What are organophosphates? (And why are they so deadly?)

Thursday, September 26, 2013 by: L.J. Devon, Staff Writer
Tags: organophosphates, deadly chemicals, pesticides

(NaturalNews) Silent chemical warfare has been waged upon unsuspecting populations of people in many parts of the world. Many don't realize they are being poisoned slowly over time on such a grand scale.

Organophosphates, similar to chemical agents produced during World War II, are one of the most common mass produced chemicals assaulting human health today. Developed in Germany in the 1940s, these toxic insecticides are responsible for a host of neurological disorders cropping up in modern society.

25 children killed, yet widespread, long-term poisoning continues

Organophosphates are responsible for the recent poisoning of 25 children this summer in a school in India. In the report, the rice or cooking oil used to prepare the food contained a high level of organophosphates.

The poisoned schoolchildren in India were fed a lethal dose of organophosphates in their school lunch. They went into convulsions and fainted quickly after ingesting their laced lunch. 25 of the school children were pronounced dead soon thereafter. The meal, part of a government nutrition program called the Mid Day Scheme, was set up to help malnourished Indian children. The program backfired thanks to the organophosphates, which took many of the students to an early grave this past summer.

Why are the dangers of organophosphates swept under the rug and not openly discussed? Why isn't this long-term chemical attack on humanity brought to light?

It may be because modern agriculture relies on these insecticide powers. Modern agriculture permits these toxic chemicals to run amuck on crops such as peaches, apples, grapes, green beans and pears, to name a few. Agricultural uses include field applications on corn, alfalfa, cotton and canola. Exterminators spray organophosphorus compounds in residential and commercial buildings, and many pest control products for pets contain these destructive chemicals.

The mechanism of organophosphate's destruction

In the factory, these organophosphates are mixed and manufactured. Simple inhalation, ingestion or skin contact starts the poisoning process. After leaving the factory, the chemicals are often sprayed on crops and plants. Organophosphates may travel into the soil and water, settling in puddles. The chemicals may break down and move away from the field. Groundwater is easily contaminated, especially with the help of a good rain. This is why children of farm workers are most impacted by the destructive mechanisms of organophosphates.

So what makes these man-made chemicals so deadly?

Organophosphates kill because they interfere with the nervous system of both insects and humans. They inhibit an enzyme called acetylcholinesterase. Under normal conditions, acetylcholinesterase sends chemical signals to halt nerve impulses at appropriate times. When the acetylcholinesterase enzyme is disturbed, neurological overstimulation occurs, leading to nervous system dysfunction, causing seizures and death.

Acute exposure can be observed through symptoms of nausea, twitching, headaches and trembling. Most people die because of an inability to breathe. The diaphragm goes into paralysis, convulsions overtake and death ensues.

Long term exposure to these insecticides produces developmental effects including behavioral problems and receding cognitive function, most notably attention deficit.

Not only do organophosphates disrupt the neurons in the body, but they also wreak havoc on the endocrine system. In time, exposure to these chemicals reduces testosterone levels, eliciting femininity in males. Male fertility may be destroyed altogether.

CDC finds organophosphate links to leukemia

Classified by the CDC as a "probable human carcinogen, authorities even admit that leukemia and lymphoma are linked to organophosphate exposure. According to the CDC website, a study conducted on children with leukemia showed that two levels of organophosphate metabolites were high in urine samples: 3,5,6-Trichloro-2-pyridinol, a metabolite of chlorpyrifos; and diethylthiophosphate, a metabolite of numerous organophosphates, such as diazinon.

Chlorpyrifos is contained in the commercial products Dursban and Lorsban, and diazinon is contained in a product called Spectracide.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.panna.org

http://www.cdc.gov

http://extoxnet.orst.edu

http://news.nationalgeographic.com

http://www.beyondpesticides.org