Thanks to Janna on asbi for aonter good article.
http://consumerlawpage.com/article/gulfwar.shtml
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 it¹s November, 2000 meeting in Chicago.