[Herbicides and congenital malformations in Meta, Colombia]

In this paper is presented an statistical study realized upon the duplicated rate of congenital malformations per 100,000 inhabitants observed in the district of Meta in the last ten years term, which has increased from 99, in 1985, till 189, in 1995, coincidentally with the massive country fumigations, with herbicides, as Paraquant or Glycofosfate. Other factors such an insufficient nourishment with hypovitaminosis B, alcoholism, tobacco addiction, etc., working isolate or jointly, are contemplated. Also are taken into account links between these factors and the corresponding pathologies. The AA. set out the biochemical process from which B vitamin deficiency with energetic ATP depletion trigger a cascade of reactions with release of free radicals and PAF, among other responses. Weedkillers block vitamin B coenzymes in Krebs cycle. Free radicals brake the H links of DNA chromosomes of both spermatozoon and ovule, carrying genetic malformations in descendents. And the same if acting metabollically in embrionary state because the reduction of acetylcoline synthese and consequently failure of vascular system and tissue development. Or directly inflammatory in the cell for virus, alcohol, etc.