Cutaneous contact with paraquat or bipyridine

Non melanotic malignant neoplasm of the skin - Cutaneous contact with paraquat or bipyridine Factor

RMA definition

Paraquat is "a dipyridilium compound whose dichloride and dimethylsulphate salts are used as contact herbicides".  The SoP factor in non-melanotic malignant neoplasm of the skin requires cutaneous contact with "paraquat or bipyridine in the process of paraquat manufacture".

Paraquat is produced synthetically from bipyridine and has been available commercially since 1961.  Gramoxone was the commercial name for the paraquat herbicide used by the Australian Forces in Vietnam.

Paraquat is a highly toxic herbicide.  Between 1975 and 1977 a stenching agent, an emetic to induce vomiting, and a blue dye were added, to nearly all products, to prevent accidental poisoning.  Personal protection would require overalls, face shield, goggles, mask or respirator, elbow-length impervious gloves, splash apron and rubber boots.  Contact with the skin can cause inflammation, blistering and white spots on the nails.  Treatment would usually require immediate washing with water then soap and water.

Although bipyridine may be used as a laboratory reagent in other processes, it is only relevant to this SOP factor when used in the process of paraquat manufacture.

Last reviewed for CCPS 26 September 2007.

Investigative Documents

Preliminary questions [34510]

34511 there is some evidence that cutaneous contact with paraquat or bipyridine as specified may be a factor in the development of the condition under consideration.

34512 the veteran has had cutaneous contact of side and site of the body with paraquat or bipyridine as specified at some time.

34515  the veteran has established the causal connection between cutaneous contact with paraquat or bipyridine and VEA service for the clinical onset of non-melanotic malignant neoplasm of the skin.

34516   the veteran has established the causal connection between cutaneous contact with paraquat or bipyridine and operational service for the clinical onset of non-melanotic malignant neoplasm of the skin.

or

34517   the veteran has established the causal connection between cutaneous contact with paraquat or bipyridine and eligible service for the clinical onset of non-melanotic malignant neoplasm of the skin.

Clinical onset and operational service [34516]

34513 the veteran had cutaneous contact of side and site of the body with paraquat or bipyridine as specified on a cumulative total of at least 1000 days at some time.

34514 the veteran had cutaneous contact of side and site of the body with paraquat or bipyridine as specified on a cumulative total of at least 1000 days before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

34518 operational service made a material contribution to the veteran having cutaneous contact of side and site of the body with paraquat or bipyridine as specified on a cumulative total of at least 1000 days before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

Clinical onset and eligible service [34517]

38714 the veteran had cutaneous contact of side and site of the body with paraquat or bipyridine as specified on a cumulative total of at least 2000 days at some time.

38715 the veteran had cutaneous contact of side and site of the body with paraquat or bipyridine as specified on a cumulative total of at least 2000 days before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

34519 eligible service made a material contribution to the veteran having cutaneous contact of side and site of the body with paraquat or bipyridine as specified on a cumulative total of at least 2000 days before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.