MUMBAI, INDIA. Medical doctors in India report five cases involving the development of parkinsonism after exposure to organophosphate pesticides. This group of pesticides includes such common household products as malathion, diazanon, dursban, and chlorpyriphos. Four of the victims developed symptoms of parkinsonism after fumigating their homes. The fifth had tried to commit suicide by swallowing the pesticide. Treatment with l-dopa was ineffective, but most of the patients recovered fully once they were no longer exposed to the pesticide. One woman had to move into another apartment as her symptoms kept recurring when she entered the fumigated apartment. The researchers conclude that exposure to organophosphate pesticides can cause parkinsonism especially in genetically susceptible individuals.
Bhatt, Mohit H., et al. Acute and reversible parkinsonism due to organophosphate pesticide intoxication. Neurology, Vol. 52, April 22, 1999, pp. 1467-71