Health Effects of Diazinon on a Family

Abstract

There is increasing evidence of permanent sequalae from acute organophosphate poisoning. We report on accidental diazinon overexposure with acute organophosphate poisoning through cutaneous absorption and inhalation followed by persistent neurological effects. In addition, we observed skeletal and endocrine effects likely attributable to the diazinon poisoning. A family of seven was exposed to diazinon in June 1999 over a two-day period. The pesticide company mistakenly used diazinon to heavily spray the inside of the home instead of permethrin. The applicator applied the pesticide over the entire surface of the floor, carpeting, furniture, and clothing in closets to eradicate an infestation of fleas. Acute symptoms in the family members included headaches, nausea, skin irritation, runny nose, and vomiting. The family was first evaluated at 3 months and then 3 years after the acute poisoning. There were persisting neurological symptoms of memory loss, decreased concentration, irritability, and personality changes of varying degrees in all family members. Objective neurological findings of impaired balance, reaction time, color vision, slotted pegboards and trials making were present in the three older children who could be tested. Neuropsychological evaluation revealed evidence of organic brain dysfunction in all seven family members. Bone growth difficulties are present in four of five children. One child has delayed menarche.

Animal Models That Best Reproduce the Clinical Manifestations of Human Intoxication with Organophosphorus Compounds

“…Persisting neurologic symptoms of memory loss, decreased concentration, irritability, and personality changes have also been observed in all members of a family who were accidentally exposed to the OP pesticide diazinon (Dahlgren et al, 2004). A pesticide company mistakenly sprayed the interior of the family's house with diazinon, and, soon after the exposure, all members of the family presented acute signs and symptoms of OP intoxication, including headaches, nausea, skin irritation, runny nose, and vomiting.…”

“…In addition, although it is true that subtle differences in the prevalence of delayed signs and symptoms of OP neurotoxicity also exist among individuals exposed to different OP pesticides and nerve agents, it appears that mood disorders, specifically anxiety and depression, and cognitive deficits, particularly attention deficits and memory impairment, are common persistent neurologic conditions seen in individuals long after their exposure to these chemicals (Metcalf and Holmes, 1969;Levin and Rodnitzky, 1976;Savage et al, 1988;Rosenstock et al, 1991;Steenland et al, 1994;Nozaki et al, 1995;Hatta et al, 1996;Hood, 2001;Nishiwaki et al, 2001;Wesseling et al, 2002;Dahlgren et al, 2004;Roldán-Tapia et al, 2005). In many cases, these delayed neurologic deficits have been observed in the absence of acute convulsions and/or hypoxia induced by the OP compounds.…”

“…Just as alarming are the conservative estimates that pesticide self-poisoning worldwide accounts for more than 250,000 deaths per year, which corresponds to about one-third of the world's suicide cases (Gunnell et al, 2007). Finally, epidemiologic studies have provided compelling evidence that acute or continued exposure to subacute levels of OP pesticides is associated with increased risks of debilitating neurologic disorders in both adults and developing children (Levin and Rodnitzky, 1976;Savage et al, 1988;Dahlgren et al, 2004;Rosas and Eskenazi, 2008;Engel et al, 2011).…”

Organophosphate Poisoning in Pregnancy: A Case Report

“…Unintentional overexposure to diazenon on a family of seven over a two-day period resulted in persisiting neurological symptoms such as memory loss, decreased concentration, irritability, and personality changes of varying degrees in all family members while bone growth difficulties are present in four of five children (Dahlgren et al 2004).…”

Galantamine prevents long-lasting suppression of excitatory synaptic transmission in CA1 pyramidal neurons of soman-challenged guinea pigs

“…Memory decline (Dahlgren et al, 2004; Hood, 2001; Loh et al, 2010; Murata et al, 1997; Nishiwaki et al, 2001), increased power of the slow electroencephalogram frequencies (Duffy et al, 1979), and structural damage in brain regions associated with cognitive processing, including the hippocampus (Mittal et al, 2011; Yamasue et al, 2007), are common clinical manifestations observed long after the exposure of humans to OP nerve agents and pesticides. Persistent neurological dysfunctions and structural brain damage that resemble those presented by humans exposed to nerve agents have been successfully reproduced in different animal models, including rats, mice, guinea pigs, and non-human primates.…”