Links to Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Possible Links Involving 2,4-D and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

The most widely known and used Herbicide 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), has become a hot topic due to the accusations that it is linked to serious health issues; specifically Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL). In Dennis T. Avery's book, he states that there is at least one team of researchers in the U.S. that raises questions to whether or not there is a link between 2,4-D and NHL; but after extensive research scientists concluded that there was no significant link between the two (Avery, 102).

Avery appears to think that herbicides as well as pesticides have been under scrutiny because activists are using scare tactics by stating that there are cancer risks. His stance on this issue is obvious in that he points the finger at the media, politicians, and activist groups for scaring society even though a report by the National Research Council failed to reported that there is no increased risk to children when using pesticides (Avery, 96)

To further back up Avery's stance on the grounds to prove there is no link, he provides research conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. The research conducted monitored the cancer rates in the U.S. of those were chemical industry workers who worked with 2,4-D. The study concludes that there is no increased risk of contracting NHL. Avery also states that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) did four studies on animal and human data and came to the conclusion that there was no evidence 2,4-D is even a "possible human carcinogen" (Avery, 102).

On the contrary, there have been studies in where 2,4-D has been 2-8times more likely to be found in agricultural regions (Kimbrell, 70). Author Andrew Kimbrell states that, "Many pesticides used in agriculture and in homes gardens, building, and public spaces are linked to different kinds of cancers". Kimbrell also states that the (EPA) has over 100 registered pesticides that are either known, probable, and potential carcinogens. (Kimbrell, 135).

Kimbrell also cites a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, in that, "Farmers who mixed or applied 2,4-D more then 20 days per year had a six times higher risk of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma." 2,4-D is also known to alter reproductive and developmental effects on humans such as stillbirth, defects, low birth weight, and functional impairment (Krimbrell, 136). With that said, these findings seem to be from valid sources; is it possible that activist and the media despite scaring society with their statements, are actually informing the public correctly?

In a 1997 document from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Health Effects Division Carcinogenicity Peer Review Committee (CPRC) determined that 2,4-D should be classified as a group D; meaning that it is not classifiable to human carcinogenicity (Rowland, 1). The CPRC report also mentioned that the Science Advisory Panel (SAP) and Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) evaluated the effects of 2,4-D. Both SAP and SAB also concluded that 2,4-D should be classified as a group D carcinogen due to the fact that lab test on animals showed no significant increase in tumors thus assuming it is also less likely to cause cancer in humans (Rowland, 2). However both the SAP and SAB determined that there is some evidence that NHL may occur, but the output data is not adequate to conclude a cause and effect relationship between 2,4-D and NHL (Rowland, 2).

During the Vietnam War, other data that has been collected reveals that mutagenic effects appear in humans due to the use the combination of 2,4-D and 2,4,5,T though, the dosages used on farmland crops are most likely different than what was used in Vietnam (Bovey, 120). Author Rodney Bovey sites that lymphocyte cultures from various pesticide applications along with the use of several controls showed an increase of chromatid lesions throughout the busy spraying season especially those who worked directly with the pesticide. On the contrary, the study conducted couldn't verify if 2,4-D had a link with NHL (Bovey, 120). One must take this report with a grain of salt due to the year (1980) that this report was published. With better technology and research