plenty of fluids, and this definitely helps.
6). Phuket Largest Of All Island In Thailand Most Popular By : Suwat Munpan Phuket Largest Of All Island In Thailand Most Popular - Quickly and Easily!
7). Using Plants To Make Us Happier By : Justin Brown If we fill our time taking care of plants we can get rid of stress, it is a scientifically proved thing. Taking care of our green friends (the ones with leaves not Aliens!) we will discover new hidden sides of our personality and will get to know better h
8). Fighting Plant Enemies By : Justin Brown Keeping your garden in top shape can be a tiring job, especially when there are many plant enemies to fight.
9). Oil Prices, Our Economy and National Disasters By : Jaci Rae With the rising cost of fuel, is our economy on the brink of disaster?
10). Health Problems Caused By Air Pollution By : Charles Kassotis Air pollution causes many problems with the ecology of the planet. However, the most immediate concerns for many humans are the health risks it poses for people.

� 2006 articles2k.com - Privacy Policy