MAFF to study infant exposure to OPs
20 July 2000
MAFF to study infant exposure to OPs
By Donald MacPhail
THE government is to investigate claims that organophosphate (OP) sheep dips can affect children even before they are born.
Ministers announced on Thursday (20 July) that they are funding research into low level exposure to OPs on children, either directly, or in the womb.
Advertisements placed jointly by the ministry of agriculture, the department of health and the health and safety executive invite proposals for research into this and other OP areas.
This was welcomed by Elizabeth Sigmund of the OP Information Network who called for this research at a workshop in March.
Im absolutely delighted at this news which has come about as a result of our pressure and the support of parents whose children have been affected, she said.
For the past three years weve been trying to get the government to listen, so Im very pleased that they now taking this seriously and funding research.
The OP Information Network has a database of 22 cases of children it believes have suffered cognitive or physical damage through exposure to OPs.
Almost all these children come from farming families or have parents who were involved in sheep dip deliveries.
Mrs Sigmund believes the true figure is much higher as many affected children have been diagnosed as suffering from autism and other conditions.
The government is also inviting submissions on investigating the extent and cause of dippers flu, and the effects of low-level exposure to OPs.
And researchers are also asked to consider what mechanisms, other than the major enzyme acetylcholinesterase, play an important role in OP damage.
Applicants are asked to produce an explanation of how these strategic questions will be addressed, including costs, and estimate the chances of producing results.
The most promising submissions will be invited to present more comprehensive research proposals.
Research topics came from the governments advisory Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) and those attending the March workshop.
Junior farm minister Baroness Hayman said the appraisal process would involve scientists who are independent of the government.
A MAFF spokeswoman said the level of funding would depend on the submissions which were received.