Appropriate Medical Care for the Chemically Injured

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http://ncchem.com/research.htm

Researchers at Texas Southwestern Medical School and Duke University Medical

Center

may have made a major breakthrough in understanding the toxicological impact

of multiple chemical exposures.

The discoveries may have a profound impact on the manufacturing, testing and

warnings required for all chemicals sold in the United States.

A recent breakthrough in the understanding of Gulf War Syndrome may be

changing scientific thinking and promoting further research on chemical

synergy.

Researchers at the Duke University Medical Center and the Texas Southwestern

Medical School reported in April, 1996 that the simultaneous exposure to

topical insecticides [DEET and permethrin] and pyrido-stigmine bromide, a

drug taken prophylactically to counteract toxic gas warfare agents, causes

nervous system damage in chickens. The full written report is scheduled for

publication in the May,1996 issue of the Journal of Toxicology and

Environmental Health.

Both the team led by Haley at Texas Southwestern and Modhamed

Abou-Donia's group of researchers at Duke found that the many symptoms

experienced by Gulf War veterans, including headaches, fatigue, aches,

decreased attention and rashes, were similar to the symptoms that presented

in exposed chickens.

Chickens given any two chemicals became lethargic, unable to fly, lost

weight and coordination and demonstrated tremors. For those administered all

three chemicals, paralysis and death occurred.

This observed impact on nerve functioning is significant because survivors

of the Gulf War who were exposed to these toxic agents also have

demonstrated abnormal nerve function.

Further studies of Gulf War veterans who were exposed are being conducted at

Texas Southwestern and are focusing on comparisons between physical findings

in humans and those found in exposed chickens.

The results of that work is awaited by veterans, who until now, have been

unable to show any relationship between their multiple symptoms and their

exposures during the Gulf War.

More significantly, if these discoveries prove correct all manufacturers of

commercial and household chemicals will be obligated to begin testing and

instituting warnings of the synergistic effects of their products with other

commonly used chemicals.

It is this new testing that holds promise for a better understanding of the

impact of chemicals on health that has long been advocated by environmental

activists, occupational health specialists, recipients of breast implants,

those exposed to chlorinated hydrocarbons and sufferers of multiple chemical

sensitivity.

The research of F. Arnold and others at Tulane University published

in June, 1996 shocked the scientific community. It proves that

hormone-disrupting chemicals, known to cause mild effects, when used in

combination produce significantly dramatic hormonal effects " Synergistic

Activation of Estrogen Receptor with Combinations of Environmental

Chemicals, " 272 Science 1489-1492 (June7, 1996).

Combinations of two or three pesticides, which are commonly found in the

environment at low levels, are up to 1600 times more powerful than any of

the pesticides individually in their impact on hormones.

Some chemicals, which individually do not disrupt hormones, tremendously

magnifies the ability of other chemicals to disrupt hormones. That was the

finding with chlordane.

The study focused on endosulfan, chlordane, toxaphene and dieldrin, all of

which impact a gene making estrogen in animals. Estrogen controls the

formation and development of female organs and is strongly associated with

both breast cancer and causing male sex organs to be deformed.

This is the beginning of a revolution in scientific knowledge that will

profoundly effect the way pesticides are screened and tested.

This research should prompt EPA to immediately require appropriate warnings.

Regulations have long been based on studies of individual chemicals and

their individual effects. Now EPA must take steps to regulate combinations

of chemicals in order to assure appropriate levels of public safety.

The example of chlordane is particularly disturbing because it means that

EPA, manufacturers and the scientific community must now assess and evaluate

of chemicals long believed to have minor hormonal impacts. Accomplishing

such testing will take years and all the while significant damage to people

will continue unabated.

The prevailing view that chemicals are safe until proven otherwise is no

longer valid and all manufacturers must be required to prove the safety of

their products when used in conjunction with other chemicals.