Presentation
Probable Carcinogen (IARC 2A) A banned insecticide and persistent organic pollutant Associated cancers: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, liver and testicular cancers (limited evidence) Most important route of exposure: Diet Primary source: DDT is persistent and present [carexcanada.ca]
The present work examined the potential transgenerational actions of the insecticide dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) on obesity and associated disease. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Volume 1 of the report already published focuses on a general presentation of the study (people from 3 to 74 years included in 2006-2007) and of detailed files for each of the eleven metals or metalloids: antimony, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, [invs.santepubliquefrance.fr]
Clinical presentation included epigastric pain, abdominal swelling, bloody diarrhoea, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, and ascites. [flipper.diff.org]
Because DDT was such a prominent insecticide in the 1950s and 60s, it is still present in lakes and rivers in the U.S., and continues to affect the ecosystem. “Literally, DDT is around for hundreds of years,” Skinner said. [healthline.com]
Gastrointestinal
- Nausea
DDT general factsheet. 1999 CLINICAL ACUTE POISONING Acute effects likely in humans due to low to moderate exposure may include nausea, diarrhea, increased liver enzyme activity, irritation (of the eyes, nose or throat), disturbed gait, malaise and excitability [flipper.diff.org]
- Vomiting
Aqueous-based activated charcoal should be used, as sorbitol-based activated charcoal may induce vomiting. Cholestyramine may be used to bind these highly lipophilic agents. [emedicine.medscape.com]
Musculoskeletal
- Muscle Weakness
Early symptoms of ALS include walking difficulties, muscle weakness, muscle cramps, and slurred speech. [medicalnewstoday.com]
- Muscle Cramp
Early symptoms of ALS include walking difficulties, muscle weakness, muscle cramps, and slurred speech. [medicalnewstoday.com]
Neurologic
- Tremor
[…] example Thailand and South Africa) for this purpose The DDT Story MOLECULAR MECHANISM DDT affects mainly the peripheral nervous system, initial contact with the insecticide causing neurons to fire spontaneously causing muscles to twitch, with resulting tremors [flipper.diff.org]
People exposed to high levels exhibit dizziness, tremor, irritability, and convulsions. Workers with longer term exposure have lasting neurological and cognitive problems. [toxicfreefuture.org]
- Excitement
"Opening the idea to a very early exposure being something that leads to a ... midlife occurrence is exciting, because maybe we can prevent it," she said. "It would be really nice to prevent it - not just medicate it, not just treat it." [sfgate.com]
DDT general factsheet. 1999 CLINICAL ACUTE POISONING Acute effects likely in humans due to low to moderate exposure may include nausea, diarrhea, increased liver enzyme activity, irritation (of the eyes, nose or throat), disturbed gait, malaise and excitability [flipper.diff.org]
- Hyperactivity
The concentration of certain persistent organic pollutants was determined in a family including both parents and one son with neurological impairment suggested to be Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
- Seizure
Seizures may begin without any prodromal signs or symptoms. If the patient is paralyzed after intubation, electroencephalographic monitoring is warranted. [emedicine.medscape.com]
- Confusion
All that remains is for those funding the spraying of DDT to stop buying into the intentionally confusing messages of the chemical industry and start moving forward with a system that protects against both malaria and cancer. [ewg.org]
Treatment
“The reason we did this one was because around four years ago the World Health Organization and the Gates Foundation pushed to remove the ban on DDT so they could use it for malaria treatment, mainly in Africa,” he said. [healthline.com]
Moreover, the p,p'-DDT-stimulated proliferation of HepG2 cells could be reversed after NAC or β-catenin siRNA co-treatment. [flipper.diff.org]
Our findings should prompt additional clinical and laboratory studies that can lead to prevention, early detection, and treatment of DDT-associated breast cancer in the many generations of women who were exposed in the womb. [breastcancer.org]
“Our findings should prompt additional clinical and laboratory studies that can lead to prevention, early detection and treatment of DDT-associated breast cancer in the many generations of women who were exposed in the womb. [phi.org]
Thompson RPH, Stathers GM, Pilcher CWT, McLean AEM, Robinson J, Williams R (1969) Treatment of unconjugated jaundice with dicophane. Lancet 2:4 CrossRef PubMed Google Scholar 20. [link.springer.com]
Etiology
Further research on interindividual differences in DDT metabolism could provide clues to testicular cancer etiology. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Epidemiology
This is the first epidemiological study demonstrating effects after nonoccupational exposures to DDT. Based on these findings, the effect of DDT on male reproductive health should not be ignored. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
“The findings should be a stimulus to further research using more rigorous epidemiological methods, but of themselves, they do not provide strong evidence of a hazard. [sciencemediacentre.co.nz]
Barbara Cohn, director of Child Health and Development Studies at the Public Health Institute in Berkeley, California, cited pre-puberty exposure to DDT as a risk for breast cancer in adulthood, using indirect epidemiological evidence. Now, Dr. [pri.org]
Breast Cancer Research Program, the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Development, The National Institute of Environmental Heatlh Sciences, the California Public Health Department, the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology [phi.org]
Prevention
“That’s call preventative medicine,” Skinner said. “We’ve never been able to do preventative medicine in the past because we’ve never had these kinds of biomarkers.” [healthline.com]
"Opening the idea to a very early exposure being something that leads to a ... midlife occurrence is exciting, because maybe we can prevent it," she said. "It would be really nice to prevent it - not just medicate it, not just treat it." [sfgate.com]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Program of Cancer Registries. [phi.org]
In cases of occupational exposure, alert public health authorities to assist in prevention of further exposures in a potentially unsafe work environment. [emedicine.medscape.com]
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention points out levels of DDT and DDE in the blood are about five to ten times lower than they were in 1970s studies. [cbsnews.com]