Neuropsychological and Neuropsychiatric Effects of Exposure to Organophosphates

Preliminary report of the seminar held at the Exeter Golf and Country Club on 9 June 2000

The seminar was organised for health professionals, and was jointly arranged and funded by the OP Information Network and the Southwest Region National Farmers Union.

The proceedings were chaired by Dr Chris Williams, Director of Devon Psychology Services. The three speakers were Sarah MacKenzie Ross, a neuropsychologist from University College, London; Dr Bob Davies, consultant psychiatrist, Taunton; and David Johnson, consultant paediatric neuropsychologist from the Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh.

Sarah Ross spoke of her research into the effects of exposure to OPs among a small group of mainly sheep farmers, and the results of tests carried out to ascertain whether discernible cognitive impairment had occurred.

Bob Davies described the results of two surveys carried out by his team from Taunton and Exeter into the effects of occupational exposure to OPs, mainly sheep dip, among westcountry farmers. He also referred to his teams' two part contribution to the journal Advances in Psychiatric Practice, the first part of which is now available, the second part becoming available in late autumn 2000.

David Johnson described the known risks of direct and parental exposure to a number of toxic substances, in particular the extreme sensitivity to such substances of the developing neurological systems of the foetus and neonate.

A full report of these three talks will be available later this year.

The discussion which followed was interesting and showed the concern among members of the audience in relation to the problems of diagnoses of chronic OP poisoning. As a result of this debate four westcountry consultants have suggested that a second seminar be organised for psychologists, psychiatrists and neuropsychologists, in Exeter, possibly in October or November. Chris Williams will be happy to hear from people interested in attending such a professional seminar.

Dr Bob Davies has now been invited to address a conference on health problems in farming at the Institute of Health at Lancaster University in October. OPIN has been in close contact with Dr Maggie Mort at the Institute for two years, and we are delighted that her research programme has now included consideration of the problem of the effects of OP exposure among farmers and wool-handlers in the northwest of England.

Dr Chris Williams' contact details: Exeter and District Community Health Trust, Director of Psychology Services, Dept of Clinical and Community Medicine, Church Lane, Heavitree, Exeter, Devon EX2 5SH Telephone 01392 403173.