Protracted neurotoxicity from chlordane sprayed to kill termites.

Abstract

Over 250 adults and children were exposed to chlordane when the wooden building surfaces and soil around an apartment complex were sprayed in 1987. Two hundred-sixteen adults had neurobehavioral functions measured and completed questionnaires for symptom frequency, mood status, confounding factors, and medical, rheumatic, and respiratory disorders in 1994. Measurements included simple and choice reaction time, balance, blink reflex latency, color vision, cognitive, perceptual motor, memory, and recall functions. We analyzed 216 exposed and 174 referent adults. Age, educational level, weight, height, and gender ratio were similar for the exposed and referent groups. Performance of balance, reaction times, Culture Fair, digit symbol, verbal recall, and trail-making were significantly impaired in exposed persons compared to referents. Mood-state scores were elevated, as were the frequencies of respiratory, neurobehavioral, and rheumatic symptoms. In contrast, long-term memory function was similar in both groups, consistent with its status before exposure. There was no identified bias or confounding factors. Chlordane exposure was associated with protracted impairment of neurophysiological and psychological functions. The central nervous system is the most important target of chlorinated cyclodiene insecticides. Human exposure should be prohibited. Images p690-a

Pesticides as a source of developmental disabilities

“…It was most visible in the hands, but a fine tremor of the head and even the entire body afflicted some of the workers. In parallel with the chlordane findings from Kilburn and Thornton [1995], the persistence of these problems, which abated quite sluggishly, may be a clue to the potency of chlordecone as a developmental neurotoxicant. Investigations of animal behavior have shown a variety of effects arising from chlordecone administration.…”

“…Kilburn and Thornton [1995] assessed 216 adults exposed in 1987 when the apartment complex in which they lived was sprayed with chlordane. In addition to obtaining responses to questionnaires for symptom frequency and other subjective indices, the investigators measured a variety of neurobehavioral variables such as reaction time and memory functions.…”

Endocrine disrupting chemicals in indoor and outdoor air

“…Figure 4 shows measured concentrations for the termiticide chlordane, a persistent organochlorine pesticide which was widely used in and around building foundations until its use was restricted in the mid 1980s (Kilburn and Thornton, 1995). Chlordane concentrations are widely variable indoors; and lower concentrations are seen outdoors compared with indoors, and in rural verses urban areas.…”

Organohalogen contaminants and metabolites in cerebrospinal fluid and cerebellum gray matter in short-beaked common dolphins and Atlantic white-sided dolphins from the western North Atlantic

“…Chemicals found in the pesticide chlordane (e.g., cis-nonachlor, trans-nonachlor, cis-chlordane, and transchlordane) are neurotoxicants that block the λ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor found in the brain. The blocking of this ion channel impedes the uptake of chloride ions by neurons and causes a state of uncontrolled excitation, which may explain why chlordane has been shown to negatively affect balance and reaction times in exposed humans (Kilburn and Thornton, 1995).…”