Unanticipated prevalence of symptoms among dairy farmers in Michigan and Wisconsin.

Abstract

Adverse human health effects resulting from exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PBBs) were unknown until the accidental contamination of Michigan dairy farm animal feed in 1973-1974. Human exposure resulted from the consumption of contaminated meat, milk, dairy products, and eggs. In November 1976, the Environmental Sciences Laboratory conducted comprehensive examinations of 933 farmers and residents in Mighigan who were likely to have consumed farm products contaminated with PBB. A comparison group of 229 Wisconsin dairy farmers were examined in March 1977 and the same scientific and medical staffs that conducted the Michigan survey were responsible and the same procedures used. A complete history of symptomatology by organ system, including year of first onset, duration, frequency, and severity of each symptom was obtained by a physician on all adults examined. Statistical analysis of the prevalence of symptoms at the time of examination or during the preceding year in the Michigan and Wisconsin populations studied found the Michigan group to have a significantly higher prevalence of skin, neurological and musculoskeletal symptoms. The increase was seen among the younger age groups 16-35 and 36-55. Michigan females had a higher prevalence of neurological symptoms than the Michigan males. The existing differences could not be explained without considering an etiologic role for exposure to PBB.

Liver function tests among Michigan and Wisconsin dairy farmers.

“…These complaints were significantly more prevalent in the Michigan group than among the Wisconsin controls (10). The association between these reports and an objective physiological measure such as SGPT lends credence to the Michigan participants' complaints.…”

“…A detailed description of the methods of this study appear elsewhere (10). A more general description is presented here.…”

Retardantes de chama bromados: uma revisão

“…30 Os efeitos sentidos pela população de Michigan, afetada pelo acidente de 1973, incluem alterações gastrointestinais, cutâneas, músculo-esqueléticas e neurológicas. 36,37,51 Outros estudos feitos ainda mostram relação entre a exposição aos PBBs e incidência de câncer, alteração de crescimento, e alteração no ciclo menstrual. 44,45,52,53 Nos EUA, a produção do HxBB foi descontinuada em 1976, 20 mas a produção do OBB e DBB continuou até 1979.…”

Investigation of the Health Status of Michigan Chemical Corporation Employees

“…Questionnaires, examinations, and procedures utilized in study of the Michigan Chemical Corporation workers were identical with those used for the other groups participating in the survey (6). However, in addition, workers were asked whether acute symptoms had ever been experienced while working in the plant.…”

“…Grouping of symptoms and laboratory test results were the same as those used in the analyses reported elsewhere (6)(7)(8)(9). Symptoms experienced which were attributable to acute exposures in the plant were not separated from chronic symptoms.…”