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Röösli M, Fuhrimann S, Atuhaire A, Rother HA, Dabrowski J, Eskenazi B, Jørs E, Jepson PC, London L, Naidoo S, Rohlman DS, Saunyama I, van Wendel de Joode B, Adeleye AO, Alagbo OO, Aliaj D, Azanaw J, Beerappa R, Brugger C, Chaiklieng S, Chetty-Mhlanga S, Chitra GA, Dhananjayan V, Ejomah A, Enyoh CE, Galani YJH, Hogarh JN, Ihedioha JN, Ingabire JP, Isgren E, Loko YLE, Maree L, Metou’ou Ernest N, Moda HM, Mubiru E, Mwema MF, Ndagire I, Olutona GO, Otieno P, Paguirigan JM, Quansah R, Ssemugabo C, Solomon S, Sosan MB, Sulaiman MB, Teklu BM, Tongo I, Uyi O, Cueva-Vásquez H, Veludo A, Viglietti P, Dalvie MA. Interventions to Reduce Pesticide Exposure from the Agricultural Sector in Africa: A Workshop Report. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 19:ijerph19158973. [PMID: 35897345 PMCID: PMC9330002 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19158973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
Despite the fact that several cases of unsafe pesticide use among farmers in different parts of Africa have been documented, there is limited evidence regarding which specific interventions are effective in reducing pesticide exposure and associated risks to human health and ecology. The overall goal of the African Pesticide Intervention Project (APsent) study is to better understand ongoing research and public health activities related to interventions in Africa through the implementation of suitable target-specific situations or use contexts. A systematic review of the scientific literature on pesticide intervention studies with a focus on Africa was conducted. This was followed by a qualitative survey among stakeholders involved in pesticide research or management in the African region to learn about barriers to and promoters of successful interventions. The project was concluded with an international workshop in November 2021, where a broad range of topics relevant to occupational and environmental health risks were discussed such as acute poisoning, street pesticides, switching to alternatives, or disposal of empty pesticide containers. Key areas of improvement identified were training on pesticide usage techniques, research on the effectiveness of interventions targeted at exposure reduction and/or behavioral changes, awareness raising, implementation of adequate policies, and enforcement of regulations and processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Röösli
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland; (C.B.); (S.C.-M.); (A.V.)
- Faculty of Science, University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
- Correspondence: (M.R.); (S.F.); (M.A.D.)
| | - Samuel Fuhrimann
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland; (C.B.); (S.C.-M.); (A.V.)
- Faculty of Science, University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
- Correspondence: (M.R.); (S.F.); (M.A.D.)
| | - Aggrey Atuhaire
- Uganda National Association of Community and Occupational Health (UNACOH), YMCA Building, Plot 37/41, Buganda Road, Kampala P.O. BOX 12590, Uganda;
| | - Hanna-Andrea Rother
- Division of Environmental Health, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7729, South Africa; (H.-A.R.); (L.L.)
| | - James Dabrowski
- Sustainability Research Unit, Nelson Mandela University, P.O. Box 6531, George 6530, South Africa;
| | - Brenda Eskenazi
- Center for Environmental Research and Community Health (CERCH), School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA;
| | - Erik Jørs
- Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark;
| | - Paul C. Jepson
- Oregon IPM Center, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA;
| | - Leslie London
- Division of Environmental Health, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7729, South Africa; (H.-A.R.); (L.L.)
| | - Saloshni Naidoo
- Discipline of Public Health Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa;
| | - Diane S. Rohlman
- College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA;
| | - Ivy Saunyama
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Subregional Office for Southern Africa, Block 1 Tendeseka Office Park, Eastlea, Harare, Zimbabwe 00153 Rome, Italy;
| | - Berna van Wendel de Joode
- Infants’ Environmental Health Program (ISA), Central American Institute for Studies on Toxic Substances (IRET), Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica, Heredia 40101, Costa Rica;
| | - Adeoluwa O. Adeleye
- Department of Crop Production and Protection, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife 220282, Nigeria; (A.O.A.); (O.O.A.); (M.B.S.)
| | - Oyebanji O. Alagbo
- Department of Crop Production and Protection, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife 220282, Nigeria; (A.O.A.); (O.O.A.); (M.B.S.)
| | - Dem Aliaj
- Department of Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Lucerne, 6002 Lucerne, Switzerland;
| | - Jember Azanaw
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia;
| | - Ravichandran Beerappa
- ICMR-Regional Occupational Health Centre (Southern), Bangalore 562110, India; (R.B.); (V.D.)
| | - Curdin Brugger
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland; (C.B.); (S.C.-M.); (A.V.)
| | - Sunisa Chaiklieng
- Department of Environmental Health, Occupational Health and Safety, Faculty of Public Health, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand;
| | - Shala Chetty-Mhlanga
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland; (C.B.); (S.C.-M.); (A.V.)
| | - Grace A. Chitra
- Global Institute of Public Health, Ananthapuri Hospitals and Research Institute, Trivandrum 695024, Kerala, India;
| | - Venugopal Dhananjayan
- ICMR-Regional Occupational Health Centre (Southern), Bangalore 562110, India; (R.B.); (V.D.)
| | - Afure Ejomah
- Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, University of Benin, P.M.B. 1154, Benin City 300212, Nigeria; (A.E.); (O.U.)
| | - Christian Ebere Enyoh
- Green and Sustainable Chemical Technologies, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Saitama 3388570, Japan;
| | - Yamdeu Joseph Hubert Galani
- Section of Natural and Applied Sciences, School of Psychology and Life Sciences, Canterbury Christ Church University, Canterbury CT1 1QU, UK;
| | - Jonathan N. Hogarh
- Department of Environmental Science, College of Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana;
| | - Janefrances N. Ihedioha
- Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Nigeria; (J.N.I.); (M.B.S.)
| | - Jeanne Priscille Ingabire
- Horticulture Program, Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board, Kigali 5016, Rwanda;
| | - Ellinor Isgren
- Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies (LUCSUS), P.O. Box 170, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden;
| | - Yêyinou Laura Estelle Loko
- Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Biosciences et Biotechnologies Appliquées (ENSBBA), Université Nationale des Sciences, Technologies, Ingénierie et Mathématiques (UNSTIM), BP 2282 Abomey, Benin;
| | - Liana Maree
- Department of Medical Bioscience, University of the Western Cape, Bellville 7493, South Africa;
| | - Nkoum Metou’ou Ernest
- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Cameroon, Direction of Regulation and Quality Control of Agricultural Inputs and Product, Messa, Yaoundé P.O. Box 2082, Cameroon;
| | - Haruna Musa Moda
- Department of Health Professions, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M15 6BG, UK;
| | - Edward Mubiru
- Chemistry Department, School of Physical Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda;
| | - Mwema Felix Mwema
- School of Materials, Energy, Water and Environmental Sciences, The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, Arusha P.O. Box 447, Tanzania;
| | - Immaculate Ndagire
- Southern and Eastern Africa Trade Information and Negotiation Institute (SEATINI) Uganda, Kampala P.O. Box 3138, Uganda;
| | - Godwin O. Olutona
- Industrial Chemistry Programme, College of Agriculture Engineering and Science, Bowen University, Iwo 232101, Nigeria;
| | - Peter Otieno
- Pest Control Products Board, Loresho, Nairobi P.O. Box 13794-00800, Kenya;
| | - Jordan M. Paguirigan
- Common Services Laboratory, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Philippines, Alabang, Muntinlupa 1781, Philippines;
| | - Reginald Quansah
- School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra P.O. Box LG13, Ghana;
| | - Charles Ssemugabo
- Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala P.O. Box 7072, Uganda;
| | - Seruwo Solomon
- CropLife Uganda, Chicken House, Plot1, Old Kampala Road, Second Floor Room 17, Kampala P.O. Box 36592, Uganda;
| | - Mosudi B. Sosan
- Department of Crop Production and Protection, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife 220282, Nigeria; (A.O.A.); (O.O.A.); (M.B.S.)
| | - Mohammad Bashir Sulaiman
- Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Nigeria; (J.N.I.); (M.B.S.)
| | - Berhan M. Teklu
- Ethiopian Agriculture Authority, Addis Ababa P.O. Box 313003, Ethiopia;
- Faculty of Naval and Ocean Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, Maslak P.O. Box 34469, Turkey
| | - Isioma Tongo
- Laboratory for Ecotoxicology and Environmental Forensics, Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, University of Benin, P.M.B. 1154, Benin City 300212, Nigeria;
| | - Osariyekemwen Uyi
- Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, University of Benin, P.M.B. 1154, Benin City 300212, Nigeria; (A.E.); (O.U.)
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
| | - Henry Cueva-Vásquez
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Carrera de Medicina Humana Lima, Universidad Científica del Sur, Lima 15067, Peru;
| | - Adriana Veludo
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland; (C.B.); (S.C.-M.); (A.V.)
| | - Paola Viglietti
- Centre for Environmental and Occupational Health (CEOHR), School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7700, South Africa;
| | - Mohamed Aqiel Dalvie
- Centre for Environmental and Occupational Health (CEOHR), School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7700, South Africa;
- Correspondence: (M.R.); (S.F.); (M.A.D.)
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Habib RR, Mikati D, Al-Barathie J, Abi Younes E, Jawad M, El Asmar K, Ziadee M. Work-related injuries among Syrian refugee child workers in the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon: A gender-sensitive analysis. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0257330. [PMID: 34543313 PMCID: PMC8452013 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Syrian refugees in Lebanon have endured increasing hardships since the onset of the Syrian war in 2011, with many resorting to child labor. Working refugee children endure socioeconomic deprivation and harsh working conditions. This study explores the relationship between working conditions and the reporting of injuries among male and female Syrian refugee children in Lebanon and the related gender differences. Methods and findings A cross-sectional survey of Syrian refugee children working in the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon was conducted in 2017. Face-to-face interviews with children (8 to 18 years) collected sociodemographic information and testimonies of their work experiences. Logistic regression tested the association between reporting of injuries and risk factors including school enrolment, field of work, means of transportation to work, age started working, number of working hours, multiple jobs, work pressure and hazards, and abuse. Analyses were stratified by gender. Of the 4090 surveyed working children, the majority reported working in agriculture (75.8%). Around a third (31.4%) reported being injured at work with a higher proportion in males. The most common reported injuries were cuts and wounds (44.9%), with males showing a higher proportion for all types of injuries compared to females. Nearly one fifth of reported injuries (19.8%) required medical attention in a hospital, with males reporting higher proportions than females for most types of injuries. The study findings revealed the association of multiple risk factors with an increased odds of reporting an injury, which included working in more than one job (AOR, 1.71; CI, 1.20–2.43; p = 0.003), working under pressure (AOR, 1.64; CI, 1.36–1.97; p<0.001), the use of sharp or heavy objects (AOR, 1.88; CI, 1.58–2.24; p<0.001), and experiencing physical abuse at work (AOR, 2.46; CI, 1.97–3.08; p<0.001). The odds of reporting an injury increased with every additional hour of work per day (AOR 1.08; CI, 1.02–1.14; p = 0.006). Most of these findings persisted in the male and female stratified models, with few exceptions. Males who went to work in a pickup truck had significantly lower odds of being injured than those who walked (AOR, 0.65; CI, 0.51–0.83; p = 0.001); this finding did not reach significance for females. Having longer work hours per day was significantly linked to higher odds of injury for females (AOR, 1.07; CI, 1.02–1.12; p = 0.008); but not for males. The main limitations of this study were its cross-sectional design and the use of self-reported variables. Conclusions This study is the first to obtain direct testimony on work-related injuries and working conditions, exploring gender differences, among Syrian refugee children in Lebanon. Results demonstrated the association between the occurrence of injury and multiple risk factors highlighting their strenuous working conditions, with some differences detected between males and females. Many injuries can be prevented through direct safety interventions and proper implementation of child labor policies. Multidimensional interventions are essential to address the complex evolving challenges facing refugees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rima R. Habib
- Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
- * E-mail:
| | - Diana Mikati
- Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | | | - Elio Abi Younes
- Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Mohammed Jawad
- Public Health Policy Evaluation Unit, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Khalil El Asmar
- Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Micheline Ziadee
- Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
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Eadeh HM, Ismail AA, Abdel Rasoul GM, Hendy OM, Olson JR, Wang K, Bonner MR, Rohlman DS. Evaluation of occupational pesticide exposure on Egyptian male adolescent cognitive and motor functioning. Environ Res 2021; 197:111137. [PMID: 33839119 PMCID: PMC8187303 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic low-level exposure to organophosphorus pesticides is associated with adverse health effects, including a decline in neurological functioning and long-term impairment. These negative effects may be more detrimental in children and adolescents due to their critical stage in development. Little work has investigated the effects of chronic exposure to pesticides, specifically chlorpyrifos (CPF) during the adolescent period. OBJECTIVES To examine effects of CPF exposure over a year-long period within a group of male adolescents in Egypt (N = 242, mean age = 17.36), including both pesticide applicators and non-applicators. METHODS Associations between average CPF exposure (measured via urinary metabolite levels of 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol [TCPy]) and neurobehavioral functioning were examined in a 1-year longitudinal study. Given previous literature, higher levels of TCPy were expected to be associated with worse neurobehavioral functioning. RESULTS Using mixed effects linear regression, average TCPy exposure predicted deficits in more complex neurobehavioral tasks (Benton visual retention, digit span reverse, match to sample, serial digit learning, and alternating tapping) with estimates of effects ranging from -0.049 to 0.031. Age (effects ranging from 0.033 to 0.090) and field station (effects ranging from -1.266 to -0.278) were significantly predictive of neurobehavioral functioning over time. An interaction effect was found for field station and TCPy across several neurobehavioral domains. DISCUSSION Results show that occupational exposure to pesticides may have particularly deleterious effects on complex neurobehavioral domains. Additionally, differences across field stations and the age at which individuals are exposed may be important factors to investigate in future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hana-May Eadeh
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
| | - Ahmed A Ismail
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA; Community, Environmental, and Occupational Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Shebin Elkom, Egypt
| | - Gaafar M Abdel Rasoul
- Community, Environmental, and Occupational Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Shebin Elkom, Egypt
| | - Olfat M Hendy
- Department of Clinical Pathology, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Shebin Elkom, Egypt
| | - James R Olson
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA; Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Kai Wang
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Matthew R Bonner
- Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Diane S Rohlman
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
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Chetty-Mhlanga S, Fuhrimann S, Basera W, Eeftens M, Röösli M, Dalvie MA. Association of activities related to pesticide exposure on headache severity and neurodevelopment of school-children in the rural agricultural farmlands of the Western Cape of South Africa. Environ Int 2021; 146:106237. [PMID: 33171379 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 10/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Children and adolescents living in agricultural areas are likely to be exposed to mixtures of pesticides during their daily activities, which may impair their neurodevelopment. We investigated various such activities in relation to headache severity and neurodevelopment of school-children living in rural agricultural areas in the Western Cape of South Africa. METHOD We used baseline date from 1001 school-children of the Child Health Agricultural Pesticide Cohort Study in South Africa (CapSA) aged 9-16 from seven schools and three agriculture areas in the Western Cape. Questionnaires were administrated to assess activities related to pesticide exposure and health symptoms addressing four types of activities: 1) child farm activities related to pesticide handling, 2) eating crops directly from the field, 3) contact with surface water around the field, and 4) seen and smelt pesticide spraying activities. Neurocognitive performance across three domains of attention, memory and processing speed were assessed by means of an iPad-based cognitive assessment tool, Cambridge Automated NeuroPsychological Battery (CANTAB). Headache severity was enquired using a standard Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) tool. Cross-sectional regression analysis was performed. RESULTS About 50% of the cohort report to have ever been engaged in activities related to pesticide exposure including farm activities, eating crops directly from the field and leisure activities. Headache severity score was consistently increased in relation to pesticide-related farm activities (score increase of 1.99; 95% CI: 0.86, 3.12), eating crops (1.52; 0.41, 2.67) and leisure activities of playing, swimming or bathing in nearby water (1.25; 0.18, 2.33). For neurocognitive outcomes, an overall negative trend with pesticide exposure-related activities was observed. Among others, involvement in pesticide-related farm activities was associated with a lower multi-tasking accuracy score (-2.74; -5.19, -0.29), while lower strategy in spatial working memory (-0.29; -0.56; -0.03) and lower paired associated learning (-0.88; -1.60, -0.17) was observed for those who pick crops off the field compared to those who do not pick crops off the field. Eating fruits directly from the vineyard or orchard was associated with a lower motor screening speed (-0.06; -0.11, -0.01) and lower rapid visual processing accuracy score (-0.02; -0.03, 0.00). CONCLUSIONS Children who indicate activities related to pesticide exposure may be at higher risk for developing headaches and lower cognitive performance in the domains of attention, memory and processing speed. However, self-reported data and cross-sectional design are a limitation. Future research in CapSA will consider pesticide exposure estimations via urinary biomarkers and longitudinal assessment of cognitive functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shala Chetty-Mhlanga
- Centre for Environment and Occupational Health Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa; Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Samuel Fuhrimann
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, 3584 Utrecht, Netherlands.
| | - Wisdom Basera
- Centre for Environment and Occupational Health Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Marloes Eeftens
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Martin Röösli
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Mohamed Aqiel Dalvie
- Centre for Environment and Occupational Health Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa.
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