Economy
Rosebery toxicology reports flawed – but how flawed?
The controversy over the Rosebery toxicology reports requires some more detailed explanation.
The Toxic Heavy Metals Taskforce Tasmania was able to review the reports written by Professor Braitberg and Professor Daly and compare these reports with the known medical information on 8 patients out of the ten who were diagnosed by Dr Andres Ernst with heavy metal poisoning.
We conducted an assessment of Patient A’s complete medical files and compared these to Prof Braitberg and Daly’s reports and we can only surmise that the DHHS must have withheld a considerable volume of medical files for Professor Braitberg and Daly to have been unable to produce a comprehensive medical assessment for each patient.
Below is an example of Patient A’s critique of Professor Braitberg and Professor Daly’s report on their health status:
PATIENT A
Professor Daly’s Report:
Page 9 – Failed to mention that gas sampling conducted in December 2008 showed positive results for Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) and Carbon Monoxide (CO).
Omitted patient A’s urinary arsenic level of 0.096 μmol/mmol.
Page 10 – “Patient A has had numerous other investigations. In the period February 2008 to July 2009 the following investigations were found to be unremarkable” but failed to mention other test results and diagnosis including:
Diagnosed with Parasthesia in July 09 by GP.
Diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy in Dec 09 by GP.
Diagnosed with Myalgia in July 09 by GP
Confirmed Microalbuminuria in renal test on 23/10/08.
High creatinine at level 92 (44-80), Lcw kidney filtration rate 66 (>89), and
Haemolysed blood in June 08.
Diagnosed by Specialist with neuropathy features on upper and lower limbs in
September 2009.
Bone density scan showed osteopenia in February 2010.
” Patient A was tested for 30 essential and toxic metals on 12 -11 -08. The only toxic metal reported to be in the high range was strontium.” Failed to mention high levels of Copper, Cobalt, Calcium, Magnesium, and borderline level of lead and this opinion conflicts with that of Professor Braitberg. Date of test was incorrect.
Page 11 – “congenital fusion of cervical vertebrae C2-C3 and C6-C7, unfused bifid C1 cervical vertebra and Arnold Chiari malformation (downward displacement of cerebellum through foramen magnum)”. The Arnold Chiari malformation was not picked up through MRI tests but a Specialist diagnosed this in September 2009.
“Bruxism related left masseter pain”. Four different diagnosis have been given for this.
List of medications is incomplete and outdated:
Lexapro – Jan 09 – Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – patient did not take these tablets.
Temazepam – June 07 – Insomnia – patient did not take these tablets.
Alepam – October 08 – Stress – patient did not take these tablets.
Chlorsig eye drops – November 08 – For the instant eye infections that frequently developed after getting dust in eyes from the yard.
Claratyne – October 09 – Itchy skin or rash.
Panamax – April 09 – For Neuralgia – occasional use only.
Lyrica – November 09 – For neuralgia – occasional use only.
“Patent A was reviewed by a specialist but the date of the consultation is not noted. No examination findings were documented.” Examination findings were documented in September 2009:
Neuropathy features in upper and lower limbs.
Unexplained weight loss
Urinary Arsenic
Skin rash
Arnold Chiari Malformation
Fusion of cervical vertebrae C2-C3 and C6-C7,unfused bifid c C1 cervical
vertebra.
Dr Robert Parks conducted examination on November 20-08. “Dr Parks noted maculo- papular lesions measuring approx 3mm on the angle of her jaw on both sides, he
considered this to be secondary to her earrings.” These lesions developed all over the body of patient A – the patient wears gold or silver earrings only and has no allergic reaction to these metals.
Page 12 – “The intermittent contact with small amounts of dust would have been insufficient to lead to the ingestion or inhalation of any significant dose”. In addition to
general airborne dust in the town and due to extensive work on house renovations and garden landscaping patient A had frequent exposure to high levels of dust. “the presence of multiple symptoms in multiple organ systems without any associated objective medical signs or pathological abnormalities suggest a functional somatic disorder”. Patient A has numerous medical signs and pathological abnormalities.
Professor Braitberg’s Report:
Page 35 – List of medications incomplete. See above for comments on Page 11 of Professor Daly’s Report.
Page 36 – Incomplete list of tests. See above comments for comments on Page 11 of Professor Daly’s Report. “Hair analysis on 20/11/08 showed high levels of calcium , cobalt, magnesium and copper”. Failed to mention high level of Strontium and lead levels in hair analysis.
Page 37 – “an elevated arsenic to creatinine ratio is likely due to organic arsenic ingestion given the results of the arsenic speciation taken at the same time as the urine collection”. Patient A does not eat seafood. The documents from North West Pathology and Queensland Health Clinical and Statewide Services show that the speciation was not done on the same day. In addition, the speciation results from Queensland Health Clinical and Statewide Services are not consistent with results of tests conducted on urinary samples taken from people who have eaten seafood and shellfish. Further, the reports omitted to mention that arsenobetaine can also be excreted after exposure to inorganic arsenic and arsine gas.
Page 38 – The table does not include spot urine and hair analysis results.
Page 39 – “Metallic taste is reported in patients on lithium and iron therapy, in patients exposed to botulinum, following treatment with metronidazole, ligncaine treatment, oral candidiasis or metformin treatment for diabetics. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or cancer itself can cause a metallic taste in mouth. ” Patient A is not taking any of these medications or undergoing any treatments.
Page 45 – “History of neurological symptoms but no examination or objective nerve conduction results”. This is incorrect as on Page 35 Prof Braitberg comments on Patient A’s consultation with neurologist Dr Stan Siejka and the nerve conduction test results. “Cadmium high , but reporting laboratory concluded that the result was a sampling error” however on page 44 Prof Braitberg contradicts this statement with ” The patient has had high cadmium and needs further testing”. Omitted the high Arsenic level of 0.096 μmol/mmol.
This is the first of a series from the Toxic Heavy Metals Taskforce looking at the flaws in the toxicology reports by Professors Braitberg and Daly on 8 Rosebery residents.
Pic: Protesting by Kay Seltitzas, Marsha Stejskal and Jamie Arnold