Fighting for Breath: Living Morally and Dying of Cancer in a Chinese Village

Appendix 2: List of Pesticides Used in Langzhong and Their Health Effects

appendix 2 List of Pesticides used in Langzhong and Their Health Effects name Chemical formula use description Potential harm (based on the Hazardous Substances data Bank, uS national Library of Medicine, http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov) Triazophos C12H16N3O3PS Insecticide for rice Organophosphate Classified as a “bad actor chemical” by the Pesticide Action Network North America (PANNA, 2010) for being acutely toxic and as highly hazardous by WHO. Health effects include: - Excessive salivation, sweating, rhinorrhea, and tearing. - Muscle twitching, weakness, tremor, incoordination. - Headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea. - Respiratory depression, tightness in chest, wheezing, productive cough, fluid in lungs. - Severe cases: seizures, incontinence, respiratory depression, loss of consciousness. - Cholinesterase inhibitor.1 Lambdacyhalotrin C23H19Cl F3NO3 Insecticide Pyrenthroids May cause irritation to the skin, throat, nose, and other body parts if exposed. Other symptoms may include dizziness, headache, nausea, lack of appetite, and fatigue. In severe poisonings, seizures and coma may occur. Not classified as a carcinogen.2 Didiwei, DDVP or dichlorvos C4 H7Cl2O4P Insecticide to protect stored crops Organophosphate Not classified as a carcinogen, but some studies showed an increased incidence of forestomach cancers in rats. Increased incidence of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder in children. Cholinesterase inhibitor. Fenaminosulf (or Dexon) C8H10N3 NaO3S Bactericide, fungicide Not classified as a carcinogen. Moderately toxic if swallowed or in contact with skin. Glyphosate C3H8NO5P Herbicide Organophosphate Classified as least dangerous compared to other herbicides and pesticides such as organochlorines, low in toxicity, no carcinogenic effects. Thiram C6H12N2S4 Sulfur fungicide Ectoparasiticide Marketed for peaches Moderately toxic by ingestion, but highly toxic if inhaled. Acute exposure in humans may cause headaches, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal complaints. Chronic exposure in humans includes drowsiness, confusion, loss of sex drive, incoordination, slurred speech, and weakness. Repeated or prolonged exposure to thiram can also cause allergic reactions such as dermatitis, watery eyes, sensitivity to light, and conjunctivitis. Not registered as a carcinogen. Ziram C6H12N2S4Zn As above. Not classifiable as a human carcinogen due to insufficient study but considered likely to be a carcinogen. Possible cholinesterase inhibitor. Notes: 1. Cholinesterase is an enzyme produced in the liver and needed for the proper functioning of the nervous systems of humans, other vertebrates, and insects. Cholinesterase-inhibiting chemicals, most notably organophosphate and carbamate pesticides, do not allow cholinesterase to end the stimulating signal that causes a build-up of stimulating signals in the nervous system. Because they cannot be removed, the stimulating signals continue firing in the body, which results in the uncontrollable movements that are the sign of cholinesterase inhibition, including rapid muscle twitching and convulsions (see http://www.toxipedia.org). 2. “Not classified as carcinogen” means not conclusively proven to be a carcinogen. This classification needs to be read with caution, because it does not rule out the possibility of the substance being carcinogenic. Of all the chemicals listed, only glyphosate has been proven not to be a carcinogen. ...