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Epidemic kepone poisoning in chemical workers
American Journal of Epidemiology
|June 1, 1978
Summary
Workers at a pesticide plant developed a new illness, characterized by neurological and physical symptoms, after exposure to Kepone (a chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticide). Higher blood Kepone levels correlated with increased illness rates.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Toxicology
- Occupational Medicine
Background:
- Kepone, a chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticide, was manufactured at a pesticide plant.
- Workers at the plant were exposed to Kepone during its production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize a new clinical illness among workers exposed to Kepone.
- To investigate the relationship between Kepone exposure levels and illness incidence.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 133 individuals who worked at the pesticide plant was studied.
- Clinical examinations and blood Kepone level measurements were conducted.
- Illness incidence rates were compared between production and nonproduction workers.
Main Results:
- 76 (56%) of 133 workers developed a novel illness with symptoms including nervousness, tremor, weight loss, and oligospermia.
- Production workers had significantly higher illness rates (64%) than nonproduction personnel (16%).
- Mean blood Kepone levels were significantly higher in ill workers (2.53 ppm) compared to healthy workers (0.60 ppm).
Conclusions:
- Kepone exposure is linked to a distinct clinical illness in pesticide plant workers.
- Occupational exposure to Kepone poses a significant health risk, with higher exposure correlating to increased illness.
- Further investigation into the long-term health effects of Kepone exposure is warranted.
Keywords:
Central Nervous System EffectsDiseasesEconomic FactorsEpidemicsHuman ResourcesMorbidityOccupations--complicationsMore Related Videos
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