August 1, 2010

ED







ED: emotional disturbance
"Risk = Toxicity + Exposure"





A review of the "Characteristic Signs and Symptoms for Several Pesticide Active Ingredients and Classes of Pesticides" indicates varied states of emotional duress resulting from exposure to certain pesticides (2). Not listed, the pesticide Chlorpyrifos is widely used in the cultivation of GMO Corn on the island of Kauai. Psychiatric symptoms associated with acute exposure to Chlorpyrifos include anxiety, depression, memory loss, confusion, stupor, bizarre behavior, and restlessness. In children symptoms include seizures, flaccid muscle weakness, pupil constriction, excess salivation, and mental status changes including lethargy (3). Repeat or prolonged exposure to chlorpyrifos may result in the same effects as acute exposure, including the delayed symptoms. Other effects reported on workers repeatedly exposed include impaired memory and concentration, disorientation, severe depression, irritability, confusion, headache, speech difficulties, delayed reaction times, nightmares, sleepwalking and drowsiness or insomnia. An influenza-like condition with headache, nausea, weakness, loss of appetite and malaise has also been reported(4).

1. National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities
http://www.nichcy.org
2. Characteristic Signs and Symptoms for Several Pesticide...
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/pesticides/pdfs/pest-cd2app2v2.pdf
3. National Pesticide Information Center : "Chlorpyrifos Fact Sheet"
http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/chlorptech.pdf

4. Chlorpyrifos Fact Sheet
http://www.pan-uk.org/pestnews/Actives/chlorpyr.htm

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