Gonadotoxic Effects of DBCP: A Historical Review and Current Concepts

Abstract

Dibromo-chloro-propane (DBCP), a persistent liphophilic brominated organochlorine, has been produced for agricultural purposes as a nematocide since the 1950s. Widespread use due to its effectiveness as a pesticide continued until the late 1970s when early reports of its toxicity emerged from the laboratories, particularly its impact on spermatogenesis and other adverse reproductive health effects. Since then innumerable cases and studies have surfaced with clear impact after exposure to DBCP, however, the sustained effect of this exposure has yet to be completely understood. As a result of these studies, environmental agencies banned almost all agricultural uses of DBCP in the United States in the late 1970s. This review will try to balance the known toxicity of DBCP with a scientific assessment of published data and a summary of the legal issues that have resulted.

Letter to the Editor

“…I believe that Hwang et al review of the gonadotoxic effects of DBCP [1] mischaracterized both the science and history of dibromochloropropane's hazards in an agricultural setting.…”

“…The entire premise of toxicology is that animal results presage human health harms. Hwang et al imply that Torkelson's admittedly "arbitrary" concentration limit reflected an understanding of "species specificity and the comparatively low impact of DBCP on human DNA" [1]. However, the studies they cite on these topics were not published until decades after Torkelson settled on his number.…”

Environmental toxins

“…This pathophysiologic activity most likely accounts for DBCP's specific toxicity during the spermatogenic cycle. 77 2,4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid. Exposure of 2,4dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) on 32 male farm sprayers after 4 days of sexual inactivity showed significantly high levels of asthenospermia, necrospermia, and teratospermia.…”

“…This pathophysiologic activity most likely accounts for DBCP’s specific toxicity during the spermatogenic cycle. 77…”