Endocrine, immune, and behavioral effects of aldicarb (carbamate), atrazine (triazine) and nitrate (fertilizer) mixtures at groundwater concentrations

Abstract

This paper describes the results of 5 years of research on interactive effects of mixtures of aldicarb, atrazine, and nitrate on endocrine, immune, and nervous system function. The concentrations of chemicals used were the same order of magnitude as current maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for all three compounds. Such levels occur in groundwater across the United States. Dosing was through voluntary consumption of drinking water. We used fractional and full factorial designs with center replicates to determine multifactor effects. We used chronic doses in experiments that varied in duration from 22 to 103 days. We tested for changes in thyroid hormone levels, ability to make antibodies to foreign proteins, and aggression in wild deer mice, Peromyscus maniculatus, and white outbred Swiss Webster mice, Mus musculus, ND4 strain. Endocrine, immune, and behavior changes occurred due to doses of mixtures, but rarely due to single compounds at the same concentrations. Immune assay data suggest the possibility of seasonal effects at low doses. We present a multiple-level model to help interpret the data in the context of human health and biological conservation concerns. We discuss six testing deficiencies of currently registered pesticides, and suggest areas of human health concerns if present trends in pesticide use continue.

Environmentally Realistic Exposure to the Herbicide Atrazine Alters Some Sexually Selected Traits in Male Guppies

“…A few studies have analyzed the effects of EDCs on male competitive behaviors [91], [92], [93], [94]. Male-male competition is high in many species, and an individual's aggression levels can influence his access to mates [95], [96].…”

Bioremediation of Pharmaceuticals, Pesticides, and Petrochemicals with Gomeya/Cow Dung

“…Select chemical/medicinal combinations can exhibit additive or synergistic toxic effects [12–14], and even compounds with different mechanisms of action can have interactive toxicological effects [15]. Many times, the wanted effects of medicaments in target species are the adverse effects in nontargeted species.…”

Endocrine Disrupting Contaminants—Beyond the Dogma

“…As early as 1945, methemoglobinemia was associated with drinking nitrate-contaminated well water on farms from the Midwest United States. Those concerns as well as new ones continue today with increasing contamination of groundwater with nitrates (Avery 1999; Porter et al 1999). Nitrates have been implicated as a disruptor of gonadal steroidogenesis (Panesar 1999; Panesar and Chan 2000; Zraly et al 1997) and thyroid function (Kursa et al 2000; Lahti et al 1985; Wyngaarden et al 1952, 1953).…”