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
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.
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
·
Material
Safety Data Sheets at Case Western Reserve -- 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 itıs November, 2000 meeting in Chicago.
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 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.
İ 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.
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