NIOSHTIC-2 Publications Search

Chronic neurologic effects of pesticide overexposure.

Keifer MC; Mahurin RK

Occup Med: State of the Art Rev 1997 Apr; 12(2):291-304

00238157

The chronic effects of pesticide overexposure on the nervous system were reviewed and discussed. The peripheral nervous system (PNS) effects of organophosphate pesticides, which operated via cholinesterase inhibition, included paresthesias, weakness, foot and wrist drop, and paralysis. The peripheral neuropathy associated with organophosphate exposure was termed organophosphate induced delayed polyneuropathy (OPIDP). OPIDP generally developed 2 to 5 weeks after clinically severe intoxication with an organophosphate pesticide. Interference with the neuropathy target esterase enzyme appeared to be the biochemical mechanism of the organophosphate pesticides that caused OPIDP. The acute central nervous system (CNS) effects of organophosphate pesticides included concentration, vigilance, memory, information processing, psychomotor speed, and language impairment, anxiety, irritability, and depression. The chronic effects of organophosphate pesticide exposure were generalized cognitive impairment and personality changes. Case studies were cited which indicated that exposure to carbamates possibly induced adverse PNS and CNS effects. Organochlorine pesticides reportedly induced tremors, muscle weakness, ataxia, slurred speech, and incoordination, as well as cognitive and personality changes. Peripheral neuropathic alterations and behavior and cognitive changes were associated with exposure to heavy metal pesticides. Peripheral neuropathy and personality changes in humans were also associated with exposure to fumigants. Autonomic and peripheral nerve functioning was impaired following exposure to dithiocarbamate fungicides. The rodenticide vacor (53558251) reportedly induced acute diabetic ketoacidosis and peripheral neuropathy.

NIOSH-Publication; NIOSH-Cooperative-Agreement; Acute-exposure; Chronic-toxicity; Neurotoxic-effects; Central-nervous-system; Organo-phosphorus-pesticides; Peripheral-nervous-system; Neuropathology; Mental-illness; Neuromuscular-system-disorders

SAOME4

53558-25-1

19970401

Journal Article

Keifer MC

868583

Cooperative Agreement

1997

9781560532439

Cooperative-Agreement-Number-U07-CCU-012926

2

0885-114X

Neurotoxic Disorders; Neurotoxic-effects

Occupational Medicine: State of the Art Reviews. Human Health Effects of Pesticides

WA

University of Washington, Seattle, Washington