Pesticides: Gulf War Illnesses Series A Review of the Scientific Literature as it Pertains to Gulf War Illnesses

by Cecchine, Gary; Golomb, Beatrice A.; Hilborne, Lee H.; Spektor, Dalia M.; Anthony, Ross C.

• ISBN13: 9780833026828
• ISBN10: 0833026828
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-02-12
• Publisher: RAND CORPORATION

Summary

This report summarizes the scientific literature on 12 of the 35 pesticides that are likely to have been used during the Persian Gulf War. Where possible, it focuses on known pesticide exposures or doses and related health outcomes that may be relevant to symptoms reported by some Gulf War veterans. Evidence from studies of genetic and biological differences between ill and healthy subjects is suggestive, but not conclusive, that these pesticides could be among the potential contributing agents to some of the undiagnosed illnesses seen in Gulf War veterans. However, no prospective studies have been conducted that positively identify pesticides as causative agents. More research is needed to confirm or refute a causal link between pesticides and other agents and the symptoms associated with Gulf War illnesses.

Table of Contents

Preface	v
Figures	xi
Tables	xiii
Summary	xvii
Acknowledgments	xxix
Acronyms and Abbreviations	xxxi
Introduction	1	(4)
Background	2	(1)
Methods	2	(1)
Organization of the Report	3	(2)
Pesticides	5	(10)
Background	5	(2)
What Are Pesticides?	5	(1)
Pesticide Regulation	6	(1)
Pesticide Identity and Properties	7	(4)
Pesticide Use in ODS/DS	11	(4)
Health Problems in PGWV	15	(10)
PGWV Report Health Problems	15	(1)
Symptoms in PGWV	15	(1)
Comment on Headache	16	(1)
Increased Symptom Reporting in PGWV	17	(4)
Factors Associated with Registry Participation	21	(1)
Information from Epidemiological Investigations of Self-Reported Pesticide Exposure and Illness	22	(3)
Lindane	25	(14)
General Information	25	(2)
Availability and Recommended Use of Lindane During ODS/DS	27	(1)
Potential Health Effects of Lindane	27	(10)
Lindane Metabolism/Pharmacokinetics	27	(1)
Acute Effects	28	(5)
Chronic, Reproductive, Genetic, and Carcinogenic Effects	33	(4)
Synthesis	37	(2)
DEET	39	(14)
General Information	39	(1)
Availability and Recommended Use of DEET During ODS/DS	40	(1)
Potential Health Effects of DEET	41	(9)
DEET Metabolism/Pharmacokinetics	41	(1)
Exposure to DEET as Reviewed in the Scientific Literature	42	(1)
Skin Permeation and Absorption of DEET	43	(1)
Acute Effects	44	(6)
Chronic, Reproductive, Genetic, and Carcinogenic Effects	50	(1)
Synthesis	50	(3)
Pyrethroids	53	(18)
Permethrin	53	(2)
General Information	53	(1)
Availability and Recommended Use of Permethrin During ODS/DS	53	(2)
Permethrin Residues	55	(1)
Phenothrin	55	(2)
General Information	55	(1)
Availability and Recommended Use of d-Phenothrin During ODS/DS	56	(1)
Environmental Characteristics of d-Phenothrin	56	(1)
d-Phenothrin Residues	57	(1)
Potential Health Effects of Pyrethroids	57	(12)
Permethrin	58	(4)
d-Phenothrin	62	(7)
Synthesis	69	(2)
Organophosphates and Carbamates	71	(40)
Organophosphates	71	(10)
Azamethiphos	71	(1)
Chlorpyrifos	72	(3)
Diazinon	75	(1)
Dichlorvos	76	(3)
Malathion	79	(2)
Carbamates	81	(6)
Bendiocarb	81	(2)
Methomyl	83	(1)
Propoxur	84	(3)
Potential Health Effects of Organophosphates	87	(20)
Acute Effects	89	(5)
Chronic Effects	94	(6)
Genetic Effects	100	(4)
Reproductive Effects	104	(1)
Carcinogenic Effects	105	(2)
Potential Health Effects of Carbamates	107	(3)
Genetic Effects	108	(1)
Reproductive Effects	109	(1)
Carcinogenic Effects	109	(1)
Synthesis	110	(1)
Confounding Factors: Individual Differences and Interactions	111	(14)
Individual Differences in Susceptibility to Pesticides	111	(4)
Exposure and Absorption Differences	111	(1)
Clearance Differences	112	(2)
Differences in Metabolizing Enzymes Among PGWV	114	(1)
Nutritional and Other Cofactors	115	(1)
Interactions	115	(10)
General Issues	115	(1)
Interactions Among DEET, PB, and Pesticides	116	(2)
Interactions Among Pyrethroids, Organophosphates, and Carbamates	118	(1)
Pesticide Formulations	119	(1)
Pesticide Interactions with Drugs and Other Exposures	119	(6)
Concluding Remarks	125	(8)
General Comments	125	(1)
The Possible Contribution of Pesticides to Health Problems Reported by PGWV	126	(4)
Epidemiology	126	(1)
Individual Differences	127	(1)
Interactions	128	(1)
Biological Plausibility and Clinical Evidence	128	(2)
Concluding Observations	130	(3)
Appendix: Comparison by Symptom Category of Subjects with AChE-Inhibitor Exposure (Organophosphate or Carbamate) and Ill PGWV	133	(10)
Bibliography	143