Un plaguicida en el franquismo: comunicación de riesgos tóxicos en España, 1945-1975 / A pesticide in Franco's regime: communicating toxic risks in Spain, 1945-1975

Resumen En este trabajo se analizan las representaciones de los riesgos tóxicos del hexaclorociclohexano, un ingrediente activo de plaguicidas de uso común en los campos españoles durante el franquismo. Se hace énfasis en las prácticas que visibilizaron e invisibilizaron dichos riesgos en España entre 1945 y 1975, buscando establecer los actores que las fomentaron y los medios que emplearon. Desde la perspectiva de la agnotología, se analizan los procesos de creación de ignorancia e incertidumbre relacionadas con este compuesto. Asimismo, se examinan las estrategias retóricas utilizadas para abordarlos. Para ello se utilizan tres fuentes primarias principales: la revista de agronomía dirigida a expertos Boletín de patología vegetal y entomología agrícola, la revista dirigida a agricultores Agricultura y el periódico ABC.

Abstract This work analyzes the representations of the toxic risks of hexachlorocyclohexane, an active ingredient of many pesticides commonly used in Spanish fields during Franco's regime. Emphasis is placed on the practices that visibilized and invisibilized these risks, seeking to establish the actors that promoted them and the mechanisms they used. From the perspective of agnotology, I analyze the generation of ignorance and uncertainty related to this compound. Likewise, I examine the most prevalent rhetorical strategies used in print sources. To do so, I consulted three main primary sources: Boletín de patología vegetal y entomología agrícola, an agronomy journal for experts; Agricultura, a magazine for farmers, and ABC, a newspaper.

Percepção de risco dos moradores da Cidade dos Meninos / Risk perception of the residents of the City of Boys

O objetivo desta monografia, tendo como referência as abordagens sobre percepção de riscos, é sistematizar e analisar os resultados das respostas dos moradores da Cidade dos Meninos levantadas através dos questionários aplicados na micro-área 02 da Cidade dos Meninos pela equipe de técnicos da Área de Vigilância do Câncer relacionada ao Trabalho e ao Ambiente do INCA em julho de 2007. Também pretendemos trazer brevemente à consideração através dessa discussão como uma percepção de riscos dos moradores da cidade dos meninos repercute em suas escolhas.

Attenuation of the effect of lindane on immune responses and oxidative stress by Ocimum sanctum seed oil (OSSO) in rats.

Present study was done to evaluate the effect of Ocimum sanctum seed oil (OSSO) on the immunotoxicity and oxidative activity of lindane in rats. Rats were divided into four groups (n = 8) and were treated with lindane (10 mg/kg, po) and/or OSSO (1 mg/kg, po) during the study period. Humoral immunity was assessed by measuring haemagglutination titre to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) was assessed by measuring foot pad thickness. Lindane showed significant decrease in anti-SRBC antibody titre and also decreased percentage change in foot pad thickness in DTH response as compared to control group. OSSO per se produced significant increase in anti-SRBC antibody titre, but did not produce significant change in the foot pad thickness as compared to control group. However, it significantly antagonized the effect of lindane on the anti-SRBC antibody titre and foot pad thickness parameters. Lindane produced oxidative stress as indicated by increase in the levels of MDA and decrease in GSH levels. Treatment with OSSO per se showed antioxidant activity and also reversed the oxidative stress produced by lindane. The results suggest that OSSO can attenuate the immunotoxicity and oxidative stress produced by lindane.

Lindano: efectividad y riesgos: síntesis de evidencia / Lindane: effectiveness and risks: summary of evidence

La presente nota técnica responde a una solicitud del la División de Rectoría y Regulación Sanitaria del Ministerio de Salud, en el marco del proceso de actualización del Formulario Nacional de Medicamentos y la formulación del Reglamento de pesticidas. La solicitud deriva de incertidumbres sobre el balance de efectividad y riesgos del lindano como pediculicida y escabicida, y del eventual impacto medioambiental del producto. Ambos aspectos han sido objeto de debate recientemente en distintas partes del mundo. Este debate abarca no sólo la seguridad del producto, sino también la calidad de las revisiones sistemáticas disponibles, y la importancia del surgimiento de resistencia en la evaluación de la efectividad de los preparados existentes.

Remediação de solos contaminados com hexaclorociclohexano através da utilização do dióxido de titânio: estudo na cidade dos meninos / Remediation of a soil contaminated with hexaclorociclohexano was evaluated using of the dioxide of titanium: study in the Cidade dos Meninos

A remediação de solos contaminados com os isômeros a, b, g e d-hexaclorociclohexano (HCH) através da utilização da fotocatálise heterogênea foi avaliada neste estudo. Os experimentos para avaliação da aplicabilidade do catalisador TiO2 como agente para a degradação dos isômeros a, b, g e d-HCH no solo foram realizados em placas de Petri contendo 50,0 g de solo referência, proveniente da Floresta da Tijuca, contaminado artificialmente com 10 mg/Kg de cada isômero de HCH estudado. A eficiência da fotodegradação após 66 h de exposição à radiação aumentou com o aumento da concentração de TiO2 e com a adição de H2O a 10 por cento (m/m). Os experimentos para avaliação da fotocatálise na descontaminação de solo proveniente da Cidade dos Meninos foram realizados em placas de Petri contendo 50,0 g de solo da área (foco) da Cidade dos Meninos. Os resultados diferem dos obtidos com o solo referência, pois houve um decréscimo nas concentrações dos isômeros a e g-HCH, porém houve um acréscimo nas concentrações dos isômeros b e d-HCH de até quatro vezes a concentração inicial, seguida de uma diminuição nestas concentrações, o que indica a formação destes dois isômeros a partir dos demais e de outros compostos presentes no solo da Cidade dos Meninos. Devido ao fato do solo da Cidade dos Meninos estar contaminado com uma série de outros compostos, também foi avaliado o desempenho da fotocatálise frente aos compostos HCB, Heptacloro, Aldrin, Dieldrin, p,p’-DDE, pp’-DDD, p,p’-DDT e Mirex. As concentrações finais de HCB, Aldrin, Dieldrin, p,p’-DDE, pp’-DDD e p,p’-DDT sofrem redução em relação às concentrações iniciais. Os compostos Heptacloro e Mirex sofrem inicialmente aumento em suas concentrações e depois apresentam um decréscimo das mesmas, porém apresentando concentrações finais mais elevadas que suas concentrações iniciais. Possivelmente, caso a reação não fosse interrompida estes dois compostos continuariam a sofrer o processo de degradação e teriam suas concentrações fi...

Acute toxicity evaluation of copper, arsenic and HCH to paddy field crab, Paratelphusa hydrodromus (Herb.).

Routine static tests were conducted for determining the median lethal tolerance limit of paddy field crab, Paratelphusa hydrodromus exposed to Copper, Arsenic and HCH at different time intervals of 24, 48, 72 and 96 hour. The LC50 values for Copper came to be 28.00, 22.00, 18.20 and 15.70 ppm; Arsenic 136.00, 128.00, 121.500 and 114.00 ppm and HCH 10.00, 8.80, 7.00 and 6.00 ppm, respectively. The safe concentration, application factor and safe application rate were also calculated. They were for, Copper: 5.56, 1.59 and 3.26 ppm, Arsenic: 38.53, 11.40 and 76.00 and HCH : 4.07, 0.06 and 1.28 ppm. Animals exposed to different concentrations of test chemicals (Copper, Arsenic and HCH) showed prominent behavioural/morphological alterations viz., coughing, redness on the ventral side, paralysis and disorientation in scaphognathite activity. Animals exposed to high concentrations showed an avoidance behaviour by keeping away from the direct contact with the toxic solution either by climbing on the wall of aquarium or by mounting over the weak individual and forming a type of pyramid.

Age related effects of organochlorine insecticide lindane on intestinal brush border membrane in rats.

The effect of oral administration of lindane (gamma-HCH) has been studied on the intestine in 10-day, 20-day and 100-day old rats. In 10 day-old suckling pups exposed to lindane, there was a significant decrease in the activities of sucrase (29%), lactase (20%) and that of alkaline phosphatase (24%) compared to control. Sialic acid content of the brush borders was significantly decreased (29%) in 10-day old as well as in 20- and 100-day old rats (20 and 25% respectively), while fucose content of the membranes was significantly enhanced in all the age groups upon pesticide treatment. Among the brush border lipids, cholesterol content was significantly increased in all the age groups studied, the maximum increase of 35% being observed in 10-day-old rats. Membrane phospholipids were also increased in 20- and 100-day old animals (22% each) on lindane exposure. The present studies indicated that brush border membranes of suckling rat intestine were more susceptible to pesticide induced changes compared to older animals.

Hepatoprotective and antioxidant property of Andrographis paniculata (Nees) in BHC induced liver damage in mice.

Andrographis paniculata (AP) treatment prevents BHC induced increase in the activities of enzymes y-Glutamyl transpeptidase, glutathione-S-transferase and lipid peroxidation. The activities of antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and the levels of glutathione were decreased following BHC effect. Administration of AP showed protective effects in the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase as well the level of glutathione. The activity of lipid peroxidase was also decreased. The result indicate antioxidant and hepatoprotective action of A. paniculata.

Estresse oxidativo hepático por lindano como parâmetro de avaliação toxicológica: estudo comparativo entre duas linhagens de camundongos / Hepatic oxidative stress by lindane as toxicologic evaluation parameter: comparative study between two lines of rats

O conhecimento dos efeitos tóxicos constitui o ponto de partida para a avaliação do risco de uso de xenobióticos. A partir deste conhecimento deve-se estabelecer um efeito crítico para a definição dos níveis de não efeito observado que são empregados para a extrapolação dos resultados obtidos em animais para o homem. Este efeito deve apresentar uma relação dose-resposta definida, bem como ser reprodutível em amis de uma espécie animal. Para os praguicidas organoclorados o efeito crítico proposto tem sido a indução do citocromo P450 hepático. O lindano quando administrado a ratos induz um aumento nos níveis de citocromo P450 hepático associado ao aumento dos níveis de lipoperoxidação conseqüente ao aumento da geração de radical ânion superóxido pelo retículo endoplasmático...

Organochlorine pesticide-induced oxidative stress and immune suppression in rats.

Effects of subchronic DDT and lindane exposure were evaluated on lipid peroxidation, antioxidant mechanisms and humoral immune response in rats. Oral administration of DDT, (100 and 200 ppm) and lindane (40 and 80 ppm) dose dependently increased thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) levels in serum after 8 wk of treatment. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in red blood cells (RBC) was also dose dependently increased by these compounds. In addition, such DDT or lindane exposure markedly suppressed the humoral immune response as assessed by anti-sheep RBC antibody titres. Simultaneous treatment with ascorbic acid (100 mg/kg) markedly attenuated the effects of DDT and lindane on (a) lipid peroxidation, (b) SOD activity and (c) humoral immune suppression. These results indicate the possible involvement of free radicals in organochlorine-induced immunotoxicity.

Influence of subchronic exposure to lindane on humoral immunity in mice.

Lindane suppressed both primary and secondary antibody responses to sheep red blood cell (SRBC) in albino mice, the effects being more pronounced on the secondary than the primary response. However, a longer duration of pesticide exposure induced similar degrees of immunosuppression on both responses. The sequential study of plaque forming cells (PFC) kinetics revealed that suppression of plaque formation not only occurred at peak days but also on pre and post peak days, and there was no delay in peak antibody formation. Moreover, reduction in the primary PFC was not associated with decrease in the antibody response to SRBC. The results indicate that lindane suppresses both primary and secondary humoral immune responses in a time and dose dependent manner, and suggest a threshold susceptibility to exposure.

Hexachlorocyclohexane-induced changes in lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities and glutathione content in chick liver.

An elevation in the level of lipid peroxides in nuclear, mitochondrial and microsomal fractions of chick liver was recorded 6 hr after hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH; 50 mg/kg body wt., ip) treatment. The magnitude of increase remained more or less same even 24 hr after the pesticide treatment. Total glutathione content also increased by 6 hr of HCH treatment and did not change even 24 hr after the pesticide treatment. Protein content of crude homogenate and 10000 g supernatant decreased significantly 6 hr after the pesticide treatment. The magnitude of decrease was more or less same even 24 hr after the pesticide treatment. Although cytoplasmic superoxide dismutase and catalase activities (expressed as units/mg protein) did not change 24 hr after HCH treatment, a small but significant increase in superoxide dismutase activity was recorded 6 hr after HCH treatment. On the other hand when activities were expressed as units/mg tissue wt., a significant decrease in the activities of both the enzymes was recorded 6 and 24 hr after HCH treatment. Therefore, the decrease in the activities of both the enzymes in response to HCH in chick liver may be due to decrease in tissue protein content in general rather than specific decrease in the activities of the enzymes.

Indicadores biológicos de exposiçäo aos praguicidas / Biological parameters of pesticides exposures

Säo apresentados os principais indicadores biológicos de exposiçäo, valores de referência e limites de tolerância biológicos dos seguintes praguicidas: compostos organofosforados, compostos carbamatos, compostos ciclodienos, lindano, DDT, pentaclorofenol, 2,4-D, dinitro-o-cresol e compostos etileno-bis-ditiocarbamatos

Impact of protein deficiency and exposure to hexachlorocyclohexane or malathion on lipid metabolism in pregnant rats.

Dietary intake of three oral doses of hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) (60 mg/kg body wt) or malathion (500 mg/kg) by normal and protein-deficient diet fed pregnant rats on the 6th, 10th and 14th day of gestation resulted in the impairment of lipid metabolism, viz. hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia. The cholesterol, triglyceride and phospholipid contents in serum, brain, liver, kidney and uterus were increased significantly by HCH and malathion exposure, irrespective of the protein content in the diet. The incorporation of [1,2-14C]acetate into the hepatic lipids was stimulated by both HCH and malathion, suggesting a higher rate of lipid synthesis in the liver of normal and protein-deficient diet fed dams. The low protein content in the diet intensified the pesticide-induced changes and more severe alterations were noticed in HCH exposed dams than in malathion exposed dams.

Estudios sobre la seguridad en el uso del pote fumígeno insecticida CIPEIN PF-5 / Investigation on the security in the use of the fumigant canister insecticide CIPEIN PF-5

El CIPEIN PF-5 es una formulación insecticida experimental, especialmente desarrollada para el control químico de los vectores del Mal de Chagas. Su composición consiste en una mezcla fumígena (90.9%w/w) y tres principios activos: lindano (4%), diclhorvos (5%) y deltametrina (0.1%). Este pote fumígeno insecticida, demostró una excelente selectividad contra insectos. En tres especies de animales vertebrados diferentes no se detectaron síntomas de intoxicación ni inhibición de la acetilcolinesterasa, después de haber sido expuestos durante 2 horas a los humos insecticidas liberados por dos potes fumígenos, en un galpón de 264 metros cúbicos. Esta concentración ambiental de principios de principios activos fue suficiente para matar al 100%de los insectos expuestos (vinchucas, moscas y cucarachas). Los residuos de insecticidas en las superficies del galpón experimental resultaron entre 0.24-0.54 *g/cm* y después de 15 días no fueron detectables. Luego de 15 min. de ventilación del ambiente, la concentración de insecticida en el aire no fue detectable (< 0.1ppm). Los residuos de insecticidas superficiales, sobre los operarios fumigadores, son menores que 0.003 *g/cm*. El residuo carbonoso de los potes fumígenos combustionados presentó sólo un resto de lindano de 0.64%. El resultado del monitoreo bioquímico y clínico, de las personas expuestas laboralmente al CIPEIN PF-5, no mostró diferencias significativas con personas no expuestas. La presente evaluación toxicológica del pote fumígeno sugiere que se trata de un formulado selectivo contra las vinchucas y otros insectos, y lo suficientemente seguro bajo condiciones de uso normales, para el hombre y otros vertebrados

BHC induced testicular impairments in rats.

Benzene hexachloride (BHC) was fed to mature male rats weighing 160 g at dosages of 3 and 6 mg/kg body weight over a period of 180 days. Significant decrease in testicular weight and degeneration of seminiferous tubules with deformed spermatogenic cells were noted at a dose of 6 mg/kg BHC. Marked increase in BHC residue in testis revealed that the drug was able to cross blood-testis barrier.

Plaguicidas organoclorados / Chlorinated organic pesticides

A utilizaçäo, a cerca de 40 anos, dos praguicidas organoclorados para o controle de vetores transmissores de enfermidades do homem e para o desenvolvimento da agricultura, tem ocasionado sérios problemas de contaminaçäo ambiental, com efeitos adversos para a saúde. Este manual pretende proporcionar informaçäo básica sobre os praguicidas organoclorados e seus efeitos sobre a saúde, fornecendo elementos técnicos mais adequados e úteis para as autoridades sanitárias e equipes de saúde que estäo interessadas em desenvolver um sistema de vigilância,prevençäo e controle das intoxicaçöes. Inclue histórico, evoluçäo mundial do uso, propriedades mais importantes, estrutura química, comportamento no ambiente, principais usos e efeitos adversos sobre as diversas formas de vida,características toxicológicas e medidas de prevençäo e controle

Biochemical toxicity of hexachlorocyclohexane and its gamma-isomer in albino mice.

Dietary hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and gamma-isomer of HCH produced significant increase in liver weights of mice. Elevated levels of alanine and aspartate aminotransferases and of alkaline phosphatase in the blood of these animals suggested hepatotoxicity. Hepatic soluble enzymes--aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase--were markedly lowered. Among the hepatic lysosomal enzymes, acid phosphatase and acid cathepsin were increased in the experimental animals. Hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase was lowered by HCH while aldolase activity was increased. Hydrolytic enzymes in small intestine, viz., disaccharidases, lipase, amylase, dipeptidase and phosphatases, were also affected by dietary HCH and gamma-HCH. The results suggested cellular toxicity in hepatocytes of HCH and gamma-HCH fed animals, and also interference in gastrointestinal absorption.