mixtures for hypospadias: Using insect repellents in early pregnancy could put unborn boys at risk

[Guest guest]

" ...individual biocides were not linked with an increased risk of

hypospadias, but high use of several biocides was associated with a 73%

increased risk. Insect repellent use in the first three months was

linked with an 81% increased risk of hypospadias. "

- - - -

Insect Repellent Use Associated with Hypospadias

<http://www.medpagetoday.com/PublicHealthPolicy/EnvironmentalHealth/17218>

MedPage Today

- - - -

Possible defect link to fly sprays

(UKPA) -- 15 hours ago

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5iQGeDUYO34vUfdYaEkeCdGnqp\

Dxw

Using insect repellents in early pregnancy could put unborn boys at risk

of a birth defect, research suggests.

If used in the first three months, chemicals in the repellents could

increase the risk of hypospadias by 81%, it found.

Hypospadias is when the tube (urethra) that carries urine and semen from

the bladder to the opening at the tip of the penis is too short, leaving

the opening on the underside of the penis instead of at the end. The

condition is thought to affect around one to two baby boys in every 500.

The research, published online in the journal Occupational and

Environmental Medicine, included 471 babies with hypospadias and 490

acting as a comparison group. Their mothers, all living in the South

East of England, were asked a series of questions, including whether

they had been exposed to insect repellents and biocide chemicals, such

as pesticides or weedkillers.

They were asked about their own use of fly sprays, repellents, animal

poisons, pet flea treatments and nit shampoos and asked geographical

questions, for example if they lived less than a mile from an

agricultural field.

Their exposure levels were then calculated using a score from 0 to 8.

The experts found that individual biocides were not linked with an

increased risk of hypospadias, but high use of several biocides was

associated with a 73% increased risk. Insect repellent use in the first

three months was linked with an 81% increased risk of hypospadias.

The experts, from the Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology

in Barcelona and Imperial College London, concluded: " (We) found an

association between the use of insect repellent and total biocide score

and risk of hypospadias. "

Insect repellents can contain N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, popularly known

as DEET. High doses of DEET have been found to be toxic and can cross

the placental barrier, but its consequences are not well understood, the

authors said.

Professor Alan Boobis, director of the department of health toxicology

unit at Imperial College London, said: " This study provides some

evidence of an association between exposure to insect repellents and the

risk of hypospadias. As the authors themselves point out, there are a

number of caveats that need to be borne in mind. "

Professor Dayan, former director of the department of toxicology

at St Bart's hospital medical college in London, said: " As the authors

themselves note, their finding is only tentative and preliminary, and,

as is common in such surveys at a distance, the participation rate of

patients was low and some of the essential controls were missing. "

Copyright © 2009 The Press Association. All rights reserved.

..