Re: Another good article on the link between ALS and Organophosphates

[Guest guest]

This should concern everyone as we live in a chemical crazed world... Imagine

living in Florida (and I am sure other warm areas) where people have chemicals

sprayed on their laws all the time, all in the name of not wanting to see any

bugs or weeds and they want a lush green lawn... I've lived her for 37 years and

have never used a chemical company... I still don't understand what their

purpose is... If I have a problem, I spot spray only.. If my neighbors have a

problem, the chemical company sprays the whole yard.. With an acre of land, my

property used to be all grass when I bought it... Now it is about 10% grass, the

rest is all gardens, shrubs and hedges... These don't need spraying of any kind,

and seldom needs watering... I use a lot of wood chips (as you all know :-) )

as my pathways and in my gardens, they keep the moisture in the soil.

Fortunately, the law in FL now states when a chemical company sprays someone's

property, they must post a sign to alert others... This does little good for at

large dogs and cats, but then there is a leash law here also... I never allow my

pets out on their own and mostly they are allowed on my property only (leashed)

as I know it is chemical free...

Oh, and my lawn looks just as good as my neighbors... :-) All chemical free...

Take care,

Jim

>

> ORGANOPHOSPHATE POISONING

> and its relationship to ALS

> Contributed by Dennis M. Dowd, MEd.

>

> (ALS) Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or (MND) Motor Neurone Disease are

referred to as ALS/MND. PALS is short for People (or a person) with ALS.

>

> Back to Home Page

>

> Results of Survey:

> The symptoms and effects of organophosphate and ALS are striking. Over fifty

responses were received including the scientific community and feedback from the

PALS and family members. This paper reviews responses to the Hypothesis.

>

> Preface:

> The target effects of insecticides on turf insects mirror ALS disease. For

example, the insecticide Malathion, an Organophosphate (OP), is designed to

affect the nervous system of the insect. It inhibits the enzyme

acetylcholinestrase (AChE) that breaks down choline, a chemical used to transmit

nerve impulses across a junction between nerves. (Cremlyn, R.J.- Wiley & Son

pp123-135) The use of these materials is essential to maintaining a fine

athletic turf.

>

> Athletes such as golfers in training and play have higher rates of respiration

and consume more calories per unit body weight than normal adults do. At the

same time they are exposed to chemicals necessary for fine turf. Just think of

how many times in a round of golf one would handle a club, insert and remove a

tee, or wipe off the ball followed by something to drink or eat. Secondary

contamination provides a method of entry for the chemicals by touch, feel,

taste, inhalation and chemical off-gassing.

>

> Synopsis:

> Lou Gehrig died of ALS on June 2, 1941. After more than 60 years still no one

knows specifically what triggers ALS. Or why ALS affected Lou Gehrig, Jim

" Catfish " Hunter, Jeff n, Steve Shackel, Major Donnelly, Leone

Simpson and Matt Dowd-DX Sporadic ALS 01-02.

>

> A preponderance of data exists supporting medical and scientific advancements

to cure ALS. All efforts to find a cure are essential. The identification of

" Familial " form of ALS is an example of outstanding success. Reducing the ALS

afflictions from 8000 (est. ALSTDF) per year to 4000 would present a similar

success story by just understanding how ALS starts.

>

> Other reports estimate 3-5000 cases of ALS diagnosed yearly. Jeffery

Rothstein, M.D, PhD at s Hopkins acknowledges patients are 20 to 50 % into

the disease before they are diagnosed. Establishment of a national registry of

Familial and Sporadic ALS would be invaluable identifying the actual number and

just how big the problem is.

>

> Is there a Decontamination Gene?

> Genetics determine who is susceptible to Organophosphates and who is not.

>

> Chemist Dr. Clement Furlong at the University of Washington conducted a study

of the organophosphates (OP) exerting their lethal effects by blocking a crucial

neurotransmitter called acetylcholin. In this study his group demonstrated PON1

breaks down and destroys the super-lethal component of OP, a chemical called

paraoxon.

>

> The enzyme in the blood called paraoxonase or PON 1is different between

individuals and therefore relative to differences in insecticide sensitivity.

The main role of PON1 appears to be protection from vascular disease and

cholesterol metabolism. An alternative function is the inactivation of toxic

forms of some nerve agents such as Saran and Soman (OP).

>

> There are two points resulting from the study:

> 1. People have different genes and are not equally susceptible as a result of

the production of paraoxonase.

> 2. Elements of the populations are genetically vulnerable.

>

> Applying this knowledge to OP depression of the CNS it:

> 1. Suggests an answer the " random " question of affliction.

> 2. Indicates an entrance for the initial OP depression of the CNS via a

" Decon " Gene.

> 3. Suggests the time from onset to diagnosis damage to the neuron system may

mask the cause/trigger.

>

> Toxic Environmental trigger(s):

> Responses to the question of Organophosphates and ALS opened the door to

additional " TOXIC " responses. These included environmental, agricultural, Gulf

War Illness, and cluster sites.

>

> Guam Fruit Bats a delicacy.

> ALS cases in the native population on the Island of Guam was once 200 times

higher than in most other populations. The Fruit bat was a delicacy for the

native population and the bats ate poisonous nuts from the cycad palm (Cycas

circinalis). When the consumption of these fruit bats decreased so did the

incidence of ALS in Guam.

>

> This suggests that regular ingestion of sterol glycosides may be involved in

neurodegenerative disorders and preventing these (and similar) toxins entering

the body can reduce the number of illnesses.

>

> Gulf War Illness:

> On December 11, 2001, the Department of defense announced the Government will

now pay disability and survivor benefits to Vets and families affected by this

illness. " For years government officials denied links between particular

illnesses and the Gulf War.

>

> The tireless efforts of Tom Donnelly, a Marine Helicopter pilot in Korea, on

behalf of his son Major Donnelly who has ALS, were able to get the

Government to acknowledge that the neurological illness is linked to his service

in the Gulf. (WebMD medical news-review-Dr. Vogin)

>

> Major Donnelly is a decorated a F16 pilot with forty-four combat missions over

Iraq in the Gulf War. Major Donnelly's book " Falcons Cry " is a record of his

Desert Storm memoirs. In his book, the Major chronicles his career as a " Top

Gun. " At the same time he looks at the insidious invasion of a delayed-action

neurological agent affecting himself and many of his fellow officers and crew

members.

>

> In one instance in " Falcons Cry " , infantry Major Randy Hebert was a member of

part of the force that breached the berms in Kuwait during the ground offensive.

He recalls a specific event when an Iraqi SCUD missile hit nearby and the

chemical weapons alarms went off.

>

> The windshield of his vehicle misted with an odd spray of something liquid,

and he felt a tingling on the skin of his arm. The all-clear signal was sounded

and the event was over. Like Major Donnelly, Major Hebert after the war

considered them selves relatively healthy although both suffered repeated bouts

with flu-like symptoms.

>

> Three years later, Major Hebert was living with his family at Camp LeJune, NC.

Fumigation of base housing with Dursban (OP) is standard procedure. Shortly

after the Dursban treatment Major Hebert got sick.

>

> Up dated Desert Storm numbers indicate 110,000 various illnesses. Most famous

is when General Norman Schwarzkopf came down with prostate cancer immediately

after the war. There is no apparent connection between the cancer and the

multiple chemical weapons alarm soundings. However, some of the Generals

bodyguards, who were out side of the Generals underground bunker (3 stories

deep), have been under evaluation for ALS. One was finally diagnosed with spinal

AVM, arterio venous malformation.

>

> The Government indicated that Persian Gulf War military personnel may have

been exposed to toxic levels of the poison gas Sarin ( an organophosphate) when

an Iraqi stockpile at Khamisiyah, Iraq was destroyed by U.S. Forces. Sarin was

the terrorist weapon of choice in the 1993 Tokyo subway attack.

>

> " Some veterans may be suffering symptoms related to Sarin exposure. " Further, "

We think that research into possible health effects of OP (Sarin type) compounds

is important and we welcome the responsible research, " said an official

statement released by the Department of Defense. (Sensitivity to

Organophosphates Due to Enzyme Paraoxonase (PON1). Laurie Garrett-Excerpts from

NEWSDAY article-1996.

>

> What can we apply? This is significant because the Government now may have an

interest in identifying the " Decon Gene " to prevent and reduce the number of

casualties. With 700,000 troops deployed to the Persian gulf war, 110,000

veterans may have contracted some illness. Or, roughly one in seven may have a

" Decon gene " producing a low level of PON1. The low level of PON1 could be

genetic, acute, or chronic OP exposure.

>

> Agricultural exposures:

> Agricultural workers with ALS responding reported working with OP, chlorinated

hydrocarbons, and other pesticides and fungicides with no protection.

>

> Each individual is unique and will have various responses to chemicals. For

example, if a population of farmers were exposed to the same amount of chemical,

some people might have reactions while others may have no reaction at all.

>

> Susceptibility varies and is influenced by age, gender, health status,

genetics, and life style. Small differences in the chemicals structure and

predisposition can cause a difference in toxicity. A chemical structure

determines:

>

> " How the chemical is metabolized

> " The rate at which it is absorbed

> " How and where it is captured and stored in the body

> " How it is excreted.

>

> Individual reaction to DEET:

> One response reported an acute (usually occurs over a short period of time to

a relatively high concentration of a substance-effects are both immediate and

long-term) exposure individual reaction to DEET.

>

> Upon application the individual complained of a sever skin reaction and was

later diagnosed with ALS in April of 2000. The New England Journal of Medicine,

July 4, 2002- 347:13-18, determined DEET based products provided complete

protection for the longest duration. The 23.8% formulation concentration

provided the best protection time up to 301.5 min.

>

> The USEPA warned, " As long as consumers follow the label directions and take

proper precautions, insect repellents containing DEET do not present a health

concern. " The EPA went further to change the label to larger print and warns

users to apply " cautiously and sparingly. " In stronger action, the EPA is no

longer allowing child safety claims on the product label. USEPA-4/28/98

> Lessons learned. Read the label.

>

> Cluster sites:

> Early in this article the responses indicated a need for a state and national

registry for ALS. With out it, the following information is only anecdotal.

Albeit compelling when one sees a pattern in an area.

>

> In Massachusetts, the Department of Public Health is seeking a $120,000.00

grant from the US Agency for Toxic Substances and Diseases Registry based in

Atlanta. The purpose is to study the higher than normal number of cases of ALS,

MS, and Hodgkin's disease in Rockland, Hingham, and in Weymouth MA.

>

> These towns surround the Weymouth Naval Air Station. (Boston Sunday Globe

-south section 9/1/'02) Also, Middleboro MA, population 19,702, has reported

that there are slightly more than two dozen cases of ALS deaths. There are

several state Superfund hazardous waste sites in Middleboro.

>

> Summary:

> There appear to be multiple factors that play a role in the onset of ALS,

including genetic, environmental, and chemical factors. The passage of time

masks the connection between OP contamination and diagnosis of ALS. Let's work

to reduce the possible causes for ALS and support forces working on

effectiveness and efficiency of treatment for patients today.

>

> Biography of the author

> Dennis M. Dowd, MEd, is a retired Fire Chief, Professor of Fire Science at

Middlesex Community College, Bedford Ma, Fire Science instructor at the

Massachusetts Fire Fighting Academy, Stow Ma., where he teaches Counter

Terrorism courses as well as other fire fighting and leadership skills in

Massachusetts. Professor Dowd is a Certified Hazardous Materials Technician,

Certified Arborist, Certified Horticulturist and Past President of the

Massachusetts Nurserymen's Association.

>

> To avoid using toxic organophosphate pesticides see the safe alternatives

>

> Toxic Cleaning Products

> Many PALS feel that minimising environmental toxins will assist in slowing

neurodegeneration. There is evidence that toxic compounds used in and around the

home and workplace stress the immune system and may even be the cause of many

illnesses.

>

> If one's body is not constantly forced to eliminate and protect against toxins

from household cleaning products and other sources it will be better able to

deal with illness and infection. A website that suggests non-toxic and

environmentally friendly alternatives to normal cleaning products

>

> Toxic Chemicals in Foods

> Avoid eating " diet " and " low calorie " foods that contain artificial sweeteners

There is ever increasing evidence that aspartame (also called Nutrasweet, etc. )

and other artificial sweeteners, even those claiming to be derived from " natural

sugars " (Sucralose, etc.) are toxic and harmful to many bodily organs and

functions.

>

> Even candies/sweets recommended for diabetics contain these substances. Many

of these sweeteners in diet sodas and " low calorie " diet foods are particularly

damaging to the brain and nervous system.

>

> There are a number of articles and a cogent body of research regarding

artificial sweeteners

>

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>

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