Research into organophosphate exposure and human health

• current research projects
• completed research projects
• continuing research

Current research projects

Abstracts of projects 1..3 can be found on the website of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (at their website select 'Research & Development' in the left navigation bar, then 'Current Projects').

1. Study of the Health of Agricultural Workers (SHAW)
   A C Povey et al, University of Manchester
   (Project website http://www.coeh.man.ac.uk/research/shaw/ )
2. Susceptibility to chronic organophosphate exposure (SCOPE)
   N M Cherry et al, University of Manchester (More...)
3. Chronic fatigue syndrome and organophosphate pesticides in sheep farming: a retrospective study amongst people reporting to a UK pharmacovigilance scheme
   N Tahmaz et al, University of Aberdeen
4. Survey of Health and Pesticide Exposure (SHAPE)
   Dr Tony Fletcher, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (More...)
5. A case-control study of neuropsychological and psychiatric functioning in sheep farmers exposed to OP pesticides
   Dr Sarah Mackenzie Ross, University College, London
6. Effects of sheep dip pesticides on differentiating nerve cells: Identification of novel markers of toxicity
   Nottingham Trent University
7. Prediction of susceptibility to long-term genotoxic effects of organophosphate pesticide exposure
   University of Newcastle
8. Health of Scottish farmers
   Professor Andrew Watterson, University of Stirling

Completed research projects

Abstracts of projects 1..3 can be found on the website of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (at their website select 'Research & Development' in the left navigation bar, then 'Projects completed in ...' (2003 or 2002)).

1. Investigation of possible autoimmune responses induced by organophosphate exposure
   Howard Mason, Health and Safety Laboratory, Sheffield. Completed 2003.
2. Characterisation of non-actelycholinesterase actions of organophosphates by identification of novel protein targets
   D Ray et al, MRC Applied Neuroscience Group, University of Nottingham. Completed 2003.
3. Dose effect profiles for OP sheep dip on brain electrical activity and cognitive performance
   Leah Scott et al, Dstl Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire. Completed 2002.
   
4. Report on an analytical study of OP sheep dips
   Professor G Dunn. Completed 2002.
   
   
   The report (see here on the VMD website) analyses suspected adverse reactions to OP sheep dips. It was commissioned by the then Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Foods as a follow-up action following the report of the COT committee.
   
5. Symptom-reporting following occupational exposure to organophosphate pesticides in sheep dip (Contract Research Report 371/2001)
   Institute of Occupational Health, Birmingham for HSE. Completed 2001. (see report abstract)
6. 'Organophosphates'
   Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals In Food, Consumer Products and the Environment. Completed November 1999. (More...)
7. Chronic organophosphate-induced neuropsychiatric disorder (COPIND): results of two postal questionnaire surveys
   Dr D R Davies et al. Completed 1999.
   
   
   The results of these surveys were published in the Journal of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine 9 123-134.
8. Epidemiological study of the relationships between exposure to organophosphate pesticides and indices of chronic peripheral neuropathy, and neuropsychological abnormalities in sheep farmers and dippers
   Institute of Occupational Medicine, Edinburgh. Completed 1999.
9. Organophosphate sheep dip: clinical aspects of long-term low-dose exposure
   Report of a joint working party of the Royal College of Physicians and Royal College of Psychiatrists. Completed 1998. (More...)
10. An investigation into the possible chronic neuropsychological and neurological effects of occupational exposure to organophosphates in sheep farmers
    Institute of Occupational Health, Birmingham. Completed 1995.
11. Organophosphorus sheep dips - the incidence and nature of health problems caused to farmers in south-west England
    National Farmers Union, South-West region. Completed 1992.
12. Surveillance of sheep dip exposures, 1991 and 1992
    Virginia Murray et al, National Poisons Unit, London (More...)
13. Sheep dip survey
    Dr Carol Davison, Health and Safety Executive. Completed 1990.

Continuing research

1. Research at the Edinburgh Sick Children's Hospital
   Dr David Johnson, Clinical Neuropsychologist, Child and Family Mental Health Service
   
   
   Investigating the possible neurological and psychological consequences for present and future functioning, growth and development in children who have direct or indirect exposure to organophosphates. A multidisciplinary clinical research project involving psychology, psychiatry, radiology, neurology and biochemistry. (October 2000)
2. Research at the University of Manchester
   Dr M I Mackness, Clinical Research Division II, Manchester Royal Infirmary
   
   
   Interests: the detoxication of OPs by paraoxonase and its possible relationship to adverse health effects of OPs; the effect of the paraoxonase genetic polymorphisms on OP detoxication as it relates to the selective toxicity of OPs. (August 2000)
3. Research at the Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit, Leicester
   Dr D E Ray et al
   
   
   Target proteins for organophosphorus pesticides. (August 2000) More...