Unit III Case Study

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Unit III Case Study June A. Warren-Pope Columbia Southern University Advanced Toxicology OSH 5303 Professor Ceceile Flood September 27, 2023

2 Introduction Mr. Jones, his wife Jane, and their 4-year-old daughter Angel live on Jones Farm, a large producer of various fruits, vegetables, and grains. For seven years, Mr. Jones has used an insecticide containing chlorpyrifos on the farm for every crop produced. This insecticide has also been commonly used for pest control within their home. The Jones family regularly eat fresh fruits and vegetables from their farm. The family is experiencing health issues based on their exposure to chlorpyrifos. Both Mr. and Mrs. Jones experience migraines and Mrs. Jones also experiences nausea and vomiting. Angel experiences delayed development, including motor skills development. Chlorpyrifos Chlorpyrifos is an organophosphate insecticide that is considered moderately hazardous to humans (Class II) (World Health Organization, 2019). Moderate exposure to chlorpyrifos can cause neurological effects and developmental disorders. At high doses, chlorpyrifos exposure may lead to acute toxicity. Serious health effects may be caused by acute poisoning or from long-term exposure to low doses. Developmental problems can occur in fetuses and children at very small doses. The acceptable daily dose of chlorpyrifos is 0.3 micrograms/kg/day (U.S. EPA, 2011). However, EPA scientists have found that no level of exposure is safe (Rabin, 2017). Toxic Effects Acute poisoning is caused by interference with the acetylcholine neurotransmission pathway, which leads to neuromuscular symptoms (Eaton et al., 2008). Mild poisoning can cause eye-watering, increased saliva and sweating, nausea, and headaches. Mr. and Mrs. Jones both suffer the neurological effects of migraine headaches due to mild chlorpyrifos poisoning. Greater exposure to the chemical may cause muscle spasms or weakness, vomiting or diarrhea, and impaired vision. Mrs. Jones shows signs of intermediate exposure to chlorpyrifos with nausea and vomiting.

3 According to studies, infants and children are more likely than adults to be affected by low dose exposure (Gibson, 1998). Chlorpyrifos has been shown to harm cognitive functions in the developing brain because infants and children have less ability to detoxify chlorpyrifos and its metabolites. Angel has exhibited symptoms of delayed development, including being slow in potty training, learning colors, making animal sounds, and developing motor skills. Angel could have been exposed to chlorpyrifos in the womb as a fetus, as well as having exposure after she was born. The effects of chlorpyrifos toxicity are different in Mr. Jones, Mrs. Jones and their daughter Angel due to their age differences, their overall health, and the amount of exposure they had to chlorpyrifos. Pathways of Toxicity Chlorpyrifos interferes with signaling from the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the body (Eaton et al., 2008). Chlorpyrifos-oxon, a chlorpyrifos metabolite, permanently binds to the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, which prevents this enzyme from deactivating acetylcholine in the synapse, Chlorpyrifos leads to a build-up of acetylcholine between neurons and a signal to the next neuron. It also may have negative effects on other neurotransmitters, enzymes, and cell signaling pathways, at doses below those that inhibit acetylcholinesterase. Exposure Mechanisms Humans can be exposed to chlorpyrifos by ingestion, inhalation, and absorption (Roberts, 2022). The Jones family members could have been exposed to chlorpyrifos by eating fruits and vegetables with chlorpyrifos residue on them, by drinking water from a well on the farm that could be contaminated with chlorpyrifos, by breathing in chlorpyrifos in the air inside their home and near the crops, and by touching things with chlorpyrifos residue on them in their home or on the farm. Exposure to chlorpyrifos could be avoided by not using the chemical on the farm. If it is used, the Jones could take care not to touch anything with chlorpyrifos residue on it. All fruits and vegetables should be carefully washed before consuming. The chemical should not be used in the house as an

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