SOACD Foundation meetings set for July
By
John Grimes-
It is hard to believe that this year is half over. There are six months gone and six months to go. In case you weren’t aware, the new office hours for the Extension office are Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. We are using an automated phone system so if you want to reach me directly, call 937-393-1918, extension 15.
Vomitoxin, health, and safety
Ohio’s wheat harvest is in full swing and concerns about vomitoxin are being raised, especially in areas hit by head scab. Data from our field survey showed that this year’s scab incidence ranged from 3 to 60%, so fields with the highest incidence will likely be the ones with the highest levels of vomitoxin. However, scab levels in the field are not always the best predictor of toxin levels in harvested grain. Vomitoxin can only be determined by appropriate sampling and testing. Harvesting, sampling, and testing expose combine operators and grain handlers to moldy grain and vomitoxin. Early reports coming in from across the state indicate that in some of the worst areas, vomitoxin levels are as high as 9 ppm, and close to 3 ppm in less affected areas. The following Q and A explains the risk of vomitoxin to humans and highlights safety precautions.
Why is vomitoxin harmful?
Vomitoxin research on humans is prohibited for legal and moral reasons, but we do know the effects of vomitoxin on animals with similar body systems to humans (such as pigs and primates). Low levels of vomitoxin (0.05 to 0.1 mg/kg body weight) can cause vomiting in pigs ˆ this would be similar to exposing a 175 lb person to 0.0003 ounces of vomitoxin (a VERY small amount!). In humans, scabby grain has been associated with food poisoning symptoms 30 minutes after consumption. Long-term and continuous exposure to even lower levels of vomitoxin may cause dangerous reduction in appetite, weight loss, damage to the gastro-intestinal tract and impair the immune system.
Vomitoxin has not been reported to cause cancer. However, scabby wheat (and moldy corn) may contain other toxins that are just as harmful as or even more harmful to humans and animals than vomitoxin. Some of these other toxins do cause cancer.
What are the precautions for harvesting grain with scab?
An air-conditioned combine cab with appropriate filters cuts down exposure to dust, and consequently, vomitoxin at harvest. It is important to note that the chaff and other parts of the wheat head contain much higher levels of vomitoxin than the grain itself. The scab fungus infects and spreads through these tissues first as the grain is developing in the field. Dust from chaff containing vomitoxin may be more harmful than dust from ground grain.
Do I still need to use gloves
and masks in the seed house?
Yes. It would seem reasonable to think that the problem will decrease once you leave the field, since lots of scabby kernels and most of the contaminated chaff, straw, and dust are left out there. However, if we consider the time spent in the seed house handling scabby grain, the exposure to mold and vomitoxin may be just as high.
Quite often scabby grain will contain multiple molds and toxins. As such, symptoms of mycotoxicosis (disease caused by mycotoxins in humans and animals) usually result from the combined effects of these toxins, and are often due to the ingestion of contaminated food products. Skin and eye irritations are definitely topical symptoms of over-exposure, but for more serious concerns, laboratory exams and a medical doctor’s opinion will be needed. Some symptoms can be confused with allergic reactions.
• The Southern Ohio Agricultural and Community Development Foundation will feature a series of informational meetings during July to announce the 2010-11 programs. Applications and information packets are available at the Foundation office in Hillsboro, local Farm Service Agencies (FSA), Soil and Water Districts (SWCD) and County Extension offices or online at www.soacdf.net. The following area informational sessions are planned:
• Highland County – Monday, July 12 at 2 p.m. at the Highland County Training Employment Center, Hillsboro.
• Adams – July 12 at 6:30 p.m. at Cherry Fork Community Center.
• Brown – July 14 at 6:30 p.m., at Georgetown High School.
John Grimes is the Ohio State University Extension Educator for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Highland County.[[In-content Ad]]
Vomitoxin, health, and safety
Ohio’s wheat harvest is in full swing and concerns about vomitoxin are being raised, especially in areas hit by head scab. Data from our field survey showed that this year’s scab incidence ranged from 3 to 60%, so fields with the highest incidence will likely be the ones with the highest levels of vomitoxin. However, scab levels in the field are not always the best predictor of toxin levels in harvested grain. Vomitoxin can only be determined by appropriate sampling and testing. Harvesting, sampling, and testing expose combine operators and grain handlers to moldy grain and vomitoxin. Early reports coming in from across the state indicate that in some of the worst areas, vomitoxin levels are as high as 9 ppm, and close to 3 ppm in less affected areas. The following Q and A explains the risk of vomitoxin to humans and highlights safety precautions.
Why is vomitoxin harmful?
Vomitoxin research on humans is prohibited for legal and moral reasons, but we do know the effects of vomitoxin on animals with similar body systems to humans (such as pigs and primates). Low levels of vomitoxin (0.05 to 0.1 mg/kg body weight) can cause vomiting in pigs ˆ this would be similar to exposing a 175 lb person to 0.0003 ounces of vomitoxin (a VERY small amount!). In humans, scabby grain has been associated with food poisoning symptoms 30 minutes after consumption. Long-term and continuous exposure to even lower levels of vomitoxin may cause dangerous reduction in appetite, weight loss, damage to the gastro-intestinal tract and impair the immune system.
Vomitoxin has not been reported to cause cancer. However, scabby wheat (and moldy corn) may contain other toxins that are just as harmful as or even more harmful to humans and animals than vomitoxin. Some of these other toxins do cause cancer.
What are the precautions for harvesting grain with scab?
An air-conditioned combine cab with appropriate filters cuts down exposure to dust, and consequently, vomitoxin at harvest. It is important to note that the chaff and other parts of the wheat head contain much higher levels of vomitoxin than the grain itself. The scab fungus infects and spreads through these tissues first as the grain is developing in the field. Dust from chaff containing vomitoxin may be more harmful than dust from ground grain.
Do I still need to use gloves
and masks in the seed house?
Yes. It would seem reasonable to think that the problem will decrease once you leave the field, since lots of scabby kernels and most of the contaminated chaff, straw, and dust are left out there. However, if we consider the time spent in the seed house handling scabby grain, the exposure to mold and vomitoxin may be just as high.
Quite often scabby grain will contain multiple molds and toxins. As such, symptoms of mycotoxicosis (disease caused by mycotoxins in humans and animals) usually result from the combined effects of these toxins, and are often due to the ingestion of contaminated food products. Skin and eye irritations are definitely topical symptoms of over-exposure, but for more serious concerns, laboratory exams and a medical doctor’s opinion will be needed. Some symptoms can be confused with allergic reactions.
• The Southern Ohio Agricultural and Community Development Foundation will feature a series of informational meetings during July to announce the 2010-11 programs. Applications and information packets are available at the Foundation office in Hillsboro, local Farm Service Agencies (FSA), Soil and Water Districts (SWCD) and County Extension offices or online at www.soacdf.net. The following area informational sessions are planned:
• Highland County – Monday, July 12 at 2 p.m. at the Highland County Training Employment Center, Hillsboro.
• Adams – July 12 at 6:30 p.m. at Cherry Fork Community Center.
• Brown – July 14 at 6:30 p.m., at Georgetown High School.
John Grimes is the Ohio State University Extension Educator for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Highland County.[[In-content Ad]]