DURSBAN WARNING!
by Barbara J. Andrews

6/2/00 ABC News -  The common pesticide, trade name Dursban causes brain damage. The newscaster cautioned viewers that the risk of exposure is more serious than previously thought.

No kidding! Chlorpyrifos, an organophosphate popularly known as Dursban, is used on many vegetable crops. It is used in homes, lawns and gardens. It's sprayed on turkeys and used as a dip for sheep. It is used in barns and storage bins, and important to dog owners, it is used in flea spray for your dog.

It replaced more dangerous chemicals once used to treat termite infestations but is still "not regarded as safe" when dogs and dog owners can be exposed to on a regular basis. Dursban is injected into the soil, especially under the slab or foundation of your home. The chemical is long-lived, persistent in the ground, (that's how it prevents termite re-infestation for a while) and it clings to plants, which means it can accumulate in certain crops. 

But make no mistake - Dursban is a nerve toxin! It is no new discovery that it causes brain damage. EPA and other agencies have known that for years. Can this be the next example of ignoring substances like tobacco and asbestos? Has the truth about Chlorpyrifos been kept from the public until we finally assembled so much proof and so many damage cases have been won that finally, it hits mainstream media? 

In addition to brain damage, Dursban can cause cholinesterase impairment and/or liver malfunction. Symptoms are usually delayed, beginning one to four weeks after exposure. This makes it much more difficult to pin down, especially in dogs and cats with strange symptoms.  Even if the vet determines there is liver damage, will he relate it to dursban?  Likely not.

Watch your pets after lawn or pesticide treatment. It probably contains Dursban. Watch yourself and don't let children crawl around treated carpets, under the house, or play in an outbuilding which been treated! The risk is not like an allergic reaction wherein some people react and others are not affected. This is a strong toxin and high exposure will lead to physiological damage in pets as well as people.

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