US EPA

1398115 

Journal Article 

Macular degeneration associated with chronic pesticide exposure 

Misra, UK; Nag, D; Misra, NK; Krishna Murti, CR 

1982 

CIS/82/01130 

1 

8266 

288 

eng 

64 workers in a malaria control unit sprayed Baytex, Temephos (both organic thiophosphates) and Paris green (copper acetoarsenite) in oil for 5-6h per day without use of protective clothing, face masks or gloves. On examination 14 members of the group, aged 24-42 years with exposure in the range 1-8 years, had macular involvement. Symptoms included visual impairment, dislike of bright light, night blindness, black dots in front of the eyes and blurring of vision. Visual acuity was reduced in 9 subjects. Macular degeneration was characterised by areas of perifoveal depigmentation, dull foveal reflex, and bilaterial lesions. Clinical evaluation did not reveal any known cause for this high-frequency of macular degeneration, and the macular toxicity of the pesticides is suspected as the cause. 

PESTICIDES; ORGANIC THIOPHOSPHATES; ARSENITES; CORNEAL DAMAGE; RETINAL DAMAGE; INSECTICIDES; CROP PROTECTION; DEVELOPING COUNTRIES; LONG-TERM EXPOSURE; OPHTHALMOTOXIC EFFECTS; ILO