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CISDOC database

Document ID (ISN)105392
CIS number 06-916
ISSN - Serial title 0271-3586 - American Journal of Industrial Medicine
Year 2005
Convention or series no.
Author(s) London L., Flisher A.J., Wesseling C., Mergler D., Kromhout H.
Title Suicide and exposure to organophosphate insecticides: Cause or effect?
Bibliographic information Apr. 2005, Vol.47, No.4, p.308-321. Illus. 132 ref.
Abstract A literature review was performed of mortality and morbidity studies related to suicide among pesticide-exposed populations, and of human and animal studies of central nervous system toxicity related to organophosphate (OP) pesticides. Suicide rates are high in farming populations. Animal studies link OP exposure to serotonin disturbances in the central nervous system, a mechanism that is implicated in depression and suicide in humans. Various epidemiological studies conclude that acute and chronic OP exposure is associated with affective disorders. Other studies also support a causal association between OP use and suicide. It is concluded that OPs are not only agents for suicide, but may be part of the causal pathway.
Descriptors (primary) neurotoxic effects; pesticide poisoning; agriculture; pesticides; suicide; organophosphorus compounds
Descriptors (secondary) literature survey; animal experiments; depressive neurosis; case study
Document type D - Periodical articles
Country / State or ProvinceCanada; Costa Rica; Netherlands; South Africa
Subject(s) Agriculture, fishing, animal husbandry
Broad subject area(s) Stress, psychosocial factors
Chemical safety
Browse category(ies) Mental health
Diseases of the nervous system
Agriculture
Agricultural chemicals
Psychological factors