learning disabilities etc: US Air Force medics in Panama see side effects of pesticide use

[Guest guest]

Another insight into adverse effects of pesticides

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Medics in Panama see side effects of pesticide use

by Capt. Ben Sakrisson

Air University Public Affairs

7/21/2008 - SANTA MARIA, Panama (AFPN) -- Air Force medics treated

approximately 3,100 patients suffering from the effects of pesticide

during a medical readiness training exercise July 14 through 18 in Panama.

Panamanian and U.S. Air Force doctors worked together to give free

medical care to patients in remote locations during the MEDRETE.

" I am amazed at the prevalence of depression and the lack of

medication for the treatment of it, " said Capt. Farford, a family

physician from the 81st Medical Operations Squadron at Keesler Air Force

Base, Miss. " I also saw many more cases of uncontrolled diabetes,

genetic disorders and complaints of allergies here than at Cabuya. "

The town of Santa is surrounded by rice fields, which until

eight years ago were sprayed with pesticides from airplanes. In recent

years, the Panamanian government has gone to extensive lengths to

consider environmental issues and now a large area near the town has

been designated a nature reserve for migratory birds.

Officials from Panama's ministry of health said the area around the

nature reserve is now carefully controlled, even with regard to the

number of cattle allowed to graze in the area, in order not to upset the

environmental balance. As a further measure, pesticides are not allowed

nearby in order to keep the groundwater uncontaminated.

Though pesticides are no longer sprayed from the air, spraying from

the ground by farmers continues, which has led to a high incidence of

pulmonary disease, said a Panamanian doctor.

As a lingering effect of past pesticide use, teachers said many

children here have learning disabilities and the doctors have seen much

higher rates of glaucoma, cataracts and neurological disorders than at

the previous MEDRETE site of Cabuya, which is only 30 minutes from Santa

.

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