Exposures

Dursban

What it is: Dursban is the name of one of the most widely used pesticide in homes, schools, hospitals, and in agriculture. It is extremely toxic. It is one of 37 similar chemicals called organophosphates. It comes in the form of granules and its primary function is to kill bugs by damaging the nervous system. Dursban has been produced and used for more than 20 years. It is currently being phased out of production due to its known toxicity.

Where it is found: Dursban is found outside on the ground, on plants, in the dirt, in the water, in parks and lawns, and almost everywhere due to its widespread use. It has a tendency to bio-accumulate in animals. Inside, it is found in dust, in carpet dust, on floors, on vegetables, dog and cat flea collars, in the air near the floor. It is a serious indoor air pollutant. It can get onto hands, shoes, furniture, and into your mouth.
How we're exposed: We eat and drink and breathe it. It is a residue, meaning that it sticks around. We eat it on our hands after using such products or on unwashed vegetables or unwashed hands. We inhale it in our air both indoors and out. The danger of the chemical exposure depends on how lately Dursban has been used and in what concentration.

The damage it causes: Acute exposure to Dursban, and other organophosphates results in nausea, headaches, twitching, dizziness, teeth grinding, increased sweating and salivation. It is a severe skin irritant and has the ability to cause intestinal cramps, diarrhea, sleeplessness and nightmares. Dursban and organophosphates depress an enzyme in our bodies after long-term exposure. This may result in asthma, neurobehavioral effects, and multiple chemical sensitivities.

In Adults: Exposures in adults can be acute or long-term. Acute exposure results in the symptoms mentioned above and even death. Adults are more susceptible to the long-term risks of Dursban exposure. Effects include depression, mood swings, and anxiety, fatigue, lethargy and concentration and memory problems. It is difficult for doctors to correctly diagnose these symptoms as pesticide poisoning.

In children: Children are impacted much more severely by pesticides than are adults. They play in the grass, in the garden, and close to the floor. They place their hands and toys in their mouths regularly and their systems are not mature. Many cases of asthma and chronic fatigue in children go undiagnosed as a result of pesticide poisoning. Some studies show that Dursban exposure early in life result in adverse changes in the nervous system and in normal learning behavior.

In babies born and unborn: Exposure during pregnancy may result in some birth defects. Some studies link Dursban exposure in pregnancy with the following: growth retardation, mental retardation, defects in the brain, heart, palate, face, and body. Dursban has been found in very high concentration in breast milk of animals in studies.

Lindane

What it is: Lindane is an organochloride pesticide. It comes in the form of a white solid substance that evaporates quickly into the air. Lindane does not occur naturally in the environment. Its primary use is to kill head lice, body lice and scabies. It was used for 50 years in agriculture to kill bugs on fruits and vegetables.

Where it is: Lindane is found in the air near factories that produce it, and locally after it has been applied. It can remain in the air for up to 17 weeks, traveling quite far. It takes rain or snow to remove it from the air, bringing it down to earth, and into the water. Lindane is being phased out of production and use in the United States, but is still widely used in countries from which we import products. It is a bio-accumulative chemical in the fat of fish. It is a common ingredient in head lice treatments.

How we're exposed: The most serious exposure we can encounter is through direct skin contact such as lice or scabies treatment. This is especially true for children. Other points of contact come from eating contaminated food like meats, fruits, vegetables and milk. Breathing it in the air near factories which produce it is hazardous as well is drinking contaminated water.

The damage it causes: Lindane can cause seizures in acute exposures, as well as headache, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and even death. It has been linked to breast and liver cancer. Most acute exposures occur from treating lice and scabies.

In Adults: Lindane has been linked to cancer. Long-term exposure has been linked to blood disorders, headaches, dizziness, and sex hormone changes.

In children: Children are most at risk for acute Lindane exposure because of lice treatments. Children are also much more easily affected by toxic chemicals than are adults. Seizures and death have been results of some exposures. A lice treatment of Lindane is usually applied as a shampoo. This directly exposes the child, and then the chemical is washed down the drain to be recycled into the water supply. Low-level exposures are associated with acute leukemia in children.

In babies born and unborn: Although there has been little study on human exposure to Lindane during pregnancy, some animal studies have shown birth defects in the offspring of exposed mothers as well as an increased number of still births. There is a possibility that Lindane can damage the central nervous system of the unborn child. This type of damage can lead to developmental, behavioral and learning disabilities. Traces of Lindane have been found in human breast milk all over the world.