A new study just published on Feb 2011 in the journal of cancer makes a strong argument for applying hyperbaric oxygenation therapy (HBOT) for those patients who have had either surgery or radiation therapy for brain tumors. The study followed patients who had been treated with HBOT and there was a marked improvement in cognitive [...]
» Click Here to Read the full ArticleChildhood cancers have also been looked at for epidemiological association with chemical exposure. In one study, 45 childhood brain cancer patients were compared to 85 friend controls. A significant positive association was found between brain cancer and exposure to: no-pest strips, termite treatment, Kwell Shampoo (Lindane), flea collars on pets, diazinon use in the garden or orchard, and the use of herbicides in yard (odds ration [OR] 6.2). When they were compared to 108 cancer controls, a significant positive association was found with: pesticide bombs in the home, termite treatment, flea collars on pets, insecticide use in the garden, carbaryl in garden, and herbicide use in the garden.[i]
Several other studies have been done with childhood exposures which have found that 2,4-D use around the home (common weed killer) was associated with Soft Tissue Sarcomas (OR 4.0)[ii],havinig No Pest Strips in the home was associated with leukemia (OR 3.0), insecticide use in the home was associated with brain tumors for ages <20 (OR 2.3), household pesticide use was associated with leukemia (OR 4.0), garden pesticide use with leukemia (OR 5.6), and household insecticide use with non lymphocytic leukemia (OR 3.5).
For adults the use of chlorophenoxy acid herbicides (2,4-D)[1] has been strongly associated with increased incidence of lung cancer, stomach cancer, leukemia, Hodgkin’s lymphoma (2 studies found 5X risk), Non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas [NHL] (5-6X risk),and soft tissue sarcomas (many studies have shown 5-7X risk, one review study said 40X risk).[iii] One study showed Kansas farmers having a 6X risk of lymphomas and Soft Tissue Sarcomas in persons using it 20+ days per year compared to non-exposed individuals. Those who mixed and applied herbicides and were exposed 20+ days per year were 8X as likely to contract NHL.
Other factors associated with increased risk of NHL from 2,4-D exposure are:
a). increased period of time of exposure
b) not using protective equipment
c) using backpack or hand sprayers
d) employing tractor mounted or mist blower sprayer
e) applying herbicides aerially
Hematologic Malignancies
Several studies have associated exposures to solvents with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML), Multiple Myeloma, and other forms of leukemia. A restrospective cohort study of 14,457 workers exposed to trichloroethylene between 1952 and 1953 showed that mortality was raised for multiple myeloma and NHL in white women[iv] . In a Finnish study, workers exposed to 1,1,1-trichloroethylene showed excess cancers of cervix uteri and lymphohematopoietic tissues. After 10 years (from first personal measurement) excess pancreatic cancer and NHL was seen. At a 20 year follow-up, excess Multiple myeloma and cancer of the nervous system was found. Workers exposed to trichloroethylene showed (after a 20 year follow up) an excess of cancers of the stomach, liver, prostate, and lymphohematopoeitic tissues.[v]
A review article by Lora Fleming and William Timmeney revealed that there have been 280 cases of aplastic anemia associated with pesticide exposure reported in the literature. The majority of these cases were young (avg. age 34) with a short latency (mean, 5 months) and had a history of occupational exposure to pesticides.[vi] Another study which looked at the cancer risk for painters showed increased cancer rates for multiple myeloma (OR1.95, 95%CI), bladder tumors (OR 1.52, 95CI), as well as kidney and other urothelial tumors (OR 1.45, 95%CI).[vii] A study in Sweden of 275 confirmed diagnoses of multiple myeloma showed a clear association between farming and multiple myeloma. This study revealed that exposures to chlorophenoxy acid herbicides (2,4-D) and DDT were prime risk factors.[viii]
[1] 2,4-D, a chlorophenoxyacid herbicide, gained notoriety from it’s combination with 2,4,5-T to form a mixture known as “Agent Orange”. It is commonly used by municipalities and states to spray roadways and right-of-ways to keep the weeds down. It can be purchased at home stores for home lawn care and is often applied by chemical lawn care companies. It contains several dioxin contaminates and, in my opinion, is quite toxic to animals, children and adults.
[i]Davis JR. Family Pesticide Use and Childhood Brain Cancer. Arch. Env. Contam. Toxicol. 24, (1993) 87-92.
[ii] Leiss J, Savitz D. Home Pesticide Use and Childhood Cancer: A Case Control Study, AJPH Feb. 1995;85 (2) 249-252
[iii] Claggett, S. 2,4-D Information Packet. Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides pub. 1990
[iv]Spirtas, R. et al. Retrospective cohort mortality study of workers at an aircraft maintenance facility. Br. J. Indust Med. 1991;48:515-530
[v] Anttila, A. et al. Cancer Incidence among Finnish Workers Exposed to Halogenated Hydrocarbons, JOEM 37:7 July 1995, 797-806
[vi] Fleming L, Timmeny Wm. Aplastic Anemia and Pesticides, An Etiologic Association?. JOM, 35:11, Nov. 1993, 1106-1115.
[vii]Bethwaite PB, Pearce N, Fraser J. Cancer risks in painters: study based on the New Zealand Cancer Registry, Br. J. Indust. Med. 1990;47:742-746.
[viii] Eriksson, M. Karlsson, M. Occupational and other environmental factors and multiple myeloma: a population based case-control study. Br. J. Indust. Med 1992;49:95-103.
