CH>I know that many physicians really tire of any kind of mention of toxic
CH>exposures to common chemicals.  But, of course, in farm areas of the country
CH>you have organophosphate fertilizers,neurotoxic pesticides (that is there mo
CH>of action), and Malathion from mosquito sprays.  History has shown some
CH>interesting panics from say rye bread with mold containing a substance with
CH>So, really this is an old problem (think also the lead in Rome).  These
CH>historic things had qualities of mass hysteria.  I am now researching an ide
CH>that groups of psychotic people may have both probably a genetic disposition
CH>and common exposures to these chemicals. In Michigan, there are incredible
CH>levels of various chemicals from PBB's to Dioxins.  My question, to anyone,
CH>without knowing the specific chemicals to test for can you use a GC or other
CH>biological markers to test for these exposures?  In areas of mass psychosis
CH>could there be preventive medical analysis?  If so, how?  If so, how would y
CH>get the word out?  I'm concerned that no one would want to panic these alrea
CH>psychotic persons. Good point but maybe there is a "new" thing like the
CH>problems with the citrus herbicide here.  Farms are not get away places but
CH>now a real cornucopia of a chemical soup (additive effects) Cathy.

My guess would be that the biggest risk of exposure to these types of
chemicals would be the farm workers who work in areas of pesticide
application.  There is no question that these chemicals are extremely
(acutely) toxic.  But whether others with trace exposures are at risk
for developing medical sequelae is much more problematical.  I also
think it unlikely that psychosis by itself could be attributed to
pesticide poisoning.  Neurotoxins produce many other types of symptoms,
many of them strictly neurological.

Whether someone with a disease like CFS or MCS who moves to a rural
area is at increased risk for even trace exposures to farm chemicals
would be very hard to determine scientifically.  Chemical sensitivity
has proved extremely difficult to study, and people who live in rural
areas would be difficult to recruit for studies requiring sophisticated
brain imaging techniques such as PET.

I certainly wouldn't stand in fields being crop dusted or sprayed, but
apart from that, unless you are a farm worker, I'm not sure that there
is much risk.

AJR

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