Horsewoman in Texas with severe Neuromuscular Disease wonders about the Pyrethrin fly sprays
[ Symptoms of Pesticide Poisoning ]
[ Pesticide Articles Site Map ] * [ Pesticide Letters Site Map ] * [ Site Map ]
I am a 53 year old horsewoman who has used pyrethrins in our riding academy for 10 years. WE installed an overhead spray system that we were told was totally safe for horses and people...only attacked the nervous system of flies.
We have also used concentrated forms of pyrethrins mixed for use in hand sprayers for horse's legs. In June of this year, we began using an oil based form for the legs...the flies seemed to be developing an immunity to the water-based forms.
Within 6 weeks of using the oil based form (I would not allow my students to apply this...even though the warning said nothing about using gloves...just wash hands after use) I began to have trouble with my right foot dragging. I began to stumble, then started falling.
I now have a neuro-muscular degenerative disease that no one can diagnose. I have seen 3 neurologists...am going to another one next week....I use a walker and am loosing the use of my right hand.
There are two doctors that believe my condition is related to the exposure to pyrethrins. One of them is a horseman and believes the school horses that are stumbling for seemingly no reason, are also victims of the neurological effect of the pyrethrins.
If the "natural" pesticide paralyzes the nervous system of flies and causes paralysis and arrhythmia. in rats....does it not seem logical that with prolonged exposure, humans could likewise be affected. The poison control center in our area of Texas notes that with prolonged and heavy exposure, pyrethrins can cause the loss of use of the lower limbs in humans.
What do you know about this possible correlation?
Judith Becker
Response from Dr. Janette Sherman:
The woman has it correct. Pyrethrins kill insects (and anything else) by
damaging the nervous system. The fact that she and her horses have received continuing doses of pyrethrins
is reason enough for their neuropathy.
STOP using it....
Will they recover - probably unlikely, but let us hope it will not get worse.
If the company failed to warn of the dangers, there may be a legal claim.
I hope this helps.
JDS
Response from Dr. Robert Simon:
You need to look at the label and MSDS (material safety data sheet) for this
product. Oil based pyrethrins usually contain PBO (piperonyl butoxide, an oil that is a synergist) and MGK-264, another synergist. In combination with
pyrethroids (all pyrethrins are now synthetic, NOT natural products) PBO and MGK 264 provide a very powerful neurological poison combination. Your
symptoms and those of the horses are very similar to a Florida horse farm where the worker died and many horses died using similar products. If you fax
me the label and/or MSDS I can take a look at it. You should stop all use of this product immediately. Also the persistence of these pryethrins with PBO
is years. The pest control companies have many lies that these products are safe and natural. All such talk is false. These chemicals also attach the
immune and pulmonary systems. You need not only a good neurologist but a good immunologist.
RK Simon, Ph.D.
| Back to Letters Site Map | Pesticide Articles Site Map | Get Set Site Map |
