pesticide poisonings: perspective is reality

Pesticide Poisonings: Pesticide Poisonings: Perspective is RealityPerspective is Reality

Cecil TharpCecil TharpMSU Pesticide Education SpecialistMSU Pesticide Education Specialist

"It is not my contention that chemicals never be used. I do contend that we have put poisonous and biologically potent chemicals in the hands of

persons largely or wholly ignorant of their potential harm" (Rachel Carson, Silent Spring, 1964)

ctharp

The title of the presenation should be defined as this drives the point of the prentation. Many people may say 'perspective is reality' and I find it to be true in pesticide education. Depending on what part of Montana you are from, or what time period in the last century we land, attitudes towards pesticides change.The goal of this presentation is too display the perspectives and attitudes of applicators, the general public, and our government agencies towards pesticide poisonings and relate this to how those perspectives are often based off of fragile concepts that may change over time. What we view as dangerous or a toxin now may be viewed as dangerous years from now. We will be correlating these perspectives with the behavior patterns of Montana applicators relative to poisoning in our state.

Pesticide Poisoning is common in Pesticide Poisoning is common in Montana.Montana.

31% of private applicators surveyed have been at least mildly 31% of private applicators surveyed have been at least mildly poisoned by exposure to pesticides. Always minimize bad habits poisoned by exposure to pesticides. Always minimize bad habits

while wearing recommended PPE to minimize exposure.while wearing recommended PPE to minimize exposure.

ctharp

Many view pesticide poisoning as not occuring in Montana. This is simply not true according to surveys by the MSU Pesticide Education Program in 2009.. 5% of applicators missed work or went to the doctor due to moderate to severe pesticide poisonings while another 26% reported mild symptoms at some point in their career. Totalling 31% of all applicator surveyed. Why is this occuring?

Are Montana applicators protecting Are Montana applicators protecting themselves from Pesticides?themselves from Pesticides?

Do you wear PPE that is required on the product label while applying pesticides?

42%

47%

11%

Wear requiredPPE whileapplyingpesticides

Do not wearrequired PPEwhile applyingpesticides

While applyingpesticides, didnot know whatwas on theproduct label

ctharp

This slide speaks for itself. According to surveys 47% of Montana applicators don't protect themselves and thats when they know they should follow the PPE statements on the product label. Another 11% does not even know what the PPE requirements were for the product they were using. That is a total of 58% of all certified private applicators surveyed indicating they did not protect themselves or were unaware if they were protecting themselves from overexposure to the pesticides they were using.

Why are they not protecting themselves? Why are they not protecting themselves? ‘practical reasons’‘practical reasons’

Applicators Focus on Acute ToxicityApplicators Focus on Acute Toxicity

Toxicity which occurs within seconds, Toxicity which occurs within seconds, minutes or hours.minutes or hours.

Applicators focus on acute toxicity Applicators focus on acute toxicity and corresponding signal words..and corresponding signal words..

ctharp

Applicators often focu on acute toxicity, or toxicity which occurs within seconds, minutes, or hours. Many of the pesticide products used on weeds today have low acute toxicity. Acute toxicity is reflected by the pesticide products signal word.

Signal Words / LD50Signal Words / LD50

Caution (Category IV) Caution (Category IV) You can drink the stuff You can drink the stuff

Table 2. Signal words found on pesticide labels.

Does ‘Caution’ indicate PPE is not Does ‘Caution’ indicate PPE is not needed?needed?

Often disregarding PPE statements Often disregarding PPE statements on pesticides which show low acute on pesticides which show low acute toxicitytoxicity

ctharp

Many applicators focus on the pesticide 'signal word' but fail to realize that only indicates its acute toxicity or toxicity towards othe non-targets and the environment. This often results in disregarding PPE statements on pesticides which have this low acute toxicity 'CAUTION'.

Signal Word

Bad Habits also lead to Pesticide Bad Habits also lead to Pesticide PoisoningPoisoning

1/5 applicators surveyed smoked or chewed during 1/5 applicators surveyed smoked or chewed during application of pesticides in Montana. Chewing and smoking application of pesticides in Montana. Chewing and smoking while applying pesticides increases exposure to pesticides while applying pesticides increases exposure to pesticides

and may result in pesticide poisoning.and may result in pesticide poisoning.

Have you smoked or taken a pinch of chew during a pesticide application?

20%

80%

Yes

No

ctharp

Other bad habits including ingesting pesticide products in a field situation are likely candidates for the 30% rate of poisonings reported earlier. This relates to smoking or chewing without washing hands prior to insertion of chew or cigarette.

Bad Habits also lead to Pesticide Bad Habits also lead to Pesticide PoisoningPoisoning

Alarmingly, 25% of applicators surveyed ingested food Alarmingly, 25% of applicators surveyed ingested food while applying pesticides without washing hands prior! This while applying pesticides without washing hands prior! This

increases exposure dramatically and may be extremely increases exposure dramatically and may be extremely dangerous. This may lead to acute or chronic pesticide dangerous. This may lead to acute or chronic pesticide

poisoning.poisoning.

Have you eaten during the mixing or application of

pesticides?

25%

75%

Yes

No

ctharp

1/4 of all applicators ingest food when applying pesticides without washing hands prior. Again, direct ingestion of pesticides likely contributes to pesticide poisoning in Montana. This poisoning may be mostly mild, but ingestion of pesticides even pesticides with low acute toxicity likely can contribute to some short term health concerns....Depending on the pesticide, individuals immune system, and dose, may result in a delayed immune system reaction in the future. Chemical sensitivity.

More bad habits….More bad habits…. 70% of all applicators surveyed removed gloves at some 70% of all applicators surveyed removed gloves at some

point in their career while repairing spray equipment.point in their career while repairing spray equipment. 9% never wore gloves to begin with.9% never wore gloves to begin with.

Did you remove gloves while repairing equipment?

70%

19%

9% 2%

Removed gloves while repairing equipment.

Wore gloves while repairing equipment.

Never wore gloves to begin with.

Gloves were not recommended on the product label.

ctharp

70% of all applicators removed gloves. Again, likely leading to the 30% poisoning in Montana applicators. Applicators should wear and extra layer of surgical nitrile gloves underneath there cumbersome EPA shell gloves. They will have an extra layer of protection in emergencies or if there glove tears.

Montana Poisonings: Why?Montana Poisonings: Why? Bad HabitsBad Habits

– Eating while applying pesticides (25%)Eating while applying pesticides (25%)– Chewing and smoking while applying Chewing and smoking while applying

pesticides (20%)pesticides (20%) ShortcutsShortcuts

– Not wearing proper PPE (58%)Not wearing proper PPE (58%)– Taking gloves off (79% of applicators)Taking gloves off (79% of applicators)

Recurring focus on only Acute ToxicityRecurring focus on only Acute Toxicity

MSU PEP is trying to remind applicators to focus on just letting history be our guide!

Pesticide Poisonings: When did Pesticide Poisonings: When did this begin?this begin?

A A pesticide poisoningpesticide poisoning occurs when occurs when chemicals intended to control a chemicals intended to control a pestpest affect non-target organisms such as affect non-target organisms such as

humans, wildlife, or humans, wildlife, or beesbees. .

Arsenic has been around for 1,000’s of Arsenic has been around for 1,000’s of years. Evidence supports it’s discovery years. Evidence supports it’s discovery

as far back as ancient Egypt. as far back as ancient Egypt.

Tubocurarine has been found in Tubocurarine has been found in primitive weapons of primitive man primitive weapons of primitive man

(>5,000 years old). (>5,000 years old).

ctharp

Pesticide poisoning is not new. Primitive man used poisons over 5000 years ago when hunting. Arsenic has been used for centuries for rodent poisonings as well as human poisonings.

Perspective #1: 1939 – 1965Perspective #1: 1939 – 1965(What does not kill you makes you stronger!)(What does not kill you makes you stronger!)

Silverbullet PesticideSilverbullet Pesticide– 1939 Swiss Chemist Synthesized DDT1939 Swiss Chemist Synthesized DDT

Paul Humen MullerPaul Humen Muller

ctharp

I would like to take the applicators through separate perspectives that occured throughout the last century. I would also like to focus on how we thought we knew what safe was, and it was redefined every few decades. The first perspective is called 'the what does not kill you makes you stronger!'.. This is referring to the rampant use of DDT from 1939 to 1965.Photo on the left to control typhus.Photo on the right was used to control manage malaria by killing the Anopheles mosquito. This product saved millions of lives and people did not die from this pesticide. Did it have a downfall?

DDT had non-target effectsDDT had non-target effects

ctharp

DDT was later classified in the 1960's as a persistent organic pollutant as it accumulates in fat tissues of animals and biomagnifies through the food web. By biomagnifying DDT could concentrations could rise 10 million times of that which was sprayed in the environment. Although DDT was safe at levels sprayed in the environment, once biomagnnified it was proven to cause reproductive effects in birds of prey.

Good Side of DDT?Good Side of DDT?

-All but halted a 25% mortality rate in soldiers fighting in war from TYPHUS with a de-lousing program.

-Saved millions of livesfrom malaria.

ctharp

Always comment on the good side of DDT. DDT still saves millions of lives in 3rd world countries which can't afford newer chemistries. World Health Orgnanization approves the use of DDT in 3rd world countries if used judiciously and combined with IPM.Overall our perspective towards DDT has changed. It was delisted by the EPA in 1972, while being dumped on school children in 1945.

Perspective #2: 1965 – 1984Perspective #2: 1965 – 1984

(Beware of who you trust, always be on the safe side!)(Beware of who you trust, always be on the safe side!) Agent White CompoundAgent White Compound

Agent OrangeAgent Orange

4:1 mixture of 2,4-D and picloram

1:1 mixture of 2,4-D and 2,4,5-TProduces dioxins – carcinogen

The National Toxicology Program has classified TCDD to bea human carcinogen, frequently associated with soft-tissue sarcoma, Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

1896 – 1985!

Chronic ToxicityChronic Toxicity

Long Term ExposureLong Term Exposure– Many repeated low dose exposuresMany repeated low dose exposures

DefinitionDefinition EPA mandates testing for chronic toxicity of:EPA mandates testing for chronic toxicity of:

– Active ingredients onlyActive ingredients only Usually on ratsUsually on rats This is very expensiveThis is very expensive Chronic toxicity statements are placed on the Chronic toxicity statements are placed on the

product label (carcinogen, mutagen, reproductive product label (carcinogen, mutagen, reproductive damage, etc..)damage, etc..)

1970’s - 1990’s: Perspective 3 1970’s - 1990’s: Perspective 3 Organophosphate and carbamate EraOrganophosphate and carbamate Era

Hit a climax in December 1984Hit a climax in December 1984

ctharp

The next era I would like to refer to is the organophosphate / carbamate era. This is the era that took our thinking back to pesticides that can kill you and kill you fast. This era actually took our focus off of long term toxicity but it shouldn't have.This is going to take us from the 1970's - the 1990's but it hit its climax in 1984 in Bhopal, India

Bhopal, India DisasterBhopal, India Disaster

Methyl isocyanate was an Methyl isocyanate was an intermediate chemical when intermediate chemical when producing the product Sevinproducing the product Sevin

Pesticide cloud whichPesticide cloud which

covered 25 square miles.covered 25 square miles.

ctharp

Explosion of methyl isocyanate from an organophosphate /carbamate manufacturing plant in Bhopal, India. Water leaked into a container and caused an explosion which covered 25 square miles.

ToxicityToxicity Union Carbide Union Carbide Pesticide Manufacturing Pesticide Manufacturing PlantPlant December 3December 3rdrd, 1984, 1984 8,000 initial dead8,000 initial dead 15,000 more within 10 years15,000 more within 10 years 500,000 suffer injuries500,000 suffer injuries water wells near the site show overall chemical water wells near the site show overall chemical

contamination to be 500 times higher than the contamination to be 500 times higher than the maximum limits recommended by the World maximum limits recommended by the World Health Organization. Health Organization.

cancer, genetic defects (birth defects), and liver cancer, genetic defects (birth defects), and liver and kidney damage. and kidney damage.

ctharp

This was a good example of acute toxicity: 8,000 dead within daysChronic toxicity: 15,000 dead within 10 years500,000 suffered injuries long termThis was due to not cleaning up the pesticide spill and the resulting poisoniing from doses of the product in theire water supply over time.

27% of Montana applicators 27% of Montana applicators indicated they did not clean up all indicated they did not clean up all pesticide spills during their spray pesticide spills during their spray

career. career.

Perspective #4: Delisting of many Perspective #4: Delisting of many pesticide products from the 1990’s pesticide products from the 1990’s

to present day.to present day. Many of our current pesticide Many of our current pesticide

products have low acute toxicity.products have low acute toxicity. Have we learned from our mistakes.Have we learned from our mistakes.

ctharp

Perspective 4 represents the average consumer who is intenet savy, educated, and observes the many EPA delistings of the old organochlorine, organophosphate, and carbamate pesticides to keep us safe. This leads to complacency, we are safe, and we are using only safe products that are of no health concern in todays world.

Some of our “Safest” chemicalsSome of our “Safest” chemicals

Chronic Affects EvidentChronic Affects Evident– Immune system problemsImmune system problems– Sores, RashesSores, Rashes

It happens.It happens.

ctharp

The ag. health study was one of the first studies of its kind which surveyed over 90,000 private applicators in 3 states. This study surveyed applicators and their wives as to their pesticide use and future health concerns which may have developed as a result.

Prostate Cancer Prostate Cancer Associated WithAssociated With

Methyl bromide fumigantMethyl bromide fumigant Chlorinated pesticides (men over 50)Chlorinated pesticides (men over 50)

– Aldrin, chlordane, DDT, dieldrin, endrin, hexachlor, Aldrin, chlordane, DDT, dieldrin, endrin, hexachlor, toxophenetoxophene

Five pesticides with men with a family history of Five pesticides with men with a family history of prostate cancerprostate cancer– Insecticides: chlorpyrifos (Lorsban), coumaphos Insecticides: chlorpyrifos (Lorsban), coumaphos

(Co-Ral), fonofos (Dyfonate), permethrin (with (Co-Ral), fonofos (Dyfonate), permethrin (with

animal uses)animal uses)

Respiratory HealthRespiratory Health Wheeze (airways in lungs are Wheeze (airways in lungs are

narrowed) associated with…narrowed) associated with…– Pesticides Pesticides (Paraquat, parathion, malathion, (Paraquat, parathion, malathion,

chlorpyrifos, atrazine, alachlor, EPTC)chlorpyrifos, atrazine, alachlor, EPTC)

Parkinsons Disease and Pesticide Parkinsons Disease and Pesticide UseUse

Applicators have up to twice the risk Applicators have up to twice the risk of Parkinsons Diseaseof Parkinsons Disease– Used pesticides more than 400 days in Used pesticides more than 400 days in

their lifetime.their lifetime.– Strongly associated withStrongly associated with

paraquat use.paraquat use.

Personal Protective Equip.Personal Protective Equip.(PPE)(PPE)

Good News:Good News:– Research shows PPE may reduce pesticide exposure by Research shows PPE may reduce pesticide exposure by

90%90%

Bad News:Bad News:– Fabric or leather gloves usageFabric or leather gloves usage

Are applicators protecting others Are applicators protecting others from pesticides?from pesticides?

Do you wear PPE that is required on the product label while applying pesticides?

42%

47%

11%

Wear requiredPPE whileapplyingpesticides

Do not wearrequired PPEwhile applyingpesticides

While applyingpesticides, didnot know whatwas on theproduct label

ctharp

Many applicators (47%) don't wear proper PPE according to surveys in 2009. Another 11% never bothered to read the product label PPE requirements for there product. Represents 58% of applicators who are or may be overexposed to pesticides.Many applicators believe this is because we don't use toxic pesticides in the modern era. they are safe.WRONG!

Reading the product label can help Reading the product label can help you!you!

*It can minimize risk towards yourself or your family.

Pesticide Poisoning SummaryPesticide Poisoning Summary

Acute Poisonings are still a problemAcute Poisonings are still a problem– Utah: 2 girls died in 2010Utah: 2 girls died in 2010– Texas: 1 girl dies in 2007Texas: 1 girl dies in 2007– South Dakota: 1 girl died in 2000South Dakota: 1 girl died in 2000

Chronic Poisonings are commonChronic Poisonings are common– High dose event early in ones lifeHigh dose event early in ones life– Low dose exposures over time: no PPELow dose exposures over time: no PPE– Improper storage of pesticidesImproper storage of pesticides– Immune system susceptibility a problemImmune system susceptibility a problem– Genetic factors evidentGenetic factors evident

Pesticide UsePesticide Use

Is OkIs Ok Read and Follow the Pesticide Read and Follow the Pesticide

Product LabelProduct Label– Wear PPEWear PPE– Don’t drink it!Don’t drink it!

Contact InformationContact Information

Contact your Local Extension OfficeContact your Local Extension Office

or theor the

MSU Pesticide Safety Education ProgramMSU Pesticide Safety Education Program

Cecil Tharp, Pesticide Education SpecialistCecil Tharp, Pesticide Education Specialist

406-994-5067406-994-5067

[email protected]@montana.edu

Web Address: Web Address: www.pesticides.montana.eduwww.pesticides.montana.edu

pesticide poisonings: perspective is reality

Documents

attitudes of applicators

montana applicators

view pesticide

severe pesticide poisonings

certified private applicators

recommended ppe

ppe statements

ppe requirements