|
Neurotoxicity
Many pesticides,
particularly insecticides, are neurotoxic to humans and other animals
because their mechanism of action targets the insect nervous system.
The most common mechanism of action is inhibition of the enzyme cholinesterase,
which is essential for transmission of nerve impulses. Most pesticides in this category
are organophosphorus or carbamate compounds.
 Cholinesterase
Inhibitors
Other Neurotoxic Pesticides
Cholinesterase
Inhibitors
Proper functioning of the
nervous system requires an enzyme called cholinesterase (ChE), which
facilitates the transmission of nerve impulses. ChE-inhibiting pesticides
disable this enzyme, resulting in symptoms of neurotoxicity---tremors,
nausea, and weakness at low doses; paralysis and death at higher
doses. Most of these pesticides are insecticides with a similar
mechanism of action in both insects and humans.
Exposure to
cholinesterase-inhibiting pesticides has been linked to impaired
neurological development in the fetus and in infants, chronic fatigue
syndrome, and Parkinson's disease.
About
the Data: Accuracy,
currency, comprehensiveness and source
Our list of ChE inhibitors was constructed based on the California
Department of Pesticide Regulation's list of ChE-inhibiting pesticides
(1). For pesticides not registered in California, the chemical structure
or Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) was used to classify the pesticide
as a cholinesterase inhibitor. This data was last updated
July 10, 2000 by PAN Staff. This list is relatively static, since
few newly registered pesticides are cholinesterase inhibitors.
References:
- Summary of Pesticide
Use Report Data, 1998, Table 5A, California Department of Pesticide
Regulation (Sacramento, CA, November 1999). Viewed on October
31, 2002.
- PAN staff evaluation of chemical
structures and toxicity using: Chem
Finder, Materials Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), and The Pesticide Manual, 11th edition, C. D. S. Tomlin,
Ed., British Crop Protection Council (Farnham,
Surrey, UK, 1997).
Top
of page
Other
Neurotoxic Pesticides
Some pesticides cause neurotoxicity
that is unrelated to cholinesterase inhibition. Exposure to neurotoxic
pesticides has been linked to impaired cognitive development in
children, behavioral abnormalities, and Parkinsons disease. The
U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory
list provides information on the neurotoxicity of the chemicals
in the list, but not for all pesticides.
Last updated
November 11, 2002
.
|
