> If this is an attempt to argue in favour of the 'much less
> toxic' 2,4-D, I think it is unfortunate.
I was attempting to clarify the chemical and toxicological difference
between the two chemicals, not support the use of 2,4-D. But as long as you
bring it up...
> interfering with mitochondrial respiration [uncoupling ATP
> production] in even a minor way, has wide repercussions.
Most phenolic poisons can uncouple phosphorylation, but it is all a matter
of dose. If you OD on 2,4-dinitrophenol (LD50=30mg/kg), the uncoupling will
kill you, no doubt about it. If you OD on aspirin (LD50=200mg/kg), the
uncoupling will probably kill you, but other effects might get you first.
If you OD on 2,4-D herbicide (LD50>1000mg/kg), CNS depression, not
uncoupling, will probably kill you, but the petroleum distillate in the
formulation might get you first.
Uncoupling phosphorylation is an acute, high-dose hazard caused by gross
disturbance of the mitochondrial inner membrane. There is not much reason
to think, nor any evidence as far as I know, that this is an insidious
environmental threat.
> My own research arising from need to deal with my own chronic
> fatigue makes clear to me the intimate linkage between the
> respiratory pathway and the steroidogenic pathways,...
Theory will only get you so far. When they actually feed high doses of
2,4-D esters or amines to mammals, the chemical doesn't seem very dangerous,
not from an acute, nor from a carcinogenic perspective. The biggest danger
is splashing the concentrated formulation in your eyes, which can cause real
injury.
Dale
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