For years, malthion was used as a dip
solution and as a spray for mosquito control. The handlers had to guide (usually
drag and push) the dog
into a dip tank. The tanks was deep enough for the dog to swim in. The only protection was an ointment applied to the
dog's eyes. Usually another handler assisted by hooking a second leash onto
the dog's choke chain and the dog was dragged into the dip tank. The
second leash ensured that the dog did not avoid the smelly dip solution.
Whoever handled the second leash was also guaranteed to be drenched by the
numerous showers.
As soon as the dogs was out of the tank, they always did what
all wet dogs do. A shaking dog can sling liquid a surprising
distance. Handlers always ended up getting as wet as their dogs. Supervisors
often worked the second leash getting multiple baths. Handlers always had
some delay before showing and changing clothes.
Dipping dog with Malathion.
Malathion exposure should concern all handlers who
were in tropical climates if they dipped dogs on a regular basis.
Dogs at Clark AB, Republic of the Philippines, were dipped every two
weeks. With our youthful enthusiastic outlook on life, we never knew of
the risk. At Clark AB, being thrown in the dip tank on your last working day
was a part of the K-9 ritual. Handlers were then handcuffed to the kennels
fence and hosed downed as a last parting shot from fellow handlers!
At the dog school at Lackland AFB, TX, every class was dipped at
least once during tick season. I have been told that the use of malthion
was phased out on the early 80's.
Roger Marion's message prompted a survey e-mail that was sent to
over 200 former Clark handlers on 20 August 2002. In less than 24 hours we had
over 7 replies. They all suffer from weakness & loss of feeling
in their legs or arms. Another handler is on chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin's
lymphoma.
"Malathion is a cholinesterase
blocking agent. Cholinesterase is one of the most important enzymes needed
for the proper functioning of the nervous systems of humans, other
vertebrates and insects. All muscles are directed to move via the nerve
impulses. If there is impairment of this system, the muscle can continue
to move uncontrollably. Repeated and unchecked firing of electrical
signals can cause uncontrolled, rapid twitching of muscles, paralyzed
breathing, cardiac irregularities, convulsions and even death. Pain due to
excessive contraction is among the first symptoms. Malathion is rapidly
and effectively absorbed by practically all routes including the skin,
mouth, eyes, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract. Malathion exposure impairs
the human nervous system, can cause permanent neurological damage and
causes temporary impotence in males when poisoned."
"Agents Orange and Blue that
were used in Vietnam to defoliate jungle cover are also organophosphorus
compounds. The Vietnam vets and the Vietnamese people know about them
firsthand. Government experts who okayed their use and chemical companies
that manufactured them have finally owned up to their toxic effects on
people and the environment. Nonetheless, present-day experts in academia
and government continue to bamboozle the public with stories of
"safe" science and cheap food through the use of poisons."
The medical research
below was located from the University of Florida and University of South
Florida Medical Libraries. As can be seen clearly from the research
(below links), contrary to what the public is being told by the
Agriculture Industry and some governmental agencies, scientists are
stating that Malathion (even at low levels) is in fact, a harmful
chemical.
NEW INFORMATION
VA Decision on Malathion Exposure: The
evidence of record favors a finding that the Veteran's Parkinson's disease
is causally related to the Veteran's in-service chemical exposures.
http://www.va.gov/vetapp13/Files2/1310998.txt
VA Rules on Malathion Exposure Cases: Diseases Associated With Exposure to Certain Herbicide Agents
(Hairy Cell Leukemia and Other Chronic B-Cell Leukemias, Parkinson's Disease and Ischemic Heart Disease)
https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2010-08-31/html/2010-21556.htm
VA Decision on Malathion Exposure:
Entitlement to service connection for psoriatic arthritis of multiple
joints, as due to in-service herbicide exposure and malathion exposure.
https://www.va.gov/vetapp10/files6/1047932.txt
MALATHION RESEARCH UPDATE
by
Dr. Wayne Sinclair, M.D. Asthma, Allergy & Immunology Vero Beach, FL
and Richard W. Pressinger, M.Ed., Tampa, FL
Princeton University : "In
humans, symptoms of acute (short-time) exposure to malathion may include
the following: headache, dizziness, nausea, abdominal cramps, blurred
vision, muscle twitching, respiratory depression, and slow heartbeat. If
exposure to Malathion occurs in very high doses it may result in
unconsciousness, convulsions or even death. Long-term exposure may result
in damage to the nerves leading to poor coordination in arms and legs.
Malathion affects the central nervous system, immune system, adrenal
glands, liver, and blood"
PBS Story on Chemical Dangers. http://www.pbs.org/tradesecrets/
Veterans and
Agent Orange: Health Effects of
Herbicides Used in Vietnam
(1994)
Institute of Medicine
"It was was reported
that 44 percent of the land area of Southeast Asia (primarily South Vietnam)
was sprayed with Malathion (Welting, 19841.
Herbicide Formulations Each sortie could cover about 15,000 acres.
They were commonly spotted over allied camps, spraying malathion and DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane). The insecticide delivery planes
were not camouflaged like the other Ranch Hand Aircraft."
Lindane is another chemical that was
reported to be used on military working dogs as a dip solution. Lindane is
an organo-chlorinated pesticide in the same chemical family as DDT. It has
been listed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a Persistent,
Bioaccumulative and Toxic Chemical, meaning that it lingers for a long
period in the environment, moves up the food chain, and is toxic to humans
and wildlife.
http://www.pan-uk.org/pestnews/Actives/Lindane.htm
Dipping dog with Malathion.
Chemical
Exposure Bulletin Board |
