Chemically Induced Diseases: Synergistic Effects and Cumulative Injuries caused

[Guest guest]

Chemically Induced Diseases: Synergistic Effects and Cumulative Injuries

caused by Toxic Chemicals -- Understanding the Gulf War Syndrome and Multiple

Chemical Sensitivity [MCS]

By Richard Alexander

_http://www.satori-5.co.uk/downloads/dlf_015.doc_

(http://www.satori-5.co.uk/downloads/dlf_015.doc)

 

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A major breakthrough in understanding the toxicological impact of multiple

chemical exposures has been discovered by researchers at Texas Southwestern

Medical School and the Duke University Medical Center.

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

warnings required for all chemicals sold in the United States.

While U.S. law requires manufacturers report the acute symptoms and

immediate first aid treatment for an overdose exposure to chemicals used in

industry,

as well as household products, the symptoms caused by chronic or low level,

long-term exposures are rarely mentioned in MSDS and the reports of

interactions caused by other chemicals are non-existent.

For example, in the course of discovery in a lawsuit arising from an unusual

cluster of four leukemia deaths in a group of 200 Simpson Lumber Mill

employees in Arcata, California, pentacholorphenol manufactured by Champion

International and sold under the name of Woodlife, was used as a wood

preservative

and eventually proven to have high levels of dioxin. See _Dioxin In

Pentachlorophenol: A Case Study Of Cancer Deaths In The Lumber Industry_

(http://www.consumerlawpage.com/article/lumber.shtml) .

Despite the fact that the manufacturer's technical staff was well aware of

the chronic effects of exposure to this compound, Champion International never

advised purchasers of Woodlife, or their employees, to be alert for an

evidence of acne that was commonly associated associated with individuals

working

in the application of Woodlife, or reports of rashes, nausea, vomiting,

diarrhea, fatigue, dizziness, excessive perspiration, conjunctivitis or

crusting

of the eyes, depression or memory loss, insomnia or irritability, tingling or

numbness in the extremities, blood in the urine or stool, burning sensation

in the trachea or bronchi, nose bleeds, asthma-like symptoms, altered liver

function, kidney or bladder infection or complaints, immune complaints, ongoing

infections, children born with abnormalities, low sperm count, soft tissue

sarcomas, unexplained fevers or night sweats, herpes sores or any skin

disturbances below the eyes, at the temples or at the back of the neck or ears.

These symptoms are common signs of low level exposure to pentachlorophenol

contaminated with dioxins and should not be confused with common conditions

that have similar symptoms, such as colds or flu.

In fact these symptoms were commonly reported by Simpson Lumber Company

employees, but no one ever made the connection between these symptoms and

pentachlorophenol contaminated with dioxin until after plaintiffs' lawyers

uncovered

the fact Simpson had concealed the widespread use of pentachlorophenol from

state department of health authorities.

Rarely can an MSDS be found that discusses harm from chronic exposures and

equally rare is any mention of the synergistic effect of chemicals. Open any

of these Material Safety Data Sheet sites to confirm that fact:

· Material Safety Data Sheets at Oxford University, UK --

_http://physchem.ox.ac.uk:80/MSDS_ (http://physchem.ox.ac.uk/MSDS)

· Material Safety Data Sheets at Case Western Reserve --

_http://research.nwfsc.noaa.gov/msds.html_

(http://research.nwfsc.noaa.gov/msds.html)

Synergism is the simultaneous action of separate agencies which, together,

have greater total effect than the sum of their individual effects. The

phenomenon is readily seen in the impact of drugs, but never mentioned on

Material

Safety Data Sheets required for the sale of toxic chemicals in the United

States by the Environmental Protection Agency.

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 Robert 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.

Addendum July 22, 1996

 

The research of Steven 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

(June 7, 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 policy implications of the synergistic effect of chemicals will cause a

top to bottom re-vamping of chemical regulations. For years, EPA has not

tested pesticide products as sold in containers in combination with other

chemicals.

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.

In the meantime, we must reduced the wide variety of chemicals used today

and eliminate the use of pesticides until proven safe.

Addendum November 27, 2000

A medical research team headed by Dr. Robert Haley of the University of

Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas has discovered and reported brain

damage in veterans of the Gulf War.

Doctors believe this brain damage to have been caused by exposure to

combinations of low level nerve gas, anti-nerve gas tablets and DEET contained

in

insect pesticides and repellents. Magnetic Resonance Imaging has identified

specific abnormalities in the basal ganglia that impact cognitive skills,

including memory, sense of direction, inability to understand instructions and

decision-making, often resulting in depression.

The findings were presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological

Society of North America at it¹s November, 2000 meeting in Chicago.

 

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Richard Alexander is recognized by The State Bar of California as a

certified specialist in civil trial law and was first certified as a civil

trial

lawyer by the National Board of Trial Advocacy in 1980. Emphasizing working

relationships with clients has led to an exceptional _record_

(http://www.alexanderlaw.com/cases.html) of success. He has served as a member

of the Board of

Governors of The State Bar of California, President of the Santa Clara County

Bar Association and the Board of Governors of Consumer Attorneys of

California. He is a founding member of the National Association of Consumer

Advocates,

and heads Alexander, Hawes & Audet, LLP. © Richard Alexander, 2000.

Alexander, Hawes & Audet, LLP a California law firm specializes in personal

injury,

wrongful death, and financial losses caused by negligence, defective products,

toxic chemicals, corporate misconduct or insurance fraud on behalf of

consumers, small investors, injured workers and small businesses. In addition

to

individual cases the firm prosecutes class actions for large groups of

individuals who have suffered financial loss as a result of corporate fraud,

defective consumer products, and environmental pollution. The firm holds

Martindale-Hubbell's highest rating and is recognized in the List of Preeminent

Law Firms

in the U. S.