Feb. 17, 2016
Scientists are examining links between exposure to the most
widely used pesticides in Australia and degenerative conditions such as
Parkinson's disease.
The National Centre for Farmer Health (NCFH) will test farmers'
exposure to organophosphate pesticides over 12 months and document the effect
on the farmers' nervous systems.
Flinders University toxicologist Associate Professor John
Edwards said aggressive cancers, neurological and psychotic conditions had been
linked to long-term exposure, but very little research had been done.
What we're trying to show to farmers is that
the level of exposure they may have had today will have an impact on them.
Associate Professor John Edwards, toxicologist
"What we do know is that farmers and pesticide sprayers are
at risk of some cancers," he said.
"We don't know which pesticides are the contributors to
that disease and we don't know whether it's the mixture of chemicals or other
lifestyle factors that might contribute.
"It's still quite a speculative argument to say that
farmers are more at risk of Parkinson's due to their exposure to insecticides,
and one of the problems there is that the design of the studies that have been
done to look for this link are relatively poor."
Organophosphates attack an insect's nervous system, causing
instant death.
The question is whether they are doing something similar to
humans over time.
"We find that it is relatively safe, provided exposure is
limited," Associate Professor Edwards said.
"However, the problem for humans is that it's an
accumulated toxin; that is, the effect accumulates over time with repeated
exposure.
"What we're trying to show to farmers is that the level of
exposure they may have had today will have an impact on them.
"Even if they don't have any symptoms now, they may then
accumulate an effect with a subsequent exposure in a week or two or a month
later."
Pesticides banned overseas, but
'vital' to Australian agriculture
Organophosphates have been banned in the United States and restricted
in the United Kingdom and Europe.
But in Australia the chemicals are regularly used in a list of
industries including sheep, beef, grain and dairy.
Associate Professor Edwards said it was hard to imagine
agricultural production without them.
"Remember that Australia is very, very buggy," he
said.
"We have probably a greater need for effective insecticides
in Australia and especially in agriculture.
"The benefits in this case could outweigh the risk ... the
trick here is to be able to use them safely."
Associate Professor Edwards said education was more important
than regulation, stressing restrictions or bans could prompt a dangerous black
market.
"When chemicals are banned and farmers still want to use
them for economic reasons, because it helps their crop, they will find ways
around the ban," he said.
Years after organochloride pesticide DDT
[dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane] was banned in Australia, Associate Professor
Edwards was called out to a number of chemical spills.
"I remember someone had bought a 44-gallon drum of DDT even
though it was banned," he said.
"It was so old, the drum was rusty and when he got it home
it burst open and spilled all over their yard.
"The next day we got a second call because another drum was
found, which had done the same thing."
Research to empower farmers,
encourage safe management
Farmers who participate in the research will be tested every
month over 12 months, and will receive instant feedback on their exposure
levels.
The test involves measuring the level of cholinesterase enzymes,
which are needed for the proper functioning of the nervous system.
Organophosphates inhibit cholinesterase, and regular tests will
detail the impact of chemical use on a farmers' enzyme levels.
Associate Professor Edwards said information about the invisible
impacts would empower farmers to improve safety standards.
"What it becomes is a matter of farmers recognising the
practices that they undertake, which increases their risk," he said.
"So a part of what we're doing is also an estimate of their
exposure by talking to them about what they've been doing during each
interval."
The NCFH is calling on
farmers in western Victoria to participate in the research and will
set up three localities of interest in the Wimmera and south-west.
http://health.einnews.com/article/312053649/h38FPHI8abSz9al4
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