Introduction
The 1940s saw the introduction of powerful herbicides and insecticides called organochlorine chemicals. In comparison to earlier pesticides, they offered advantages such as low manufacturing costs, nonvolatile characteristics, long-lasting environmental effects, and lower toxicity. Concerns about the environment and public health have reduced their use in the United States in recent years, and Lindane's use in pharmaceuticals and agriculture was banned in California in 2002. These substances are nonetheless widely used around the world despite being less often used than organophosphorus compounds.
What Are Organochlorine Pesticides?
A variety of compounds are designed to eradicate or otherwise discourage "pest" species. Insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, and other pest control agents may all be referred to as pesticides. Inherently poisonous, pesticides frequently have negative health impacts on organisms that are not their intended targets. A broad category of multifunctional chlorinated hydrocarbon compounds includes organochlorine insecticides. Organochlorine insecticides accumulate in the fatty tissues of animals and degrade slowly in the environment.
As a result, they persist in the environment and food chain long after they have been used. A famous example of an organochlorine pesticide is DDT, which is currently prohibited in the United States due to its negative effects on both human and wildlife health. Many organochlorine pesticides are endocrine disruptors, which means they negatively affect the body's hormonal systems in a subtle way. Endocrine disruptive substances frequently imitate the body's own hormones, upsetting regular processes and causing negative health effects.
What Are the Different Exposure Routes of Organochlorine Pesticides?
People can be exposed to organochlorine pesticides in a variety of ways because of their many forms and applications. Pesticides may be dispersed by wind and rain, contaminating soil, groundwater, and/or surface waters near their original usage. Living or working close to a pesticide application site is another risk factor, as is using pesticides on the land or in the home, which may increase the likelihood of being exposed to these chemicals. Due to their toxicity, organochlorine pesticides are rarely found in personal care goods, but some items, such as lice shampoos, may expose users to them. Additionally, exposure might happen when people eat contaminated food. Organochlorine pesticides accumulate in the fatty tissues of animals after being transported over great distances by air and marine currents from their manufacturing and use locations.
Numerous studies have connected the eating of contaminated animal products, primarily meat, dairy, fish, and marine mammals, with exposure to organochlorine pesticides. In utero and through breast milk, fetuses and toddlers may be exposed to pesticides.
What Are the Symptoms of Organochlorine Pesticides Toxicity?
The various symptoms of organochlorine pesticides toxicity are:
-
Confusion.
-
Convulsion.
-
Headache.
-
Incoordination.
-
Nausea and vomiting.
-
Paresthesia (tingling or prickling sensation).
-
Stupor and coma.
-
Tremor.
What Is the Health Impact of Exposure to Organochlorine Pesticides?
Although exposure to environmental chemicals can and does have an impact on human health, the mere fact that environmental chemicals are present in the human body does not necessarily mean that they are having a negative impact on health. It is crucial to remember that any prospective health impact is significantly influenced by the dosage and time of exposure.
The following details the present level of knowledge regarding the health impacts of organochlorine pesticides, including studies on both humans and animals. The specific pesticide, the amount of exposure, the timing of exposure, and the individual all affect the health impacts of exposure to organochlorine pesticides. Health effects caused by various pesticides vary.
-
Cancer: Numerous studies have connected exposure to organochlorine pesticides with malignancies and other negative health outcomes. DDT exposure has been related to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and pancreatic cancer. Early-life DDT exposure is linked to a higher incidence of breast cancer in later life. Numerous additional organochlorine pesticides, including Toxaphene, Mirex, and Chlordane, are also known to cause cancer. According to research on Indian women from an agricultural region, blood levels of total organochlorine pesticides were significantly higher in breast cancer patients. The women's blood contained an average total pesticide content of 7,468 ppb (parts per billion).
-
Effects on Neurodevelopment: Exposure to organochlorine pesticides has been shown to interfere with normal development. One study found that exposure to DDT soon after birth led to a lifetime susceptibility to other pesticide exposures in mice and long-term behavioral modifications following secondary exposure through food. Chlordane, an organochlorine pesticide, has been associated with behavioral alterations in both sexes and a decrease in testosterone in adult female rats. DDT exposure during pregnancy caused behavioral changes in rats that persisted throughout adulthood. Human neurodevelopmental health impacts are linked to exposure to organochlorine pesticides. In children, exposure to organochlorine pesticides has been associated with a decline in memory, attention span, and linguistic skills, as well as psychomotor function. When compared to children who were not born in an agricultural region, children who were born in agricultural areas where pesticides were used performed worse on many neurobehavioral tests. There is some indication that exposure to organochlorine pesticides is linked to the emergence of autism, though this is based on a small body of data.
-
Effects on Reproduction: DDE is a metabolite of DDT, and maternal concentrations above 10 (parts per billion) are linked to premature birth and small newborns in humans. The likelihood of the mother giving birth prematurely and the likelihood that the infant would be tiny for its gestational age increased with the level of DDE in the mother's blood. Preterm births are linked to maternal exposure to beta-HCH, a byproduct of lindane production. The average blood level of betaHCH in the study's female participants was 9.83 (parts per billion).
-
Thyroid Disorder: It has been discovered that organochlorine substances, such as pesticides, change the levels of maternal thyroid hormones during pregnancy. Thyroid hormone levels in women with hexachlorobenzene values between 7.5 and 841.0 (parts per billion) were affected. Another investigation discovered a link between dieldrin exposure and lower T4 levels. Dieldrin concentrations in women with lower thyroid hormone levels were, on average, 5380 (parts per billion). DDT, endosulfan, and lindane are just a few of the many organochlorine substances that have been shown to have anti-thyroid effects. For fetuses, newborns, and young children to grow and develop normally, thyroid hormones are essential. It is well recognized that thyroid shortages during pregnancy and after delivery can affect development, slow growth, reduce intellectual capacity, induce psychomotor delays, and result in deafness. Furthermore, it has been suggested that substances that interfere with thyroid function may contribute to the emergence of autism.
-
Diseases of the Neuro System: People with general pesticide exposures, including organochlorine pesticide exposure, are more likely to develop neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.
How to Reduce the Exposure to Organochlorine Pesticides?
The following are some ways to reduce exposure to organochlorine pesticides:
-
Before eating, wash fruits and vegetables, including local berries and greens, to get rid of any pesticide residue.
-
Nearly all pest issues can be resolved without the use of harmful chemicals by using safe alternatives. Preventative measures and the usage of non-toxic substitutes are advised. For instance,
-
One can keep pests out of the house by caulking gaps around windows, doors, and baseboards.
-
Using mousetraps rather than poisonous bait.
-
Using proper food storage and cleaning techniques for spills.
-
Lice can be removed mechanically with a lice comb or with less invasive methods like hot air.
-
Similarly to this, scabies can be treated successfully with essential oils like neem or tea tree oil.
-
-
If at all feasible, reduce or stop using pesticides in and around the house or place of business.
-
If one uses pesticides at work, take precautions to lessen their presence on the clothes and other belongings when returning home.
-
Consider keeping contaminated tools and clothing outside or at work, taking off footwear and outerwear before entering the house, and taking a shower at the office or right after arriving home.
-
In order to lessen the amount of exposure, purchase organic fruits, vegetables, and other items wherever possible.
-
Take into account consuming less fat as some pesticides accumulate in animal fat.
-
If at all feasible, remove all visible fat from meat and fish.
-
When feasible, try to eat leaner meats.
-
Take into account consuming fewer dairy products, or, if available, pick low-fat or nonfat dairy options.
What Are the First Aid Measures and Treatment Options for Organochlorine Pesticide Poisoning?
1. First Aid Measure: Take the person out of the hazardous area. In the event of:
-
Skin Contact - Remove all contaminated clothing and wash thoroughly with soap and water.
-
Eye Contamination - Thoroughly rinse the eyes with cool, fresh water;
-
If the victim is fully conscious, induce vomiting by tickling the back of the throat.
-
Inhalation - Carry the individual to the open, fresh air.
-
Ingestion - If the victim is fully conscious, loosen the garments around the victim's neck and chest. Milk, alcohol, and fatty foods should not be given. Make sure the breathing path is kept clean and unobstructed if the person is unconscious. The victim should be lying down with their head turned to one side. Give mouth-to-mouth or mouth-to-nose breathing if one is having trouble breathing.
-
Medical Aid: Bring the patient, the original container, leaflet, and label to the doctor or primary health center right away.
2. Treatment Options:
-
Gastric lavage with two to four liters of tap water and catharsis using 10 ounces of sodium sulfate in a cup of water.
-
For agitation or convulsions, use Barbiturates or Diazepam at the appropriate quantities, repeated as necessary.
-
If necessary, closely monitor breathing and aspirate oxygen or use artificial respiration.
-
Avoid giving epinephrine (Adrenalin), oil laxatives, and other stimulants.
-
Give intravenously (ten percent calcium gluconate in 0.34 fl oz (fluid ounces) every four hours.
Conclusion
It is crucial to note that the usage of organochlorine pesticides has fallen dramatically in many nations as a result of awareness of the potential health and environmental concerns associated with them. They can still be found in some areas due to their environmental persistence, though, and previous exposures may still be having long-lasting impacts. In order to reduce the risks posed by organochlorine pesticide poisoning, monitoring, regulation, and the promotion of substitutes, safer pest control techniques are essential.
