Long-term exposure to wood-preserving chemicals containing pentachlorophenol and lindane is related to neurobehavioral performance in women

Abstract

Background The adverse neurobehavioral effects of long‐term low exposure to wood‐preserving chemicals (WPC) containing solvents, pentachlorophenol (PCP) and γ‐hexachlorocyclohexane (γ‐HCH; lindane), and other neurotoxicants were investigated in a neuropsychological group study. Methods Out of a population of 2,000 women visiting the outpatient practice of a gynecological department, a sample of 15 women aged 31–56 (mean 43) with long‐term exposure to WPC verified by self‐report, biological monitoring, and environmental samples was investigated. Fifteen controls aged 42 (31–56) years were drawn from the same population and pair‐wise matched with respect to sex, age, education, and estimated intelligence. Results For the exposed group, mean PCP serum level was 43.6μg/l and mean γ‐HCH blood level was 0.085μg/l. Mean duration of exposure was 10 (5–17) years. Intellectual functioning, attention, memory, and visuo‐motor performance were examined, suggesting significant group differences in visual short‐term memory (Benton Test; d > 1.5, P > .005), verbal memory (paired associate learning and Peterson paradigm; d > 4.3 and 1.6, P < .001), and an incidental learning task (d > 2.3; P > .001). Frequent subjective complaints as assessed by questionnaire were attenuated motivation (d > 1.7; P > .001), increased fatigue (d > 1.6; P > .001), distractibility (d > 1.0; P > .003), and depressed mood (d > 1.9; P > .004). PCP blood level was significantly associated with paired‐associate learning, Benton Test, and reading/naming speed. Conclusions Long‐term low‐dose exposure to WPC in the domestic environment could be related to subjective complaints (attention, mood, and motivation) and to subtle alterations of neurobehavioral performance (e.g., working memory) in women. Am. J. Ind. Med. 35:632–641, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Pesticide exposure and women's health

“…Effects of domestic exposure to wood-preserving pesticides were investigated in a reduced sample of 15 long-term exposed women, compared with a matched control group [Peper et al, 1999]. Blood levels of pentachlorophenol and g-HCH were significantly higher in the exposed group, and exposed women manifested significantly worse self-reported attention level and mood state, learning and memory functions, and psychomotor speed.…”

Transcriptional Activation of Stress Genes and Cytotoxicity in Human Liver Carcinoma (HepG2) Cells Exposed to Pentachlorophenol

“…They can also influence sex differentiation in wildlife animals [10][11][12]. Furthermore, considerable evidence shows that exposure to low levels of organochlorine pesticides can result in physiological stresses and reproductive disruption in humans and other animal species [6,[13][14][15][16][17]. PCP's environmental pathways lead to the contamination of soil, water, and food.…”

Sphingobium Chlorophenolicum Dichlorohydroquinone Dioxygenase (PcpA) Is Alkaline Resistant and Thermally Stable

“…It was used primarily as an herbicide in farmlands and as a wood preservative in timber industry 1-3. However, severe diseases such as cancer, acute pancreatitis, immunodeficiency and neurological disorders are possible consequences after extensive exposure to PCP 4-7. PCP is currently listed as one of the major environmental pollutants in North America because of its widespread distribution, strong resistance to biodegradation, and high toxicity to both human and farm animals 4-10.…”