HEALTH EFFECTS OF PESTICIDES ON A BANANA PLANTATION

COMMUNITY

Report of the Medical Team

International Fact-finding Mission to Kamukhaan
February 25, 2003 Digos, Davao del Sur, Philippines

By

Gene Alzona Nisperos, M.D., Rodney Hernandez, M.D., and Pamela Claveria M.D.

I. INTRODUCTION

There is a growing global concern regarding the harmful effects of pesticides on health
and the environment. Research studies conducted internationally document cases of
poisoning, sickness and death in countries that are using or are exposed to high levels of
pesticides.(ref)1 In the Philippines, NGO groups collaborate with local community
organizations in conducting grassroots monitoring of pesticide practices and exposure
among farmers, agricultural workers, and families living in these rural communities.

Kamukhaan is one of many small villages located adjacent to a banana plantation in

Davao del Sur, a province in the southern island of Mindanao. The village has an
estimated population of 120 families whose main sources of livelihood are farming and
fishing.

Kamukhaan was once a mangrove rich in natural and food resources. However, in the
early 1980’s, Lapanday Development Corporation (LADECO) established a banana
plantation adjacent to the village of Kamukhaan. Lapanday is a group of banana
plantations that sells fruit ex-farm gate and packed for multinational brands Del Monte
and Chiquita. Lapanday is the largest Filipino owned company that sells agricultural
products, mainly bananas, in the global market and accounts for 33% of the total banana
exports from the Philippines. The company also produces pineapples, mangoes, seafood,
and processed fruits and supplies these to Japan, China, Korea, Singapore, New Zealand,
and the Middle East.(ref)2

Since the establishment of the plantation, villagers from Kamukhaan claimed to have
experienced various illnesses and changes in their environment. Cases of suspected
pesticide poisoning on humans, animals, and vegetation became a common occurrence.
As a result of a field visit during an international conference on pesticides in the
adjoining province, the local organization asked for assistance from the Pesticide Action
Network-Asia and the Pacific (PAN-AP) to investigate the condition of the community.
(ref)3

A team led by Dr. Romeo Quijano then conducted a series of investigative visits on the
possible effects of pesticides on human health and the environment in Kamukhaan

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Village. The results showed that a significant number of villagers who were interviewed
and examined had illnesses and symptoms that were likely associated with pesticide
exposure and poisoning.(ref)4

Out of these findings, a paper was produced providing a snapshot view of the health and
environmental conditions of the community. The paper, including a set of photo-
documentation materials, was presented and exhibited in various fora. Local publication
of this paper, however, elicited a libel suit from LADECO against the authors, Dr. Romeo
Quijano and his daughter/co-author Ilang-Ilang. The editors and publishers of the article
were also included in the libel suit.(ref)5

The libel suit has alarmed both local and international organizations actively involved in
health and environment issues since this was perceived as a violation of the fundamental
right of expression and the right to health and a healthy environment. To ascertain the
findings of Dr. Quijano and to get “on the ground” information about the health,
environment, and attendant social conditions of Kamukhaan, a team composed of local
and international organizations conducted a fact-finding mission on February 25, 2003.

II. OBJECTIVES

A. To get “on the ground” information about the health, environmental, and
social conditions in the village of Kamukhaan;
B. To determine the effects of the activities of the adjacent banana plantation
(LADECO), particularly the use of pesticides, on the health, environmental,
and social conditions of the people of Kamukhaan;
C. To investigate the reasons cited by the banana plantation company
(LADECO) in filing a suit for civil damages against Dr. Romeo Quijano and
his daughter, Ilang-Ilang; and
D. To communicate to the general public the situation in Kamukhaan in order to
help generate support for the community.

III. METHODOLOGY

The fact-finding mission was conducted in the village of Kamukhaan in the province of
Davao Del Sur in Mindanao. Prior to the actual conduct of the mission, the National
Peasant Movement, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), along with
representatives from different local and international organizations, including the
Environment and Health Fund (U.S.), the Institute of Paralegal Studies (India), the
National Poison Control Center (U.P. Manila), Health Alliance for Democracy (HEAD),
the Institute for Occupational Health and Safety Development (IOHSAD), the Center for
Environmental Concerns (CEC), Science for the People (AGHAM), and Health Services
for Community Development (HEALTH-Bukidnon) conducted a series of consultations
and focus group discussions with the local people’s organization, NAMANGKA, and
among the community leaders of Kamukhaan. There were also volunteers from
University of the Philippines-Diliman, St. Scholasticas College, the Rural Missionaries of
the Philippines, and local organizations.

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Three teams were formed for the mission: the Medical, Environmental, and Social
Teams. Each team developed its own questionnaire and independently conducted their
respective investigations in the community. The medical team, composed of physicians
from the Institute for Occupational Health and Safety Development, the Health Alliance
for Democracy, and HEALTH-Bukidnon, conducted the medical investigation. This was
a two-stage process: obtaining the medical/clinical history from the patients/subjects first,
and then performing a complete physical examination, including neurologic examination
when needed. All of the patients/subjects voluntarily submitted themselves to this
process.

Despite harassments and attempts to prevent the conduct of the mission by the plantation
personnel, para-military groups, and even the local police, the medical and the other
teams were able to perform their tasks. An initial medical report was made and presented
to the public by the medical team immediately after the conduct of the mission, together
with the reports from the environmental and social teams. Subsequently, the medical data
were also reviewed and further stratified in Manila by IOHSAD, AGHAM, and KMP.

IV. RESULTS

A. Personal Data:

There were one hundred and thirty six (136) patients/respondents, all of whom reside in
or within the vicinity of Kamukhaan Village. Of the total number of people seen and
examined, one hundred fourteen (114) were adults while twenty-two (22) were children.
Among the adults, there were ninety-one (91) female and twenty-three (23) male
respondents. Among the children, there were sixteen (16) females and six (6) males.
Majority (77.9%) of the adult respondents were married. There were 5 who were single, 3
widowers, and 1 separated.

The average age of the respondents is 32 years. The median age for the male respondents
is 37 years, while the median age for the female respondents is 31 years. The oldest
female respondent is 81 years and the oldest male respondent is 76 years

B. Employment Background:

Of the 91 female respondents, four (4) worked as vendors while the rest were plain
housewives. Forty-two (42) were married to LADECO plantation workers. Of these
plantation workers, nineteen (19) were laborers, nine (9) were field personnel, seven (7)
were harvesters, five (5) worked at the fishpond, and two (2) worked as delivery
personnel.

Of the 23 male respondents, fourteen (14) worked for the LADECO plantation, five (5)
were farmers, and four (4) were fishermen. Of the14 plantation workers, seven (7)
worked as laborers, three (3) worked as harvesters, three (3) worked at the fishpond, and
one (1) worked as field personnel.

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C. Work Description:

All of the respondents live and work in or within the vicinity of the banana plantation. 13
out of 14 who worked for the banana plantation were hired as casuals but their work
included mixing and spraying pesticides, putting fertilizers, and essentially maintaining
the field. The harvesters are called upon during the harvest season to collect and store the
bananas. Fishpond workers worked on the fishpond located within the vicinity of the
plantation. The field personnel were responsible for the maintenance of canals in the
plantation, which serve as a drainage system for the plantation.

D. Hazard orientation and Safety precautions:

Of the respondent workers from the banana plantation, 12 out of 14 have not received any
training or orientation regarding the use and effects of pesticides, including possible work
hazards. 8 out of the 14 respondents said that they were not provided adequate safety/
protective suits, equipment, tools, or materials.

E. Availability of medical services

Of the 114 adult respondents, only thirty-nine (39) were able to avail of local medical
services. Of these, twelve (12) consulted the village health center, four (4) consulted the
plantation clinic, seven (7) consulted private medical services, two (2) availed of services
during medical missions, and fourteen (14) did not specify.

Of the 22 child patients, only five (5) were able to avail of local medical services. Of
these, two (2) consulted the village health center, one (1) consulted a private medical
service, and two (2) did not specify.

Aside from the previous study conducted by Dr. Quijano, there was no other community
monitoring activity regarding the possible effects of pesticide to human health in
Kamukhaan.

F. Pesticide Exposure:

The Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority of the Department of Agriculture provided a list of
registered pesticides used by the Lapanday Agricultural and Development Corporation
for the control of pests, weeds and diseases in their banana plantation. The list included:

BRAND NAME Active Ingredient

1. BASTA 20 SL (Glufosinate)
2. BASUDIN EC (Diazinon)
3. BAYCOR 300 EC (Bitertanol)
4. CALIXIN 75 EC (Tridemorph)
5. DECIS EC (Deltamethrin)

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 6. GRAMOXONE (Paraquat)
7. ROUND UP EW (Glyphosate)
8. TILT 250 EC (Propiconazole)
9. DIURON 80 WP (Diuron)
10. CONFIDOR 100 SL (Imidacloprid)
11. GESAPAX (Ametryne)
12. ROVRAL 50 WP (Iprodione)
13. AGRI-MEK 1.8 EC (Avermectin)
14. INDAR 2F (Fenbuconazole)
15. VONDOZEB (Mancozeb)
16. FURADAN (Carbofuran)
17. BUMPER 25 EC (Propiconazole)
18. DACONIL (Chlorothalonil)
19. BANKIT 25 EC (Azoxystrobin)
20. DITHANE F 448 (Mancozeb)
21. TOPSIN M 70 WP (Thiophanate methyl)

The respondent workers were asked to estimate the number of hours of their actual
exposure to pesticides but they could not give estimates of their exposure.

The respondent villagers, on the other hand, were asked if they were aware of the
presence of pesticides but they were also not able to give clear answers. The only
estimate that they can give is that an airplane sprays pesticides in the plantation twice or
thrice every week. (Note: It was observed that the respondents seemed reluctant to reveal
facts that they believe may directly put the plantation in a bad light. Subsequent inquiries
form local groups revealed that plantation personnel went to the community the day
before the mission and told residents not to say anything bad about the plantation).

G. Medical Data:

Of the 136 respondents, the following were the complaints mentioned:

Complaint No. of Patients Percentage

Severe headache 76 55.8%

Back pain 67 49.2%
Easy fatigability 63 46.3%
Abdominal pain 63 46.3%
Weight loss 63 46.3%
Chest pain 58 42.6%
Difficulty of breathing 55 40.4%
Muscular weakness 51 37.5%
Cough 49 36.0%
Blurred Vision 43 31.6%
Irritability 36 26.4%
Skin lesions/ irritation 32 23.5%

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Nausea 31 22.7%
Tremors 31 22.7%
Diarrhea 28 20.5%
Swelling of joints 27 19.8%
Palpitations 22 16.1%
Pallor 21 15.4%
Vomiting 19 13.9%
Fever 19 13.9%
Loss of appetite 18 13.2%
Hair changes 16 11.7%
Heat intolerance 15 11.0%
Giddiness 9 8.0%
Pelvic pain 9 8.0%
Yellowish skin 8 5.8%
Nose bleeding 3 2.2%

The physicians of the medical team correlated these complaints with history and physical
examination and came out with the following working diagnoses:

Working Diagnoses Number of Patients Per cent

Upper Respiratory Tract Infections 49 36.0%

Pulmonary Tuberculosis 28 20.5%
Endocrine/neurologic dysfunction 19 13.9%
Pneumonias 16 11.8%
Gastroenteritis 14 10.2%
Arthritis 13 9.5%
Anemia 10 7.3%
Malnutrition 8 5.8%
Skin diseases 8 5.8%
Intestinal Parasitism 6 4.4%
Asthma 6 4.4%
Hypertension 6 4.4%
Blood Dyscrasia 3 2.2%
Gastritis 2 1.4%

V. DISCUSSION

Given the limitation of time and resources, the medical team relied mainly on history and
physical examination to arrive at a diagnosis. Still, all of the participating physicians
independently showed almost similar patterns in their diagnostic conclusions. The results
reveal that there is an exceptional situation in Kamukhaan that reflects in the trends and
incidences of various illnesses there.

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Many of the complaints were gastrointestinal and respiratory in nature. Majority of the
diagnoses were communicable diseases. A number of patients were also diagnosed as
having significant malnutrition. While on the surface these illnesses appear to be typical
of a Filipino rural community, the exceptionally high number of cases of communicable
diseases as well as patterns of non-communicable diseases (i.e. endocrine/neurologic
dysfunction) was unusual.

Some atypical patterns were also observed among the 136 respondents. First, 19 patients
(13.9%) were given a working diagnosis of endocrine/neurologic dysfunction manifested
by a compendium of symptoms including severe headache, easy fatiguability, difficulty
breathing, irritability, tremors, heat intolerance, and muscular weakness. This spectrum of
symptoms falls within the effects of pesticide poisoning.

Moreover, the number of suspected blood-related diseases such as dyscrasias and anemia,
while small and unconfirmed by laboratory examination, is relatively significant given
the density of occurrence in a community with a population of only about 700
individuals. The findings of anemia are also significant since 6 (60%) of the 10 patients
who showed symptoms of anemia are male of a relatively young age.

The majority of the respondents indicated various signs and symptoms that are frequently
associated with acute pesticide poisoning. The actual incidence of serious illnesses
occurring in Kamukhaan is most likely greater than what has been captured by this study
since the cases of mortality were not covered and the long-term effects, such as cancer
and other debilitating illnesses, have not been fully accounted for among those who are
still living. It would take lifetime monitoring to capture the real incidence of the long-
term effects of exposure to the pesticides used by the plantation.

That the respondents could not directly attribute illnesses to pesticide exposure does not
negate the strong evidence of poisoning. Rather, this reflects the general lack of even the
most basic information regarding pesticides that these families could have used to
safeguard their health. What is certain is that many of these illnesses came with the
advent of exposure to various kinds of pesticides that was brought about by the
establishment of the banana plantation. Considering the criteria. (ref)6for determining the
association between pesticide exposure and disease occurrence, there is a strong
indication that the exposure to various pesticides largely account for the diseases
observed among the residents of Kamukhaan.

Previous studies on the health effects of pesticides done by local scientists and related
studies worldwide, show that increased pesticide exposure correlates with increased
incidence of various types of diseases. (ref)7 Furthermore, available animal studies clearly
demonstrate that the pesticides used by the banana plantation cause different organ
system abnormalities including, among others, brain and neurologic disorders, immune
system dysfunction, reproductive disorders, congenital abnormalities, liver and kidney
diseases, blood disorders, and cancer.(ref)8 There is also sufficient knowledge about the
toxicity of these pesticides and there is strong biological plausibility that the illnesses
observed are the consequences of exposure to such pesticides. The intrinsic hazardous

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character, the clear temporal relationship, and the empirical evidence, including
testimonial and physical evidence, show that pesticide exposure is a very strong causative
factor of the high occurrence of diseases among residents of Kamukhaan village. The
presence of confounding variables, such as malnutrition and even genetic predisposition,
constitute a very small contribution to the causative factors.

The list of pesticides used by the plantation is already, by itself, a strong indication that
the people of Kamukhaan are subjected to an exceptionally high level of agrochemical
toxins. The pesticides used include highly toxic pesticides already documented to have
severely harmful effects on animal and human health and have been banned or severely
restricted in other countries, including the very countries where they originated. A
cursory look at existing scientific information on some of the pesticides used in the
plantation is enough to convince any rational human being that he/she would not want to
be subjected to exposure to such pesticides as what the residents of Kamukhaan are being
subjected to.

1. Paraquat (GRAMOXONE)

Paraquat is a known highly toxic pesticide without an antidote, and has caused
severe poisonings in exposed populations, especially in workers who use it. Non-
worker populations are also at risk for exposure and health effects, in particular
children. High rates of severe acute poisonings, both suicidal and unintentional,
have been documented in many countries.(ref)9 Paraquat poisoning clearly
remains a severe public health problem in many countries. In addition, topical
injuries, including skin problems ranging from mild dermatitis up to severe
chemical burns, eye injury, nail damage, and nosebleed, have been observed in
proportions as high as 50% of exposed workers in both early and recent surveys.
(ref)10 Long-term and delayed health effects may occur, including Parkinson’s
Disease, lung effects, and skin cancer.(ref)11 Regulatory agencies have not fully
recognized either the inherent toxicity of paraquat for human beings or the
particular risks derived from conditions of use in developing countries. Concerns
over impacts of paraquat have been growing across the world.

In fact, such has been the concern over paraquat that six European governments-
namely Austria, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Slovenia, and Sweden-have enacted
bans and restrictions on paraquat. The bans were primarily due to acute toxicity,
absence of antidote, health and environmental concerns. Paraquat is banned even
in its country of origin, Switzerland, the headquarters of Syngenta, the
manufacturer of paraquat. In other countries strict severe restrictions and
guidelines are applied. In Norway, the government decided in 1993 not to accept
an application for the renewed registration of a paraquat product due to its
toxicity. Kuwait and Malaysia have banned paraquat while Indonesia, Korea
(Republic) and Togo have enacted restrictions on its use. (ref)12 In the Philippines,
paraquat has been restricted for institutional use only since 1989 (Recently,
however, this restriction has been lifted arbitrarily by the Director of the Pesticide
Authority who is now the subject of a formal complaint for graft).

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2 & 3. Mancozeb and Maneb (DITHANE, VONDOZEB)

Mancozeb and maneb are similar fungicides belonging to the ethylene bis-
thiocarbamate (EBDC) group of pesticides which are converted into ethylene
thiourea (ETU), a known cancer causing chemical. Mancozeb and similar EBDCs
are categorized by U.S. EPA as probable human carcinogens, (ref)13meaning that
there is sufficient documentation of the carcinogenic potential in animal studies.
Although mancozeb and maneb are not considered highly toxic in acute exposure,
EPA proposed to cancel most uses of mancozeb and similar EDBC pesticides in
1989 due to unacceptably high cancer risks. EPA reversed its decision in
1992(ref)14 even though a National Toxicology Program study yielded clear
evidence of the carcinogenicity of mancozeb's breakdown product, ETU.(ref)15

Mancozeb is listed as a cancer-causing chemical by California's Office of

Environmental Health Hazard Assessment under Proposition 65. (ref)16 The major
toxicological concern from exposure to mancozeb is the hazard to the human
thyroid from the presence of ethylenethiourea (ETU), a contaminant, degradation
product, and metabolite present in mancozeb and other EDBC products. ETU is
an acknowledged goitrogen, teratogen and oncogen (thyroid toxin, causes birth
defects and tumors). (ref)17Mancozeb and maneb breaks down to ETU in plants,
animals, soil and water. Effects observed in long-term, low-dose exposure studies
of test animals included decreases in weight gain and food consumption,
increased kidney, heart, liver, spleen, and testicle mass, altered thyroid hormone
levels and thyroid cancers. (ref)18 Chronic toxicity studies demonstrated thyroid
abnormalities and altered levels of thyroid hormones. (ref)19 Experimental
evidence suggests mancozeb and similar EBDCs may cause mutations in
chromosomes. (ref)20 In a reproductive toxicity test, pituitary abnormalities and
thyroid and kidney problems were observed. Due to this and other evidence,
EBDCs are considered endocrine disruptors. (ref)21 EBDCs are skin sensitizers,
causing allergic and contact dermatitis in humans. (ref)22

4. Carbofuran (FURADAN)

Carbofuran is a highly toxic pesticide used mainly as insecticide

and nematicide. It has been banned in New Zealand, Finland and
Libya and severely restricted in Belize, Kuwait, US and Canada.
(ref)23 Following a Special Review, the USEPA initiated a ban on all granular
formulations of carbofuran on September 1, 1994 due to extensive bird kills that
they cause.(ref)24 According to the Ecological Incident Investigation System in the
US, carbofuran has been responsible for more bird deaths than any other
pesticide. The number of birds involved in any single incident ranges up to 2,450.
Carbofuran has also killed mammals and fish. US Fish and Wildlife biologists
have stated, “there are no known circumstances under which carbofuran can be
used without killing birds.” In 1989, US EPA estimated that 1 to 2 million birds
were killed each year by carbofuran alone. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
requested that the EPA cancel all registrations for carbofuran. Many prominent

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environmental organizations oppose the continued use of carbofuran, but its use is
still sanctioned by the EPA.(ref)25

Carbofuran is highly toxic by inhalation and ingestion and moderately toxic by

dermal absorption. (ref)26 Symptoms of carbofuran poisoning include: nausea,
vomiting, abdominal cramps, sweating, diarrhea, excessive salivation, weakness,
imbalance, blurring of vision, breathing difficulty, increased blood pressure, and
incontinence. Death may result at high doses from respiratory system failure
associated with carbofuran exposure.(ref)27 Carbofuran is one of the pesticides
most frequently reported in farmworker poisonings.(ref)28 Carbofuran is
considered highly acutely toxic because exposure to this nerve toxin can cause
immediate severe poisoning symptoms, including headache, nausea, vomiting,
blurred vision and, in severe cases, seizures, cardio respiratory depression, and
coma.(ref)29 Carbofuran has been listed as a potential endocrine disruptor by the
German Federal Environment Agency.(ref)30 It has also been shown to cause
sperm and reproductive system damage in animals and thyroid system damage in
ewes, resulting in abnormal thyroxine concentrations.(ref)31 Contrary to claims of
the manufacturer and official review bodies, carbofuran has been found to be
embryotoxic and teratogenic(causing fetal abnormalities) and genotoxic, thus, a
potential cancer causing chemical.(ref)32

5. Glyphosate (ROUND-UP)

Glyphosate is a broad spectrum, non-selective systemic herbicide which kills all

plants, including grasses, broad leaf and woody plants. It is absorbed mainly
through the leaves and is transported around the whole plant, killing all parts of it.
Glyphosate can interfere with some enzyme functions in animals but symptoms of
acute poisoning are only seen at very high doses. However, products containing
glyphosate also contain other compounds which can be more acutely toxic. In
particular most contain surfactants known as polyoxyethyleneamines (POEA).
They are serious irritants of the respiratory tract, eyes and skin and are
contaminated with dioxane (not dioxin) which is a suspected carcinogen. Some
are toxic to fish. In California, glyphosate is the third most commonly-reported
cause of pesticide related illness among agricultural workers. Glyphosate is the
most frequent cause of complaints to the UK’s Health and Safety Executive’s
Pesticides Incident Appraisal Panel. (ref)33

Besides the active ingredient and the surfactant, which are thought to cause the
clinical effects seen in poisoning exposures, the by-products that are found in
glyphosate formulations are also responsible for some clinical effects. Although
acute toxicity is relatively low compared to most insecticides, the poisoning seen
in glyphosate exposure cases range from minor to severe, especially in intentional
ingestion of substantial amounts(about 1 glass).

In relatively minor exposure, symptoms maybe localised to oral mucous

membrane or the gastrointestinal system which usually last less than 24 hours,

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with inflammation of the oesophagus, oral ulceration, increase in urine output,
liver or renal damage and acid base disturbance. In severe cases, respiratory
failure, renal failure, reduction of blood pressure, cardiac arrest, coma and
seizures could occur. When an exposure to glyphosate occurs locally, the clinical
effects seen are usually classified as mild to moderate effects. These local effects
include erythema, piloerection and contact dermatitis. It is expected that the
severity of a skin exposure will be significantly decreased with a less concentrated
product. Among the most common effect seen from slight eye contact with the
herbicide is mild conjunctivitis which normally clears in one to two days. More
severe exposure, however, may result in more serious effects.

Monsanto claims that glyphosate does not cause reproductive problems. However,
tests with rabbits have shown adverse dose-dependent effects on semen and sperm
quality, (ref)34 and other studies at high dosages have reported effects such as
decreased litter size and reduced sperm counts in rats.(ref)35 Some literature
suggests that glyphosate can cause chronic health effects in laboratory animals.
Lifetime glyphosate feeding studies have shown reduced weight gain, liver and
kidney effects and degradation of the eye lens although these effects were
significant only at the higher doses tested. At lower doses inflammation of the
stomach’s mucus membrane was observed . (ref)36A sub-chronic feeding study
with rats showed effects on blood and pancreas. (ref)37On mice this resulted in
reduced body weights. (ref)38 In toxicity studies with pregnant rats and rabbits,
glyphosate caused treatment-related effects such as diarrhoea, reduced weight,
nasal discharge and death. (ref)39In a toxicity study (rats), kidney effects showed
up in male pups, and in another study digestive effects and decreased weight.
(ref)40

Although the US EPA classifies glyphosate as non-carcinogenic for humans, the

three lifetime studies, conducted between 1979 and 1990, of laboratory animals
fed varying doses of glyphosate showed increases in testicular interstitial tumours
in males, an increase in thyroid cancers in females, increases in kidney tumours in
male mice, and an increase in pancreatic and liver tumours in male rats, but all
discounted for various reasons. (ref)41 Nevertheless, a recent Swedish study found
that increased rates of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma were associated with exposure
to the pesticides Roundup and MCPA. (ref)42 A review of previous genotoxicity
studies on glyphosate also suggested that there is no genotoxicity for glyphosate
alone and a weak effect for formulated products(ref)43. Nevertheless, a recent
study testing the genotoxicity of glyphosate and Roundup in vivo recorded
cytogenic damage in mouse bone marrow which was more pronounced for
Roundup. A DNA-damaging activity of glyphosate and Roundup was also
observed in the mice’s liver and kidneys.(ref)44

The use of glyphosate may result in residues in crops and animal tissue or
drinking water destined for human consumption. The World Health Organisation
(WHO) found that pre-harvest use of glyphosate (for late season weed control or
as a pre-harvest desiccant) results in significant residues in the grain and plant

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material. The WHO also found that glyphosate residues in animal feeds arising
from pre-harvest glyphosate treatment of cereals may result in detectable residues
in meat, milk and eggs. In storage, residues of glyphosate are reported to be stable
for one year in plant material and for two years in animal products. Generally,
glyphosate residues are not monitored in food since methods of analysis are
complex and costly. (ref)45

Glyphosate is one of the most toxic herbicides, with many species of wild plants
being damaged or killed by applications of less than 10 micrograms per plant.
Glyphosate can be more damaging to wild flora than many other herbicides, as
aerial spraying with glyphosate can give average drifts of 1200 to 2500 feet and
ground spraying with glyphosate may cause damage to sensitive plants up to 300
feet from the field sprayed. Glyphosate use may also affect hedgerow trees,
causing die-back, and may reduce trees' winter hardiness and resistance to fungal
disease. Although the acute toxicity of glyphosate to mammals and birds is low,
its effect on flora can have a damaging effect on mammals and birds through
habitat destruction. The US EPA concluded that many endangered species of
plants, as well as the Houston toad, may be at risk from glyphosate use.(ref)46

Fish and invertebrates are more sensitive to formulations of glyphosate. As with

humans, the surfactants are responsible for much of the harm . Toxicity is
increased with higher water temperatures, and pH. In Australia, guidelines state
that most formulations of glyphosate should not be used in or near water because
of their toxic effects on tadpoles and adult frogs. Of nine herbicides tested for
their toxicity to soil microorganisms, glyphosate was found to be the second most
toxic to a range of bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes and yeasts. However, when
glyphosate comes into contact with the soil it rapidly binds to soil particles and is
inactivated. Unbound glyphosate is degraded by bacteria. Low activity because of
binding to soil particles suggests that glyphosate's effects on soil flora will be
limited. However, some recent work shows that glyphosate can be readily
released from certain types of soil particles, and therefore may leach into water or
be taken up by plants.(ref)47

6. Diazinon (BASUDIN)

Diazinon is an organophosphate insecticide used in agriculture, commerce, and

households. Diazinon’s toxic action is achieved mainly by inhibiting
acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme essential for normal nerve impulse transmission
in insects, animals and humans. It is classified by WHO as moderately toxic
pesticide but clinical data and observations in the field reveal that diazinon is a
highly toxic pesticide. Symptoms of acute poisoning include headache, nausea,
dizziness, tearing, sweating, salivation, drowsiness, agitation, anxiety, and in-
fluenza-like symptoms. Symptoms of higher exposure include an abnormal heart
rate, muscle weakness, muscle twitching, pin-point pupils, lung congestion,
seizures and cardiac arrest. Seizures are much more common in children than in
adults. Infants are particularly susceptible and can develop cerebral palsy after

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Final Report of Medical Team: IFFM Kamukhaan
diazinon exposure . Inflammation of the pancreas is another symptom that is “not
rare” in children with diazinon poisoning. A US EPA review found that
“symptoms may persist for months or years after the initial exposure.” Persistent
symptoms include blurred vision, headaches, muscle weakness, lethargy, short
term memory impairment, inability to concentrate, confusion, lowered
intelligence test scores, depression, and irritability. Diazinon causes allergic skin
reactions in people. About 10 percent of people tested showed positive dermal
sensitization. (ref)48

Several studies have demonstrated clearly the neurotoxic effect of diazinon. In

five studies ( a six-week study of people; a one-year, a three-month, and a one-
month study of dogs; and a one-month study of female rats) AChE inhibition
occurred at strikingly low doses: the animals were fed less than 50 micro-grams
per kilogram of animal body weight per day.(ref)49

Diazinon exposure of pregnant animals in laboratory tests has demonstrated that

this insecticide can cause a variety of reproductive problems, including damage to
the developing nervous system, delays in sexual development, stillbirths, death of
newborn offspring, and birth defects. The effects on the developing nervous
system are most significant. An EPA-funded study using mice exposed to low
levels of diazinon in their food found that the endurance and coordination of the
offspring was impaired. (ref)50

A study of dogs that were fed diazinon(1 mg/kg per day) during pregnancy
showed that their exposure increased the number of stillbirths. The researchers
noted that diazinon made the mothers “extremely high strung” resulting in
stillbirths as the mothers “would not lay still while giving birth.” These
researchers also found that feeding diazinon (5 mg/kg per day) to pregnant pigs
increased the incidence of skull deformities in the offspring.(ref)51

Another feeding study in pregnant rats found that the number of offspring that
died was greater in litters from exposed mothers than for litters from unexposed
mothers. Diazinon also has caused atrophied testicles in male dogs.(ref)52

In tests with cultures of cells from a human colon, low concentrations of diazinon
had growth-promoting effects, suggesting diazinon had interfered with the normal
activity of estrogen, an endocrine disrupting effect. Estrogen has recently been
shown to affect the development and growth of cells in the lining of the colon.
The result of abnormal growth of these cells is colon cancer. (ref)53 Although
diazinon has been classified as “not likely” to be a carcinogen by EPA, studies of
people who have used diazinon show just the opposite: there is an association
between diazinon use and the risk of certain types of cancer, such as brain cancer
and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.(ref)54 Again, although a WHO review (of mainly
industry supplied data) stated that diazinon “gave no evidence of mutagenic
potential”, a series of other studies show that diazinon in fact can damage genes in
human blood cells, in cells from laboratory animals, and in bacteria.(ref)55

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Final Report of Medical Team: IFFM Kamukhaan
 A wide variety of chemicals interact synergistically with diazinon, meaning that
their toxicity together is greater than the sum of their individual toxicities. This
synergism has been observed with compounds from strikingly different chemical
classes, including other pesticides, drugs, and nutrients. The length of the list is
sobering, since real-life exposures are often to multiple chemicals while most
toxicological testing and most regulation of hazardous chemicals is based on
single exposures. If a diazinon-containing product is contaminated with a trace of
water, some of the diazinon in the product breaks down into two chemicals that
are extremely potent neurotoxins: monothiotepp and sulfotepp. Monothiotepp has
been reported to be about 14,000 times more toxic than diazinon. (ref)56 Under
conditions of storage and use in developing countries, the formation of these
extremely toxic substances are likely to occur, explaining the very high incidence
and the severity of poisonings observed in these countries. Diazinon, in fact, is
one of the leading causes of pesticide poisonings documented in many countries,
including the United States.

The above examples of scientific information already existing for 6 of the 21 pesticides
currently being used by the banana plantation clearly show the highly hazardous
exposures that people of Kamukhaan are being subjected to. One can just imagine the
potential combined effects of all of these pesticides, coupled with the extremely poor
socio-economic status of the residents in the community.

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Final Report of Medical Team: IFFM Kamukhaan
VI. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

It is clear from the foregoing discussion that the people of Kamukhaan are exposed to a
large number of highly toxic pesticides as a result of the operations of the adjoining
banana plantation. The results of the medical investigation conducted by the medical
team on 136 respondents who voluntarily came for medical examination and interview
showed:

 A spectrum of medical complaints and symptoms that is similar, if not identical,

to the symptomatology of acute pesticide poisoning;
 The occurrence of communicable diseases of the respiratory and gastrointestinal
tracts that may be commonly found in a rural Filipino community but is
exceptional in incidence and quality in Kamukhaan; and
 The occurrence of diseases atypical in quality (i.e. severe anemia in young males)
and in incidence (i.e. significant cases of blood dyscrasias) but known to occur
after exposure to pesticides, including those that are used in the plantation.

It is strongly recommended that concerned government agencies, related institutions, and

non-governmental organizations carry out more extensive medical studies in this
community. It is also strongly suggested that laboratory documentation be conducted to
identify pesticide residues in biological and environmental samples, validate the levels of
toxicity, determine the degree of association between pesticide exposure and disease
occurrence in the community, and establish more definitive diagnoses.

Finally, there is a general call for the protection of those who document or articulate the
presence and severity of pesticide poisoning, especially among the farmers and the
academic sector. As in Kamukhaan right now, the plantation owners exert all efforts to
bring criminal and civil charges against scientists and doctors who conduct medical
investigations and monitor the ill effects of pesticide in the community. This would not
only seriously compromise efforts to carry out good scientific research/documentation on
pesticides but would also stifle demands by all of the stakeholders for responsibility and
accountability of corporate agribusinesses that insist on using hazardous chemical
pesticides.

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29. See note 23 above.

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 World Health Organization, United Nations Environment Programme, the
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36. Ibid.

37. U.S. EPA. Office of Pesticide Programs. Special Review and Reregistration
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38. U.S. EPA. Office of Toxic Substances. EPA Reg. #524-308; glyphosate; 3-month
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39. World Health Organization, United Nations Environment Programme, the

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40. See note 35 above.

41. U.S. EPA. Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances.EPA Reg. #524-308;
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46. Ibid.

47. Ibid.

48. Cox, C. Diazinon: Toxicology. Journal of Pesticide Reform 20(2), 2000.Retrieved

from the World Wide Web : http://www.pesticide.org/DiazinonTox.pdf
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organophosphate diazinon in mice. J. Toxicol. Environ. Health 3:989-1002,
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52.Earl, F.L. et al. Diazinon toxicity-comparative studies in dog and swine. Toxicol.
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55. Cox, C. Diazinon: Toxicology. Journal of Pesticide Reform 20(2), 2000.Retrieved

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56. Cox, C. Diazinon: Toxicology. Journal of Pesticide Reform 20(2), 2000.Retrieved

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