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Dioxin-contaminated herbicides
928
Information Section
Cholesterol-lowering effect of legumes... A legume-rich diet has been shown to significantly reduce the level of the type of cholesterol fraction (LDL cholesterol) thought to be involved in heart disease. For nine American men, 6-7 weeks on a diet providing 120 g/day (dry weight) of beans, peas and lentils reduced their baseline level of serum LDL cholesterol of 138 mg/dl down to 126 mg/dl (Duane W.C., Journal of Lipid Research 1997, 38, 1120). ... and of rice bran oil A group of 20 people with high serum cholesterol levels (greater than 5.69 mmol/litre) who were maintained on a special cholesterol-lowering diet for 4 weeks were given, over a second 4-week period, a novel fraction of specially processed rice bran oil (a tocotrienol-rich fraction, TRF25). The TRF25 produced marked reductions in the levels of total and LDL cholesterol (17% and 23%, respectively, compared with corresponding reductions of 7 and 11% in an appropriate control group). The TRF25 treatment also reduced the serum levels of lipoprotein A, apolipoprotein B, platelet factor 4 and plasma thromboxane B2, effects which the investigators considered might also be meaningful in the prevention of cardiovascular disease (Qureshi A.A. et al., Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry 1997, 8, 290).
Allergy to a c o m m o n mushroom Swiss investigators describe four cases of allergic reactions following the ingestion of the edible mushroom Boletus edulis. The reactions were severe (=anaphylactic") in three of the four individuals. Occupational exposure to this fungus (fresh or dried) also induced asthma in two of the four. This is claimed to be the first report of allergy to the edible mushroom by ingestion or inhalation (Torricelli R. et al., Allergy 1997, 52, 747).
Allergy to chicory A Swiss cook experienced allergic reactions (including difficulty in swallowing, conjunctivitis, generalized rash and itching) after eating Belgian endive (chicory). Local reactions were also induced when she handled the vegetable. Oral challenges in the laboratory confirmed the food intolerance (Helbling A. et aL,Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 1997, 99, 854).
Allergy to mlte-contaminated flour In a report on 30 Venezuelans with "unexplained anaphylaxis" following the ingestion of foods
containing wheat flour, all of the severe allergic reactions were attributed to the presence of mites (mainly Dermatopbagoides spp.) in the flour. The warm temperatures and high relative humidity in this part of the world present ideal growing conditions for the mites. The investigators noted that, while respiratory allergy from the inhalation of house dust mites is well recognized, there have been few previous reports of allergy from their ingestion (Sanchez-Borges M. et al., Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 1997, 99, 738).
Anti-tumour activity of plant flavonoids In tissue culture studies, the plant-derived flavonoids 3',4'-dihydroxyflavone, luteolin in and 3-hydroxyflavone all had stronger inhibitory effects on the proliferation of human tumour cells and human and bovine blood vessel cells than did genistein, a related compound already thought to contribute towards the protective effects of plantbased diets. These compounds and three other flavonoids, apigenin, fisetin and 2',3'-dihydroxyflavone, were also more successful than genistein at inhibiting the in vitro generation of new capillaries from existing vessels, an effect the investigators considered significant, as the development of a blood supply is essential for the local expansion and spread of tumours (Fotsis T. et aL, Cancer Research 1997, 57, 2916).
Mint essential oil genotoxic Essential oil from the mint species Mentha rpicata (spearmint) and one of its major constituents, menthone, were mutagenic to the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. A weak genotoxic action was reported for the constituent pulegone (Franzios
G. et al., Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 1997, 45, 2690).
Mutagenic activity of trigonelline, a coffee constituent This naturallyoccurring component of green coffee beans, which in pure form shows no mutagenic activity in the Ames bacterial test, was found to be a potent Ames mutagen when heated (alone or in combination with one or more amino acids) for 20 minutes at 250°C (in a simulation of coffee roasting). None of the established mutagenic heterocyclic amines were identified (Wu X. et al., Mutation Research 1997, 391,171).
Dioxin-contaminated herbicides A multinationalstudy, co-ordinatedby the InternationalAgency for Research on Cancer
Information Section (IARC), found that "exposure to herbicides contaminated with TCDD and higher chlorinated dioxins may be associated with a small increase in overall cancer risk and in risk for specific cancers". Data on worker exposure, tissue dioxin levels and cause of death were collected on almost 22,000 men and women, from 12 countries, for the period 1939-1992. Exposure to dioxin-contaminated herbicides was associated with higher than expected mortality from cancer at several sites including the soft tissue (sarcoma), the lymphatics (nonHodgkin's lymphoma), breast and kidney. Exposure to the same range of herbicides with minimal or no contamination by dioxins was associated with a slightly elevated incidence of soft-tissue sarcoma; the incidence of other cancers (and of total cancers) was no higher than expected (Kogevinas M. et al., American Journal of Epidemiology 1997, 145, 1061).
Paraquat and Parkinson's disease A Taiwanese study involving 120 patients with Parkinson's disease and 240 hospital controls has attempted to identify possible causes of this degenerative disease. An elevated risk of developing the disease was found to be associated with an increased duration of exposure to herbicides/ pesticides in general, and to paraquat in particular. The odds ratio for those reporting at least 20 years' exposure to paraquat (compared with those with no exposure) was 6.44 (95% CI 2.41-17.2) (Liou H.H. etal., Neurology 1997, 48, 1583).
Liver damage from golf An Irish golfer developed 2,4-D-induced hepatitis, after habitually licking his golf ball during his daily round. His symptoms cleared when he ceased to clean his ball in this way, and reappeared again when, doubting the diagnosis, he resumed the habit. No other weedkiller had been used on the golf course (Leonard C. et al., Gut 1997, 40, 687).
Emamectin benzoate n developmental neurotoxin in rats This pesticide, when given to female rats by stomach tube at 2.5-3.6 mg/kg body weight/day from day 6 of pregnancy to day 20 of lactation, produced no overt signs of maternal toxicity, but affected the development and behaviour of their pups. The effects, which included growth inhibition, tremors, delayed development and impaired performance in behavioural tests, were not observed at a lower dose of 0.6 mg/kg body weight/day (Wise D.L. et al., Neurotoxicology and Teratology 1997, 19, 315).
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Lack of synergistic activity of environmental oestrogens A study in which synergistic increases in the oestrogenic activity of the ~weak environmental oestrogens" dieldrin, endosulfan, toxaphene or chlordane were reported when they were tested in pairs using a yeast model (BIBRA Bull. 1996, 35, 211) has been formally withdrawn by its US authors. A letter sent to the prestigious journal that published the original report notes that the earlier results proved impossible to duplicate (McLachlan J.A. Science 1997, 277, 462).
Death by inhalation of fumes from heated PTFE Three workers in a Taiwanese factory where PTFE resins were melted and extruded into rods developed pulmonary oedema after inhaling PTFE fumes. One of the workers died within 24 hours of exposure, after complaining of a sore throat, headache, nausea and vomiting, and developing severe breathing difficulties. Faulty machinery is thought to have caused the PTFE to be heated to over 500°C, giving rise to toxic pyrolysis products (Lee C.H. et al., European Rerpiratory Journal 1997, 10, 1408).
Inorganic mercury vapour and foetal abnormalities in humans US investigators recorded the pregnancy outcomes of 46 women who were occupationally exposed to inorganic mercury vapour and of 19 women who worked in non-production areas of the same factory. Over a 28-year study period, there were 72 and 32 pregnancies in the two groups, respectively. No clear association was evident between mercury exposure and risk of miscarriage or stillbirth, but three foetuses were severely malformed, all of them occurring in women who had been exposed to inorganic mercury levels of 0.025-0.23 mg/m 3 (Elghany N.A. et al., Occupational Medicine 1997, 47, 333).
Glycol ethers and birth defects in humans In a case-controlstudy in six regions of Europe (in France, Italy, LrK and The Netherlands), an increased risk of producing a child with a major abnormality has been found in the mothers occupationally exposed during the first trimester of pregnancy to glycol ethers (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.1-1.9). Glycol exposure was assumed to have been experienced by 158 of the 648 mothers with a malformed child. The association with exposure was especially strong for neural tube defects (OR
Information Section
Cholesterol-lowering effect of legumes... A legume-rich diet has been shown to significantly reduce the level of the type of cholesterol fraction (LDL cholesterol) thought to be involved in heart disease. For nine American men, 6-7 weeks on a diet providing 120 g/day (dry weight) of beans, peas and lentils reduced their baseline level of serum LDL cholesterol of 138 mg/dl down to 126 mg/dl (Duane W.C., Journal of Lipid Research 1997, 38, 1120). ... and of rice bran oil A group of 20 people with high serum cholesterol levels (greater than 5.69 mmol/litre) who were maintained on a special cholesterol-lowering diet for 4 weeks were given, over a second 4-week period, a novel fraction of specially processed rice bran oil (a tocotrienol-rich fraction, TRF25). The TRF25 produced marked reductions in the levels of total and LDL cholesterol (17% and 23%, respectively, compared with corresponding reductions of 7 and 11% in an appropriate control group). The TRF25 treatment also reduced the serum levels of lipoprotein A, apolipoprotein B, platelet factor 4 and plasma thromboxane B2, effects which the investigators considered might also be meaningful in the prevention of cardiovascular disease (Qureshi A.A. et al., Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry 1997, 8, 290).
Allergy to a c o m m o n mushroom Swiss investigators describe four cases of allergic reactions following the ingestion of the edible mushroom Boletus edulis. The reactions were severe (=anaphylactic") in three of the four individuals. Occupational exposure to this fungus (fresh or dried) also induced asthma in two of the four. This is claimed to be the first report of allergy to the edible mushroom by ingestion or inhalation (Torricelli R. et al., Allergy 1997, 52, 747).
Allergy to chicory A Swiss cook experienced allergic reactions (including difficulty in swallowing, conjunctivitis, generalized rash and itching) after eating Belgian endive (chicory). Local reactions were also induced when she handled the vegetable. Oral challenges in the laboratory confirmed the food intolerance (Helbling A. et aL,Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 1997, 99, 854).
Allergy to mlte-contaminated flour In a report on 30 Venezuelans with "unexplained anaphylaxis" following the ingestion of foods
containing wheat flour, all of the severe allergic reactions were attributed to the presence of mites (mainly Dermatopbagoides spp.) in the flour. The warm temperatures and high relative humidity in this part of the world present ideal growing conditions for the mites. The investigators noted that, while respiratory allergy from the inhalation of house dust mites is well recognized, there have been few previous reports of allergy from their ingestion (Sanchez-Borges M. et al., Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 1997, 99, 738).
Anti-tumour activity of plant flavonoids In tissue culture studies, the plant-derived flavonoids 3',4'-dihydroxyflavone, luteolin in and 3-hydroxyflavone all had stronger inhibitory effects on the proliferation of human tumour cells and human and bovine blood vessel cells than did genistein, a related compound already thought to contribute towards the protective effects of plantbased diets. These compounds and three other flavonoids, apigenin, fisetin and 2',3'-dihydroxyflavone, were also more successful than genistein at inhibiting the in vitro generation of new capillaries from existing vessels, an effect the investigators considered significant, as the development of a blood supply is essential for the local expansion and spread of tumours (Fotsis T. et aL, Cancer Research 1997, 57, 2916).
Mint essential oil genotoxic Essential oil from the mint species Mentha rpicata (spearmint) and one of its major constituents, menthone, were mutagenic to the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. A weak genotoxic action was reported for the constituent pulegone (Franzios
G. et al., Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 1997, 45, 2690).
Mutagenic activity of trigonelline, a coffee constituent This naturallyoccurring component of green coffee beans, which in pure form shows no mutagenic activity in the Ames bacterial test, was found to be a potent Ames mutagen when heated (alone or in combination with one or more amino acids) for 20 minutes at 250°C (in a simulation of coffee roasting). None of the established mutagenic heterocyclic amines were identified (Wu X. et al., Mutation Research 1997, 391,171).
Dioxin-contaminated herbicides A multinationalstudy, co-ordinatedby the InternationalAgency for Research on Cancer
Information Section (IARC), found that "exposure to herbicides contaminated with TCDD and higher chlorinated dioxins may be associated with a small increase in overall cancer risk and in risk for specific cancers". Data on worker exposure, tissue dioxin levels and cause of death were collected on almost 22,000 men and women, from 12 countries, for the period 1939-1992. Exposure to dioxin-contaminated herbicides was associated with higher than expected mortality from cancer at several sites including the soft tissue (sarcoma), the lymphatics (nonHodgkin's lymphoma), breast and kidney. Exposure to the same range of herbicides with minimal or no contamination by dioxins was associated with a slightly elevated incidence of soft-tissue sarcoma; the incidence of other cancers (and of total cancers) was no higher than expected (Kogevinas M. et al., American Journal of Epidemiology 1997, 145, 1061).
Paraquat and Parkinson's disease A Taiwanese study involving 120 patients with Parkinson's disease and 240 hospital controls has attempted to identify possible causes of this degenerative disease. An elevated risk of developing the disease was found to be associated with an increased duration of exposure to herbicides/ pesticides in general, and to paraquat in particular. The odds ratio for those reporting at least 20 years' exposure to paraquat (compared with those with no exposure) was 6.44 (95% CI 2.41-17.2) (Liou H.H. etal., Neurology 1997, 48, 1583).
Liver damage from golf An Irish golfer developed 2,4-D-induced hepatitis, after habitually licking his golf ball during his daily round. His symptoms cleared when he ceased to clean his ball in this way, and reappeared again when, doubting the diagnosis, he resumed the habit. No other weedkiller had been used on the golf course (Leonard C. et al., Gut 1997, 40, 687).
Emamectin benzoate n developmental neurotoxin in rats This pesticide, when given to female rats by stomach tube at 2.5-3.6 mg/kg body weight/day from day 6 of pregnancy to day 20 of lactation, produced no overt signs of maternal toxicity, but affected the development and behaviour of their pups. The effects, which included growth inhibition, tremors, delayed development and impaired performance in behavioural tests, were not observed at a lower dose of 0.6 mg/kg body weight/day (Wise D.L. et al., Neurotoxicology and Teratology 1997, 19, 315).
929
Lack of synergistic activity of environmental oestrogens A study in which synergistic increases in the oestrogenic activity of the ~weak environmental oestrogens" dieldrin, endosulfan, toxaphene or chlordane were reported when they were tested in pairs using a yeast model (BIBRA Bull. 1996, 35, 211) has been formally withdrawn by its US authors. A letter sent to the prestigious journal that published the original report notes that the earlier results proved impossible to duplicate (McLachlan J.A. Science 1997, 277, 462).
Death by inhalation of fumes from heated PTFE Three workers in a Taiwanese factory where PTFE resins were melted and extruded into rods developed pulmonary oedema after inhaling PTFE fumes. One of the workers died within 24 hours of exposure, after complaining of a sore throat, headache, nausea and vomiting, and developing severe breathing difficulties. Faulty machinery is thought to have caused the PTFE to be heated to over 500°C, giving rise to toxic pyrolysis products (Lee C.H. et al., European Rerpiratory Journal 1997, 10, 1408).
Inorganic mercury vapour and foetal abnormalities in humans US investigators recorded the pregnancy outcomes of 46 women who were occupationally exposed to inorganic mercury vapour and of 19 women who worked in non-production areas of the same factory. Over a 28-year study period, there were 72 and 32 pregnancies in the two groups, respectively. No clear association was evident between mercury exposure and risk of miscarriage or stillbirth, but three foetuses were severely malformed, all of them occurring in women who had been exposed to inorganic mercury levels of 0.025-0.23 mg/m 3 (Elghany N.A. et al., Occupational Medicine 1997, 47, 333).
Glycol ethers and birth defects in humans In a case-controlstudy in six regions of Europe (in France, Italy, LrK and The Netherlands), an increased risk of producing a child with a major abnormality has been found in the mothers occupationally exposed during the first trimester of pregnancy to glycol ethers (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.1-1.9). Glycol exposure was assumed to have been experienced by 158 of the 648 mothers with a malformed child. The association with exposure was especially strong for neural tube defects (OR