OP News : January 2006

Researchers are visiting sheep farmers to carry out clinical examinations.

We reported in August 2005 that Sarah Mackenzie Ross, a Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist at University College London, had been granted funding by DEFRA for a large scale study of cognitive and psychological functioning in farm workers with a history of long term, low level exposure to OP sheep dip.

The research team has spent the last year identifying and recruiting farm workers who are willing to participate in this study. Over the next few months, the researchers will contact sheep farmers who have volunteered to take part in the study to make an appointment to visit them on their farms / at home to carry out a clinical examination. This will involve an interview about work and medical history followed by pen-and-paper tests of memory, problem-solving and information-processing speed. A small blood sample will also be taken. All participants will be paid £50 for their time.

The researchers are still looking for individuals to take part in this study, in particular farmers / farm workers under the age of 70 who have had to retire from sheep farming, or have felt it necessary to reduce their workload or change occupation because of ill health.

They are recruiting people from the South West (Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, Wiltshire, Somerset, Herefordshire) and the North of England (Cumbria, Lancashire, Merseyside, Cheshire, Yorkshire).

If you would be interested in taking part in this study and live within these regions please contact the research team as soon as possible. Alternatively, if you know of anybody who fits the above criteria, please contact the research team with their details or pass on the team's details to them.

Contact:
Kelly Abraham - tel: 020 7679 1891 or email: kelly.abraham@ucl.ac.uk
Tessa Hughes - tel: 020 7679 1902 or email: tessa.hughes@ucl.ac.uk

OPIN is delighted at this development as it is the first comprehensive clinical examination of the effects of OPs in the farming population. It is looking at the relationship between OP exposure, cognitive impairment and gene variations. The project will have three offices: in London, in Leeds and in Exeter. We do encourage people to take part in this study.

Aircraft cabin air quality

A private meeting was held at the end of February at the House of Lords to discuss the subject of cabin air quality and OPs. This meeting was organised by Sarah Mackenzie Ross and the Countess of Mar, a member of the House of Lords. Present were a number of scientists and doctors concerned with the effect of OPs including Professor Abou-Donia of Duke University, North Carolina and a geneticist Clem Furlong from Washington University, Seattle. These two specialists have been carrying out detailed research into the effects of exposure of OPs in the first Gulf war.

Dr Sarah Myhill

Dr Sarah Myhill has been asked to run a clinic at Shrewsbury hospital for sufferers of ME. She is also seeing a large number of patients who have been exposed to OPs in her own practice. The waiting list stretches to August.

Contact details:
Upper Weston, Llangunllo, Knighton, Powys, Wales LD7 1SL Tel: 01547 550331
http://www.drmyhill.co.uk

We continue to be contacted by people who have been exposed to OPs and who suspect that their long-term symptoms may be connected to their exposure.