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

Pesticides and Health EffectsPesticides and Health Effects

InsecticidesFungicidesHerbicides

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

For more information…For more information…

Visit the Ag Health Study’s Web site

www.aghealth.org

Toxicity InformationToxicity Information

National Pesticide Telecommunication Network 1-800-858-7378

Extoxnet ace.orst.edu/info/extoxnet/Poison Control Centers 1-800-222-1222

Ohio State University Extension, Pesticide Education Program pested.osu.edu