[Similar to the lies about vaccine damage. They never will admit pesticide damage as the consequences could destroy chemical farming, 99% of which is unnecessary, as are vaccines.]]
Research exposes health problems of low level OP use
Livestock News | 15 May, 2009
http://www.farmersguardian.com/story.asp?sectioncode=29&storycode=26184&c=1NEW research published by Defra has revealed the extent to which even low level exposure to organophosphate (OP) sheep dip appears to have caused health problems in farmers.
In the two-year study, the mental, physical and emotional well-being of the farmers was compared with that of a control group of rural policemen.
Problems consistently experienced among
the farmers included fatigue, muscle ache,
insomnia, depression, anxiety and impaired
memory, response speed and motor control.
A key finding was that even when those
farmers who claimed to have suffered
‘dippers flu’ were removed from the
analysis, the results showed a marked
difference in the health of the remaining
farmers and the control group.
The study is significant as it is the first to examine in any depth whether low level OP usage can have lasting effects on sheep dippers. It suggests there may be many more affected farmers across the country than had been previously realised.
“The worry is that there might be a slow cumulative effect on people. We have got no idea how many people out there are suffering,” said Sarah Mackenzie-Ross, who led the research.
“There was this idea that low exposure is OK but this research would suggest otherwise. We think it is more dangerous than previously thought.”
Dr Mackenzie-Ross, of University College London, said the research had implications for how the medical profession diagnoses and treats victims of OP poisoning and for Defra in the advice and guidelines it provides on using OPs today.
“Defra’s advice should stress OPs should
be a last resort and that other chemicals
can be used,” she said.
OP campaigners said the research
strengthened the case for a thorough review
of OP use today and for compensation to be
paid to OP victims.
But Defra said the research had not proved anything. In a statement it said: “The results of this report do not definitively demonstrate organophosphates cause chronic ill-health, but suggest that a relationship may exist. It is not possible to draw conclusions on the basis of one report without considering a wider context of published data on OPs and human health.
“The Government has always recognised the risks of working with organophosphates and has based policy on the best scientific advice available.”
It ruled out using taxpayers’ money to compensate victims ‘when the current independent advice is that a link between long-term, low-level OP exposure and ill health has not been proven’.