OP News : October 2004

SHAPE study

As reported in the previous newsletter the report of the epidemiological component of the SHAPE project is being peer reviewed and is due for publication this autumn. Dr Tony Fletcher of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine stated his intention some time ago to write to groups participating in the project but has been unable to do so to date, and we had hoped to publish in this newsletter news about the state of the review and progress on the report of the clinical study component. At the time of writing this information was not available.

Research project will study effects of low-level exposure to chemicals on farm.

Sheep farmers and farm workers who have retired due to ill health are needed for a new study into the effects of low-level exposure to hazardous chemicals on the farm.

A research team from University College London is to study whether long-term low-level exposure to hazardous chemicals on the farm has any adverse effects on health. The project, co-ordinated by Sarah Mackenzie Ross and funded by Defra, will focus on retired farm workers in addition to working farmers. The study will be centred on the counties of Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, Somerset, Hereford and Wiltshire. Participants will initially be contacted by telephone and asked a few questions about their work history and current health. At a later date they may be asked to take part in a clinical examination - usually in their own home - comprising memory and problem-solving ability tests. The results will be used to devise effective policies and recommendations about the use of chemicals on the farm, aimed at improving safety and working conditions.

If you have retired on ill-health grounds over the last 20 years and would be willing to take part in this study, please contact Kelly Abraham or Virginia Harrison - tel 020 7679 1891 or email kelly.abraham@ucl.ac.uk or virginia.harrison@ucl.ac.uk by Dec 1, 2004.

Gulf war inquiry

The report of the Lord Lloyd inquiry into Gulf war illness conducted over the summer should be available by November. OPIN submitted evidence on the use of OP pesticides in the Gulf war in 1991 and this is now available on the inquiry website at http://www.lloyd-gwii.com/hearing.asp (28 July 2004).

Maddison inquest

The inquest on Ronald Maddison, who died at Porton Down in 1954 while undergoing tests with nerve gas, has been adjourned until 20 October. The oral legal submissions to the Coroner were completed on 22nd September. When the inquest resumes the Coroner will sum up the case to the jury, which could take at least 2 days, after which the jury will retire to consider their verdict. More information at http://www.wiltshire.police.uk/antler/inquest.asp

Pilots at risk from OP fumes

An article in the Mail on Sunday (10 October 2004) reports that the British Airline Pilot's Association (BALPA) is concerned about the risk to pilots from OP fumes in certain aircraft, the Boeing 757 and the BAe146. The Civil Aviation Authority is monitoring the problem. Pilots have been asked to report to the union if they suffer any problems with fumes. OPIN is helping BALPA with information about symptoms of OP poisoning. Paul Tyler MP is tabling relevant questions on air safety. (See the OPIN website for background information on this subject).

Support for sufferers of chronic fatigue syndrome in Cornwall and Devon

A clinical network co-ordinating centre for Cornwall and Devon and a multi-disciplinary support team for Cornwall are to be set up for people with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS/ME). This action is part of the first phase of an investment of £8.5 million across England to develop new services for these patients. Professor Anthony Pinching, Professor of Clinical Immunology at the Peninsula Medical School, will lead the centre. Three local teams will provide specialist assessment and diagnosis, multi-disciplinary clinical management and advice to patients, carers and other clinicians.

There is an overlap between the symptoms of chronic OP poisoning and those of CFS/ME. OPIN has written to Professor Pinching about the possibility that some CFS/ME sufferers may also have been exposed to OPs. A significant number of OP sufferers have been given a diagnosis of CFS/ME. If you have had such a diagnosis, please let us know.