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Frengidou E, Galanis P, Chatzimichael K, Kioulos E, Malesios C. Depression and Pesticide Exposure Among Male Farmers in Greece. J Occup Environ Med 2024; 66:e176-e184. [PMID: 38355751 DOI: 10.1097/jom.0000000000003068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between pesticide exposure and depression. METHODS A cross-sectional study was performed in a study population of 252 Greek male farmers using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale. Cumulative pesticide exposure was categorized in three mutually exclusive groups related to lifetime pesticide use: low (<275 days, the reference group), intermediate (276 to 1200 days), and high (>1200 days). Acute pesticide exposure was categorized in pesticide poisoning events and high pesticide exposure events. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed, and odds ratios, 95% confidence intervals, and P values were presented. FINDINGS After adjusting for confounding factors, a positive significant association was found between both high-exposure group and high pesticide exposure events and depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Apart from acute, high cumulative pesticide exposure may as well contribute to the development of depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisavet Frengidou
- From the Public Organization for Providing Health Care Services, Regional Department of North and East Greece, Thessaloniki, Greece (E.F.); Faculty of Nursing, Center for Health Services Management and Evaluation, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece (P.G.); Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece (K.C., C.M.); and Laboratory of Pesticide Science, Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece (E.K.)
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Lerro CC, Beane Freeman LE, DellaValle CT, Andreotti G, Hofmann JN, Koutros S, Parks CG, Shrestha S, Alavanja MCR, Blair A, Lubin JH, Sandler DP, Ward MH. Pesticide exposure and incident thyroid cancer among male pesticide applicators in agricultural health study. Environ Int 2021; 146:106187. [PMID: 33126065 PMCID: PMC10127519 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [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: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many pesticides are known to have thyroid-disrupting properties. However, few studies have evaluated the association between specific pesticide ingredients and risk of thyroid cancer. We investigated self-reported pesticide use and incident thyroid cancer in the Agricultural Health Study (AHS), a large cohort of occupationally-exposed male pesticide applicators. METHODS The AHS is a prospective cohort of licensed pesticide applicators in Iowa and North Carolina. At enrollment (1993-1997) and follow-up (1999-2005), participants reported use of 50 pesticides. We characterized exposure as ever use (44 pesticides with ≥5 exposed cases) and by cumulative intensity-weighted lifetime days (22 pesticides with ≥10 exposed cases), a metric that accounts for factors that influence exposure. We estimated hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using Cox regression for incident thyroid (n = 85 cases) cancer among male participants using follow-up through 2014/2015. RESULTS Use of the fungicide metalaxyl (HR = 2.03, CI:1.16-3.52) and the organochlorine insecticide lindane (HR = 1.74, CI:1.06-2.84) was associated with increased risk of thyroid cancer. The herbicide chlorimuron-ethyl was inversely associated with risk when we restricted to papillary thyroid cancer, the most common subtype (HR = 0.52, CI:0.28-0.96). High use of the insecticide carbaryl (>median intensity-weighted days) was inversely associated with thyroid cancer (HR = 0.20, CI:0.08-0.53, ptrend = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS In this large cohort study, we observed increased risk of thyroid cancer associated with use of metalaxyl and lindane, and an inverse association with carbaryl. More work is needed to understand the potential role of these chemicals in thyroid carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine C Lerro
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA.
| | - Laura E Beane Freeman
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Curt T DellaValle
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Gabriella Andreotti
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Jonathan N Hofmann
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Stella Koutros
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Christine G Parks
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Srishti Shrestha
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Michael C R Alavanja
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Aaron Blair
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Jay H Lubin
- Biostatistics Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Dale P Sandler
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Mary H Ward
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA
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Alves J, Da Silva FR, Kahl V, Reyes J, Lima E, Abreu MB, Thiesen FV, Dos Santos DL, Salvador M, Dos Santos Branco C, Nersesyan A, Knasmuller S, Da Silva J. Impact of nicotine-induced green tobacco sickness on DNA damage and the relation with symptoms and alterations of redox status in tobacco farmers. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2020; 206:111397. [PMID: 33007538 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.111397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
During the harvest period, tobacco workers are exposed to nicotine and it is known that absorption of the alkaloid via the leaves causes green tobacco sickness (GST). We investigated if GST and its symptoms are associated with DNA damage and alterations of the redox status. DNA damage was measured in lymphocytes of tobacco workers and controls (n = 40/group) in single cell gel electrophoresis assays. Exposure to nicotine was determined by plasma cotinine measurements, alterations of the redox status by quantification of the total antioxidant capacity (TEAC) and of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). The symptoms of GTS included nausea, abdominal cramps, headache, vomiting and dizziness, and 50% of the workers had more than one symptom. Cotinine levels were enhanced in the workers (111 ng/mL); furthermore, the extent of DNA damage was ca. 3-fold higher than in the controls. This effect was more pronounced in participants with GST compared to healthy nicotine exposed workers and increased in individuals with specific symptoms (range 22-36%). TBARS levels did not differ between workers and unexposed controls, while TEAC values were even increased (by 14.3%). Contact with nicotine present in tobacco leaves causes GTS and leads to damage of the DNA; this effect is more pronounced in workers with GTS symptoms and is associated with alterations of the redox status. Damage of the genetic material which was found in the workers may lead to adverse long-term effects that are caused by genomic instability such as cancer and accelerated ageing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jodel Alves
- Laboratory of Genetic Toxicology, PPGBioSaúde, Lutheran University of Brazil (ULBRA), Canoas, RS, Brazil
| | - Fernanda R Da Silva
- Posgraduate Program in Evaluation of Environmental Impacts, La Salle University (UniLaSalle), Canoas, RS, Brazil
| | - Vivian Kahl
- Telomere Length Regulation Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute (CMRI), Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Juliana Reyes
- Laboratory of Genetic Toxicology, PPGBioSaúde, Lutheran University of Brazil (ULBRA), Canoas, RS, Brazil
| | - Elisiane Lima
- Laboratory of Genetic Toxicology, PPGBioSaúde, Lutheran University of Brazil (ULBRA), Canoas, RS, Brazil
| | - Marina B Abreu
- Toxicology Institute, Catholic Pontificie University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUC), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Flávia V Thiesen
- Toxicology Institute, Catholic Pontificie University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUC), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Denise Leal Dos Santos
- Toxicology Institute, Catholic Pontificie University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUC), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Mirian Salvador
- Biotechnology Institute, University of Caxias do Sul, Caxias do Sul (UCS), RS, Brazil; Mestrado em Avaliação de Impactos Ambientais, Canoas, RS, Brazil
| | - Cátia Dos Santos Branco
- Biotechnology Institute, University of Caxias do Sul, Caxias do Sul (UCS), RS, Brazil; Mestrado em Avaliação de Impactos Ambientais, Canoas, RS, Brazil
| | - Armen Nersesyan
- Institute of Cancer Research, Department of Internal Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Siegfried Knasmuller
- Institute of Cancer Research, Department of Internal Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Juliana Da Silva
- Laboratory of Genetic Toxicology, PPGBioSaúde, Lutheran University of Brazil (ULBRA), Canoas, RS, Brazil; Posgraduate Program in Health and Human Development, La Salle University (UniLaSalle), Canoas, RS, Brazil.
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Ramírez-Santana M, Zúñiga-Venegas L, Corral S, Roeleveld N, Groenewoud H, Van der Velden K, Scheepers PTJ, Pancetti F. Reduced neurobehavioral functioning in agricultural workers and rural inhabitants exposed to pesticides in northern Chile and its association with blood biomarkers inhibition. Environ Health 2020; 19:84. [PMID: 32698901 PMCID: PMC7374955 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-020-00634-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous biomonitoring studies have shown that people in the rural population of Coquimbo, the major agricultural area in northern Chile are being occupationally and environmentally exposed to organophosphate/carbamate (OP/CB) pesticides. Given their harmful effects, this study had two aims; first, to evaluate the effect of cumulative or chronic exposure to OP/CB pesticides on the neurobehavioral performance of agricultural workers and rural inhabitants; second, to determine if changes in the neurobehavioral performance are associated to changes in blood biomarkers of OP/CB pesticides during the spray season, when exposure is higher. METHODS For the first aim, a cross sectional study of neurobehavioral performance in adult volunteers (men and women, 18-50 years-old, right-handed) was carried out in the pre-spray season. Sampling was done by convenience and a questionnaire was used to categorize participants depending on their level of chronic exposure, as either: occupationally exposed (OE, n = 87), environmentally exposed (EE, n = 81), or non-exposed controls or reference group (RG, n = 100). A neurobehavioral test battery consisting of 21 tests to measure cognitive, motor and emotional state was applied. For the second aim, neurobehavioral measures were taken a second time from EE and OE groups during the spray season, and their exposure corroborated by blood-based biomarker inhibition. RESULTS Lower neurobehavioral performance was observed in the pre-spray evaluation of EE and OE groups compared to the non-exposed, OE being the worst performing group. Seasonal exposure impaired performance in both exposure groups on all tests except those on attention and mood. Data modeling of the basal (pre-spray) measurements showed that the level of exposure was the best predictor of performance. During spraying, inhibition of BChE activity in the EE group was the best predictor of low performance in tests measuring logical, auditory and visual memory, inhibitory control of cognitive interference, constructional and planning abilities, executive functions, and motor speed and coordination. CONCLUSION Long-term occupational or environmental exposure to pesticides caused impairment in neurobehavioral functioning, which worsened during the spraying season, mainly in EE. BChE inhibition was the best predictor for seasonal neurobehavioral changes in EE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muriel Ramírez-Santana
- Departemento de Salud Pública, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Católica del Norte, Coquimbo, Chile
- Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department for Health Evidence, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Liliana Zúñiga-Venegas
- Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios Avanzados de Maule (CIEAM), Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
- Centro de Investigación en Neuropsicología y Neurociencias Cognitivas (CINPSI), Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
- Laboratorio de Neurotoxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Católica del Norte, Larrondo 1281, 1780000, Coquimbo, Chile
| | - Sebastián Corral
- Laboratorio de Neurotoxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Católica del Norte, Larrondo 1281, 1780000, Coquimbo, Chile
- Laboratorio de Psiquiatría Translacional, Departamento de Psiquiatría y Salud Mental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Escuela de Psicología, Facultad de Ciencias Sociales, Universidad Central de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Nel Roeleveld
- Department for Health Evidence, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Hans Groenewoud
- Department for Health Evidence, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Koos Van der Velden
- Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Paul T J Scheepers
- Department for Health Evidence, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Floria Pancetti
- Laboratorio de Neurotoxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Católica del Norte, Larrondo 1281, 1780000, Coquimbo, Chile.
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Pardo LA, Beane Freeman LE, Lerro CC, Andreotti G, Hofmann JN, Parks CG, Sandler DP, Lubin JH, Blair A, Koutros S. Pesticide exposure and risk of aggressive prostate cancer among private pesticide applicators. Environ Health 2020; 19:30. [PMID: 32138787 PMCID: PMC7059337 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-020-00583-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers among men in developed countries; however, little is known about modifiable risk factors. Some studies have implicated organochlorine and organophosphate insecticides as risk factors (particularly the organodithioate class) and risk of clinically significant PCa subtypes. However, few studies have evaluated other pesticides. We used data from the Agricultural Health Study, a large prospective cohort of pesticide applicators in North Carolina and Iowa, to extend our previous work and evaluate 39 additional pesticides and aggressive PCa. METHODS We used Cox proportional hazards models, with age as the time scale, to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between ever use of individual pesticides and 883 cases of aggressive PCa (distant stage, poorly differentiated grade, Gleason score ≥ 7, or fatal prostate cancer) diagnosed between 1993 and 2015. All models adjusted for birth year, state, family history of PCa, race, and smoking status. We conducted exposure-response analyses for pesticides with reported lifetime years of use. RESULTS There was an increased aggressive PCa risk among ever users of the organodithioate insecticide dimethoate (n = 54 exposed cases, HR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.04, 1.80) compared to never users. We observed an inverse association between aggressive PCa and the herbicide triclopyr (n = 35 exposed cases, HR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.48, 0.95), with the strongest inverse association for those reporting durations of use above the median (≥ 4 years; n = 13 exposed cases, HR=0.44, 95% CI=0.26, 0.77). CONCLUSION Few additional pesticides were associated with prostate cancer risk after evaluation of extended data from this large cohort of private pesticide applicators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa A. Pardo
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, MD 20850 USA
| | - Laura E. Beane Freeman
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, MD 20850 USA
| | - Catherine C. Lerro
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, MD 20850 USA
| | - Gabriella Andreotti
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, MD 20850 USA
| | - Jonathan N. Hofmann
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, MD 20850 USA
| | - Christine G. Parks
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 USA
| | - Dale P. Sandler
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 USA
| | - Jay H. Lubin
- Biostatistics Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, MD 20850 USA
| | - Aaron Blair
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, MD 20850 USA
| | - Stella Koutros
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, MD 20850 USA
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, 9609 Medical Center Dr., Room #6E616, MSC 9771, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
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Sapbamrer R, Hongsibsong S, Sittitoon N, Amput P. DNA damage and adverse neurological outcomes among garlic farmers exposed to organophosphate pesticides. Environ Toxicol Pharmacol 2019; 72:103241. [PMID: 31437569 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2019.103241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 05/11/2018] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Garlic farmers used organophosphate pesticides to control insects, resulting in an increased risk for adverse health outcomes. Thus, we investigated exposure to organophosphate pesticides, DNA damage, nerve conduction, and neurological symptoms among 134 garlic farmers. They were interviewed, measured nerve conduction, and collected blood and urine for determining DNA damage and dialkylphosphate metabolites. Total dialkylphosphate levels of farmers who began cultivating garlic in October were significantly higher than those of non-farmers and the farmers who began cultivating in November and December. Farmers showed significantly longer comet tail lengths and tail moments than non-farmers. However, their mean compound motor and sensory nerve action potential amplitudes of the median, ulnar, and common peroneal nerves were within normal ranges. Measurement of DNA damage is useful as a biomarker of long-term and low-level exposure to organophosphate pesticides; however, electromyography might be not sufficiently sensitive to detect nerve conduction effects in farmers exposed to pesticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ratana Sapbamrer
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, 110 Inthavaroros Road, Sri Phum Subdistrict, Maung District, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand.
| | - Surat Hongsibsong
- Environment and Health Research Unit, Research Institute for Health Sciences, Chiang Mai University, 110 Intavaroros Road, Sriphum Subdistrict, Muang District, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand.
| | - Nalin Sittitoon
- Institute of Public Health, Suranaree University of Technology, 111 University Avenue, Muang District, Nakhon Ratchasima, 30000, Thailand.
| | - Patchareeya Amput
- School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Phayao, 19 Moo 2, Mae Ka Subdistrict, Muang District, Phayao Province, 56000, Thailand.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE using the urinary cotinine biomarker to verify the occurrence of green tobacco sickness in workers who cultivate Burley tobacco. METHOD paired case-control study, based on smoking status and on the 1:4 ratio, with participation of 20 case workers and 91 controls. Data collection included household surveys and urine collection for cotinine examination. Student's T-Test, the Mann-Whitney test, Pearson's chi-square or Fisher's exact tests were used. RESULTS of the 23 suspected cases, 20 showed elevated levels of cotinine, signs and symptoms of headache, skin irritation, nausea, sickness and general malaise, especially in the morning. Most had worked with tobacco that was wet from the morning dew and when the weather was warm. CONCLUSION there are signs suggestive of green tobacco sickness in Burley tobacco workers. The action of health professionals is necessary for the development of health promotion and preventive actions addressing work-related illness.
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Li J, Yu H, He S, Xue M, Tian D, Zhou J, Xie Y, Yang H. The association between awareness and behavior concerning the need for protection when using pesticide sprays and neurologic symptoms: A latent class cluster analysis. Medicine (Baltimore) 2019; 98:e16588. [PMID: 31348299 PMCID: PMC6708867 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000016588] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Revised: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Pesticide exposure is a major health risk factor among agricultural workers, and poor protective behavior and a lack of awareness concerning the risks of pesticide use in developing countries may increase the intensity of pesticide exposure. This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the relationship between neurologic symptoms and protective behavior and awareness in relation to pesticide use in China. Latent class cluster analysis was used to categorize participants into 3 latent cluster subgroups, namely, a poor protective behavior subgroup, an excellent protective awareness and behavior subgroup, and a poor protective awareness subgroup, using a person-centered approach. Multivariate regression models were used to detect the association between the latent class cluster subgroups and self-reported neurologic symptoms. The results showed that poor protective behavior in pesticide use was an important negative predicator of neurologic symptoms such as reduced sleep quality, frequency of nightmares, debility, hypopsia, and hypomnesis. These findings suggest that targeted interventions for agricultural workers, especially local greenhouse farmers, are urgently needed to improve pesticide protection behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangping Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics
| | - Hu Yu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health
| | - Shulan He
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics
| | - Min Xue
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health
| | - Danian Tian
- Department of Hygienic Chemistry, School of Public Health and Management, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Jian Zhou
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health
| | - Yongxin Xie
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health
| | - Huifang Yang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health
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Lamichhane R, Lama N, Subedi S, Singh SB, Sah RB, Yadav BK. Use of Pesticides and Health Risk among Farmers in Sunsari District, Nepal. J Nepal Health Res Counc 2019; 17:66-70. [PMID: 31110379 DOI: 10.33314/jnhrc.1204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2018] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND An increasing widespread use of Pesticides is as an issue in the agricultural sector. Pesticides use is one of the occupational risks in farmers of low-income countries including Nepal. Objective of this study was to explore the health effects of Pesticides among agricultural farmers of Sunsari. METHODS A community based cross sectional study was carried out in Duhabi-Bhaluwa of Sunsari District, Nepal from September 2015 to February 2016. Non-probability sampling technique was used to enroll the total 300 study participants. Data were collected by face to face interview with farmers using pre-tested semi structured questionnaire. Data were recorded by reading the original container of the Pesticides. RESULTS Fungicides (60.3%), Herbicides (56.3%), pyrethrum (35.3%) and Organophophate (11.6%) Pesticides were commonly used by the agricultural farmers in their farms. The health problem within 48 hours after application of pesticides was reported by more than one-sixth (17%) of the farmers. Dizziness (74.5%) and headache (58.8%) were the most common health problems found among the farmers. Skin irritation (19.6%), nausea (13.7%), paraesthesia (9.8%), restlessness (5.8%), eye irritation (5.8%) and vomiting (1.9%) were also reported by pesticides handlers. Factors associated with health problems were hazardous pesticides use (AOR=26.95, CI 6.15 - 118.0), good knowledge on impacts of pesticides (AOR=3.16, CI 1.09-9.13), determination of wind direction first and spray (AOR=2.25, CI 1.08-4.67), working experience of 20-29 years on farm (AOR=3.38, CI 1.05-10.83). CONCLUSIONS One-sixth of the farmers reported health problems. Farmers working with hazardous Pesticides were in need of special attention in terms of safe handling, determing the wind direction and spray.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajendra Lamichhane
- Department of Public Health, Asian College for Advance Studies, Satdobato, Lalitpur, Nepal
| | - Nishant Lama
- Department of Public Health, Little Buddha College of Health Sciences, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Sangam Subedi
- Health and Allied Sciences, Pokhara University, Nepal
| | - Suman Bahadur Singh
- School of Public Health, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Sunsari, Nepal
| | - Ram Bilakshan Sah
- School of Public Health, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Sunsari, Nepal
| | - Birendra Kumar Yadav
- School of Public Health, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Sunsari, Nepal
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Patel S, Sangeeta S. Pesticides as the drivers of neuropsychotic diseases, cancers, and teratogenicity among agro-workers as well as general public. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2019; 26:91-100. [PMID: 30411285 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-018-3642-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [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: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The need to maximize agricultural productivity has made pesticides an indispensable part of current times. Farmers are unaware of the lurking consequences of the pesticide exposure, which endanger their health. It also puts the unsuspecting consumers in peril. The pesticides (from organophosphates, organochlorine, and carbamate class) disrupt the immune and hormonal signaling, causing recurrent inflammation, which leads to a wide array pathologies, including teratogenicity. Numerous farmers have fallen victim to neural disorders-driven suicides and lungs, prostate/breast cancer-caused untimely deaths. Green revolution which significantly escalated agricultural productivity is backfiring now. It is high time that environmental and agricultural authorities act to restrain the excessive usage of the detrimental chemicals and educate farmers regarding the crisis. This review discusses the biological mechanisms of pesticide-driven pathogenesis (such as the activation or inhibition of caspase, serine protease, acetylcholinesterase) and presents the pesticide-exposure-caused health deterioration in USA, India, and Africa. This holistic and critical review should be an eye-opener for general public, and a guide for researchers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seema Patel
- Bioinformatics and Medical Informatics Research Center, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Dr, San Diego, CA, 92182, USA.
| | - Sushree Sangeeta
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, 605014, India.
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Prudente IRG, Cruz CL, Nascimento LDC, Kaiser CC, Guimarães AG. Evidence of risks of renal function reduction due to occupational exposure to agrochemicals: A systematic review. Environ Toxicol Pharmacol 2018; 63:21-28. [PMID: 30125793 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2018.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [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: 03/23/2018] [Revised: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 08/11/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Agriculture accountsfor an important economic activity worldwide and the search for the increased productivity incorporated the use of pesticides in this practice. Such compounds have significant environmental and human health effects, especially for workers exposed to them. Among the main health problems caused by pesticides are the renal alterations, which in more advanced stages comprise an important public health problem. For this reason, this systematic review aimed at gathering evidence of the risk of renal changes induced by occupational exposure to pesticides. The search was made in PubMed, Scopus, Lilacs and Scielo in December 2017, using keywords as pesticides, poisoning, kidney, renal insufficiency. After the application of inclusion criteria, 11 studies were selected. It was possible to gather evidence on the prevalence and risk (3.12-6.71) of renal injury from the occupational exposure of agricultural workers and its association with the exposure to agrichemicals, as organophosphates and herbicides.
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Shrestha S, Parks CG, Goldner WS, Kamel F, Umbach DM, Ward MH, Lerro CC, Koutros S, Hofmann JN, Beane Freeman LE, Sandler DP. Pesticide Use and Incident Hypothyroidism in Pesticide Applicators in the Agricultural Health Study. Environ Health Perspect 2018; 126:97008. [PMID: 30256155 PMCID: PMC6375417 DOI: 10.1289/ehp3194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2017] [Revised: 08/15/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Though evidence suggests that some pesticides may have thyroid-disrupting properties, prospective studies of associations between specific pesticides and incident thyroid disease are limited. OBJECTIVE We evaluated associations between use of specific pesticides and incident hypothyroidism in private pesticide applicators in the Agricultural Health Study (AHS). METHODS Self-reported incident hypothyroidism ([Formula: see text] cases) was studied in relation to ever-use and intensity-weighted cumulative days of pesticide use at study enrollment. We estimated adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using Cox proportional hazards models applied to 35,150 male and female applicators followed over 20 y. All models were stratified by state and education to meet proportional hazards assumptions ([Formula: see text] for age x covariate interactions). Models of pesticides that did not meet proportional hazards assumptions were stratified by median attained age (62 y). RESULTS Hypothyroidism risk was significantly increased with ever- vs. never-use of four organochlorine insecticides (aldrin, heptachlor, and lindane among participants with attained age [Formula: see text]; chlordane in all participants), four organophosphate insecticides (coumaphos in those [Formula: see text]; diazinon, dichlorvos, and malathion in all participants) and three herbicides (dicamba, glyphosate, and 2,4-D in all participants). HRs ranged from 1.21; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.41 (chlordane) to 1.54; 95% CI: 1.23, 19.4 (lindane in those [Formula: see text]). Hypothyroidism risk was greatest among those with higher intensity-weighted lifetime days of using chlordane, lindane, coumaphos (over age 62), diazinon, permethrin, and 2,4-D. CONCLUSIONS Our findings support associations between exposure to several pesticides and increased hypothyroidism risk. These findings are generally consistent with prior analyses of prevalent hypothyroidism in the AHS. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP3194.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srishti Shrestha
- 1 Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) , Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Christine G Parks
- 1 Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) , Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Whitney S Goldner
- 2 Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Freya Kamel
- 1 Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) , Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - David M Umbach
- 3 Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, NIEHS , Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Mary H Ward
- 4 Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute , Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Catherine C Lerro
- 4 Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute , Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Stella Koutros
- 4 Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute , Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Jonathan N Hofmann
- 4 Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute , Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Laura E Beane Freeman
- 4 Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute , Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Dale P Sandler
- 1 Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) , Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
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Mwabulambo SG, Mrema EJ, Vera Ngowi A, Mamuya S. Health Symptoms Associated with Pesticides Exposure among Flower and Onion Pesticide Applicators in Arusha Region. Ann Glob Health 2018; 84:369-379. [PMID: 30835378 PMCID: PMC6748213 DOI: 10.29024/aogh.2303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pesticides are extensively used in agriculture to control harmful pests and prevent crop yield losses or product damage. In Tanzania several studies have been conducted on health effects of pesticides on agricultural workers. However, there are few studies on neurological health symptoms associated with pesticide exposure in flower and onion farms. OBJECTIVE The objective of this cross-sectional study was to assess health symptoms associated with pesticide exposure among flower and onion pesticide applicators in the Arusha region, Tanzania. METHODS Data on demographic variables and health symptoms associated with pesticide exposure were collected from 140 males who were employed in spraying pesticides on flower and onion farms in Arusha, Meru and Karatu districts between April and May 2017. The study participants were interviewed using a structured questionnaire with questions focusing sociodemographic characteristics, occupation, pesticide exposure, common type of pesticide used in the area and neurological symptoms experienced during and after pesticide spraying. To determine the intensity of pesticide exposure, acetylcholinesterase assay was done by using the Test-mate Model 400 device with a photometric sensor. RESULTS Ninety-five percent of pesticide applicators reported handling organophosphate pesticides. Body weakness was the most frequently reported neurological symptom (57.1%) followed by perspiration and headache (40.7%), poor appetite and depression (29.3%) and irritation (26.4%). About 27% of pesticide applicators had an acetylcholinesterase level below the limit value. CONCLUSION A high proportion of neurological health symptoms and cholinesterase test depression was noted among pesticide applicators in both farms. There is a need to conduct further studies to ascertain causality for such high instances of neurological symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suten Geofrey Mwabulambo
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, TZ
| | - Ezra Jonathan Mrema
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, TZ
| | - Aiwerasia Vera Ngowi
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, TZ
| | - Simon Mamuya
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, TZ
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Buralli RJ, Ribeiro H, Mauad T, Amato-Lourenço LF, Salge JM, Diaz-Quijano FA, Leão RS, Marques RC, Silva DS, Guimarães JRD. Respiratory Condition of Family Farmers Exposed to Pesticides in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2018; 15:ijerph15061203. [PMID: 29890615 PMCID: PMC6025513 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15061203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2018] [Revised: 05/29/2018] [Accepted: 06/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Pesticide exposure is a growing public health concern. Although Brazil is the world’s largest consumer of pesticides, only a few studies have addressed the health effects among farmers. This study aimed to evaluate whether pesticide exposure is associated with respiratory outcomes among rural workers and relatives in Brazil during the crop and off-seasons. Family farmers (82) were interviewed about occupational history and respiratory symptoms, and cholinesterase tests were conducted in the crop-season. Spirometry was performed during the crop and off-season. Respiratory outcomes were compared between seasons and multiple regressions analysis were conducted to search for associations with exposure indicators. Participants were occupationally and environmentally exposed to multiple pesticides from an early age. During the crop and off-season, respectively, they presented a prevalence of 40% and 30.7% for cough, 30.7% and 24% for nasal allergies, and 24% and 17.3% for chest tightness. Significant associations between spirometry impairments and exposure indicators were found both during the crop and off-season. These findings provide complementary evidence about the association of pesticide exposure with adverse respiratory effects among family farmers in Brazil. This situation requires special attention as it may increase the risk of pulmonary dysfunctions, and the morbidity and mortality burden associated with these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael J Buralli
- Departamento de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Saúde Pública, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Dr Arnaldo, 715, São Paulo, SP 01246-904, Brazil.
| | - Helena Ribeiro
- Departamento de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Saúde Pública, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Dr Arnaldo, 715, São Paulo, SP 01246-904, Brazil.
| | - Thais Mauad
- Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Dr Arnaldo, 455, sala 1155, São Paulo, SP 01246-903, Brazil.
| | - Luís F Amato-Lourenço
- Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Dr Arnaldo, 455, sala 1155, São Paulo, SP 01246-903, Brazil.
| | - João M Salge
- Pneumologia, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Dr Enéas Carvalho de Aguiar, 44-Bloco II, 5 andar, São Paulo, SP 05403000, Brazil.
| | - Fredi A Diaz-Quijano
- Departamento de Epidemiologia, Faculdade de Saúde Pública, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Dr Arnaldo, 715, São Paulo, SP 01246-904, Brazil.
| | - Renata S Leão
- Centro de Tecnologia em Nanomateriais-CTNANO, Rua Prof. José Vieira de Mendonça, 1000, Belo Horizonte, MG 31310-260, Brazil.
| | - Rejane C Marques
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro-Campus Macaé, Av. Aloísio da Silva Gomes, 50, Macaé, RJ 27930-560, Brazil.
| | - Daniele S Silva
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho 373-Bloco G-CCS, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil.
| | - Jean Remy Davée Guimarães
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho 373-Bloco G-CCS, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil.
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Nakubulwa S, Kusiima J, Kadobera D, Mutyoba JN, Ario AR, Zhu BP. Acute Metam Sodium Poisoning Caused by Occupational Exposure at a Flower Farm — Uganda, October 2016. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2018; 67:414-417. [PMID: 29649189 PMCID: PMC5898219 DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.mm6714a2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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Grillo Pizarro Á, Achú Peralta E, Muñoz-Quezada MT, Lucero Mondaca B. [Exposure to organophosphate pesticides and peripheral polyneuropathy in workers from Maule Region, Chile]. Rev Esp Salud Publica 2018; 92:e201803006. [PMID: 29553128] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2017] [Accepted: 02/23/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Organophosphate pesticides (OP) are used massively for their low cost, low environmental persistence and high effectiveness in insect pest control, however, agricultural workers, when exposed to OP, have negative consequences on their health mainly neurological. For the first time, a research is reported in a Latin American population that studied the association between labor exposure to OP and the presence of peripheral polyneuropathy in agricultural workers. The aim of the study was to estimate the relationship between occupational exposure to organophosphate pesticides (OP) and presence of peripheral polyneuropathy in workers in the Maule Region, Chile. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study with 55 agricultural workers exposed to OP and 58 non-agricultural workers not exposed. It was applied a test for the detection of peripheral polyneuropathy through pallesthetic threshold assessment by on-off method. To estimate the relationship between exposure to OP pesticides and peripheral polyneuropathy, we used a multiple logistic regression model (95% confidence interval). RESULTS 26% of the total sample had polyneuropathy, with 38% positive cases for the exposed group and 14% for the non-exposed group. The risk of developing peripheral polyneuropathy was 3.6 times higher in workers exposed to OP than in non-exposed workers. CONCLUSIONS There is a positive association between the presence of peripheral polyneuropathy and chronic occupational exposure to OP, adjusting for age and sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ángela Grillo Pizarro
- Departamento de Kinesiología, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca. Chile
| | - Eduardo Achú Peralta
- Departamento de Kinesiología, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca. Chile
| | - María Teresa Muñoz-Quezada
- Departamento de Psicología, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca. Chile
- Centro de Investigación en Neuropsicología y Neurociencias Cognitivas, Universidad Católica del Maule. Chile
| | - Boris Lucero Mondaca
- Departamento de Psicología, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca. Chile
- Centro de Investigación en Neuropsicología y Neurociencias Cognitivas, Universidad Católica del Maule. Chile
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18
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Montgomery MP, Postel E, Umbach DM, Richards M, Watson M, Blair A, Chen H, Sandler DP, Schmidt S, Kamel F. Pesticide Use and Age-Related Macular Degeneration in the Agricultural Health Study. Environ Health Perspect 2017; 125:077013. [PMID: 28886597 PMCID: PMC5744702 DOI: 10.1289/ehp793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2016] [Revised: 03/17/2017] [Accepted: 03/18/2017] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness in developed countries. Few studies have investigated its relationship to environmental neurotoxicants. In previous cross-sectional studies, we found an association between pesticide use and self-reported retinal degeneration. OBJECTIVE We evaluated the association of pesticide use with physician-confirmed incident AMD. METHODS The Agricultural Health Study (AHS) is a prospective cohort of pesticide applicators and their spouses enrolled from 1993-1997 in Iowa and North Carolina. Cohort members reported lifetime use of 50 specific pesticides at enrollment. Self-reports of incident AMD during follow-up through 2007 were confirmed by reports from participants' physicians and by independent evaluation of retinal photographs provided by the physicians. Confirmed cases (n=161) were compared with AHS cohort members without AMD (n=39,108). We estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) by logistic regression with adjustment for age, gender, and smoking. RESULTS AMD was associated with ever use of organochlorine [OR=2.7 (95% CI: 1.8, 4.0)] and organophosphate [OR=2.0 (95% CI: 1.3, 3.0)] insecticides and phenoxyacetate herbicides [OR=1.9 (95% CI: 1.2, 2.8)]. Specific pesticides consistently associated with AMD included chlordane, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), malathion, and captan; others with notable but slightly less consistent associations were heptachlor, diazinon, phorate, 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T), and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Results were similar for men and women. Some specific pesticides were associated with both early- and late-stage AMD, but others were associated with only one stage. CONCLUSIONS Exposures to specific pesticides may be modifiable risk factors for AMD. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP793.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martha P Montgomery
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) , Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Eric Postel
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University Medical School , Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - David M Umbach
- Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, NIEHS, NIH, DHHS , Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Mary Watson
- Social & Scientific Systems, Inc. , Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Aaron Blair
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, NIH, DHHS , Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Honglei Chen
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) , Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Dale P Sandler
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) , Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Silke Schmidt
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical School , Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Freya Kamel
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) , Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
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Meyer A, Sandler DP, Beane Freeman LE, Hofmann JN, Parks CG. Pesticide Exposure and Risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis among Licensed Male Pesticide Applicators in the Agricultural Health Study. Environ Health Perspect 2017; 125:077010. [PMID: 28718769 PMCID: PMC5744649 DOI: 10.1289/ehp1013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2016] [Revised: 01/19/2017] [Accepted: 02/13/2017] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The occupation of farming has been associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA); pesticides may account for this association, but there are few studies. OBJECTIVES We investigated associations between RA and use of pesticides in the Agricultural Health Study. METHODS The study sample was drawn from male pesticide applicators enrolled in 1993–1997 who provided questionnaire data at baseline and at least once during follow-up (over a median 18 y; interquartile range 16–19). Incident RA cases (n=220), confirmed by physicians or by self-reported use of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, were compared with noncases (n=26,134) who did not report RA. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using logistic regression, adjusting for enrollment age, state, smoking pack-years, and education. We evaluated the association of RA with the use of 46 pesticides and across 4 levels (never use and tertiles) of lifetime days of use for 16 pesticides with OR≥1.2 for ever use. RESULTS Incident RA was associated with ever use of fonofos (OR = 1.70; 95% CI: 1.22, 2.37), carbaryl (OR = 1.51; 95% CI: 1.03, 2.23), and chlorimuron ethyl (OR = 1.45; 95% CI: 1.01, 2.07) compared with never use. Statistically significant exposure–response trends in association with RA were observed for lifetime days of use of atrazine [ORtertile3= 1.62 (95% CI: 1.09, 2.40); ptrend=0.01] and toxaphene [ORtertile3= 2.42 (95% CI: 1.03, 5.68); ptrend=0.02]. Exposure–response was nonlinear for fonofos [ORtertile1= 2.27 (95% CI: 1.44, 3.57); ORtertile2= 0.98 (95% CI: 0.54, 1.80); ORtertile3= 2.10 (95% CI: 1.32, 3.36); ptrend=0.005] and suggestive for carbaryl (ptrend=0.053). CONCLUSIONS Our results provide novel evidence of associations between exposure to some pesticides and RA in male farmers. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP1013.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armando Meyer
- Occupational and Environmental Health Branch, Public Health Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro , Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Dale P Sandler
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Laura E Beane Freeman
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Jonathan N Hofmann
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Christine G Parks
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
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Cortés-Iza SC, Rodríguez AI, Prieto-Suarez E. Evaluación de parámetros hematológicos en trabajadores expuestos a pesticidas organofosforados, carbamatos y piretroides, Cundinamarca 2016-2017. Rev Salud Publica (Bogota) 2017; 19:468-474. [PMID: 30183850 DOI: 10.15446/rsap.v19n4.68092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2015] [Accepted: 06/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Objetivo Determinar las alteraciones hematotóxicas a través de una exploración clínica y paraclínica, en trabajadores que por su oficio se exponen a pesticidas organofosforados, carbamatos y piretroides (POCP), en procesos de producción, envase, distribución y fumigación, en el departamento de Cundinamarca Colombia.Metodología Se realizó un estudio epidemiológico descriptivo de corte transversal. Se realizó un análisis univariado, bivariado y multivariado. La muestra se conforma por 92 trabajadores de seis empresas, la mayoría entre los 18 y 30 años, de los cuales el 61 % son hombres y el 39 % mujeres, 71 % se desempeñan en el área operativa y 29 % en el área administrativa.Resultados Es de resaltar que se tienen hallazgos en la exploración clínica en el 17 % del grupo participante, solo el 2 % presenta la colinesterasa eritrocitaria por fuera del rango de referencia. Los parámetros hematológicos como el frotis de sangre periférica (FSP) presentan valores por fuera de los rangos en el 15 % y el cuadro hemático (CH) tiene valores por fuera de los rangos en el 47 % de las personas.Discusión Los resultados sugieren que existen alteraciones hematológicas en este grupo y que posiblemente podrían estar asociadas con la exposición crónica a POCP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra C Cortés-Iza
- SC: MD. Specialist in Occupational Medicine. M. Sc. Toxicology. Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine. Universidad Nacional de Colombia. Bogotá, Colombia.
| | - Alba I Rodríguez
- AR: MD. Specialist in Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine. M. Sc. Clinical Toxicology. Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine. Universidad Nacional de Colombia. Bogotá, Colombia.
| | - Edgar Prieto-Suarez
- EP: MD. Electronic Engineer. Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine. Universidad Nacional de Colombia. Bogotá, Colombia.
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França DMVR, Bender Moreira Lacerda A, Lobato D, Ribas A, Ziliotto Dias K, Leroux T, Fuente A. Adverse effects of pesticides on central auditory functions in tobacco growers. Int J Audiol 2017; 56:233-241. [PMID: 27869513 DOI: 10.1080/14992027.2016.1255787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of exposure to pesticides on the central auditory functions (CAF) of Brazilian tobacco growers. DESIGN This was a cross-sectional study carried out between 2010 and 2012. Participants were evaluated with two behavioural procedures to investigate CAF, the random gap detection test (RGDT) and the dichotic digit test in Portuguese (DDT). STUDY SAMPLE A total of 22 growers exposed to pesticides (study group) and 21 subjects who were not exposed to pesticides (control group) were selected. RESULTS No significant differences between groups were observed for pure-tone thresholds. A significant association between pesticide exposure and the results for RGDT and DDT was found. Significant differences between pesticide-exposed and nonexposed subjects were found for RGDT frequency average and DDT binaural average, when including age and hearing level as covariates. Age was significantly associated with RGDT frequency average, DDT left ear score, DDT binaural average and DDT right ear advantage. Hearing levels were not significantly associated with any of the test scores. The relative risk of failing the DDT and RGDT for the study group was 1.88 (95% CI: 1.10-3.20) and 1.74 (95% CI: 1.06-2.86), respectively, as compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS The results showed that tobacco growers exposed to pesticides exhibited signs of central auditory dysfunction characterised by decrements in temporal processing and binaural integration processes/abilities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Diolen Lobato
- b Universidade Tuiuti do Paraná , Curitiba , Brazil , and
| | - Angela Ribas
- b Universidade Tuiuti do Paraná , Curitiba , Brazil , and
| | | | - Tony Leroux
- d Université de Montréal , Montreal , Canada
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Medda E, Santini F, De Angelis S, Franzellin F, Fiumalbi C, Perico A, Gilardi E, Mechi MT, Marsili A, Citroni A, Leandri A, Mantovani A, Vitti P, Olivieri A. Iodine nutritional status and thyroid effects of exposure to ethylenebisdithiocarbamates. Environ Res 2017; 154:152-159. [PMID: 28073049 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2016.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [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: 08/25/2016] [Revised: 11/29/2016] [Accepted: 12/21/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Italy is still characterized by a mild iodine deficiency and is among the most intensive users of chemical products for agriculture in Europe. The aim of this study was i) to evaluate thyroid effects of exposure to mancozeb, a fungicide widely used in agriculture, in a sample of Italian grapevine workers, and ii) to verify whether the iodine intake may modulate the risk of thyroid disruption due to the mancozeb metabolite ethylenthiourea (ETU). METHODS One hundred seventy-seven occupationally exposed male workers (29 from Chianti, a mild iodine deficient area, and 148 from Bolzano an iodine sufficient province) and 74 non-occupationally exposed male controls (34 from Chianti and 40 from Bolzano) were enrolled in the study. Serum biomarkers of thyroid function, as well as urinary iodine and ETU concentrations were assessed. Moreover all the recruited subjects underwent clinical examination and thyroid ultrasound. RESULTS Multivariate comparisons showed lower mean serum levels of FT4 in Chianti-workers as compared to Bolzano-workers. Moreover, an increased urinary iodine excretion (>250µg/L) was more frequently found among more exposed workers (ETU>20µg/L) than among less exposed ones and this effect was more pronounced in Chianti- than in Bolzano-workers. Chianti-workers also showed a significantly higher frequency of very low thyroid volume (≤6.0ml) as compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS These findings showed a mild thyroid disrupting effect due to occupational exposure to mancozeb, more pronounced in workers residing in an area characterized by a mild to moderate iodine deficiency as compared to workers residing in an area covered by a long-lasting iodine prophylaxis program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuela Medda
- National Centre for Epidemiology Surveillance and Health Promotion, Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Ferruccio Santini
- Endocrinology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Simona De Angelis
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Enzo Gilardi
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Alessandro Marsili
- Endocrinology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | - Alberto Mantovani
- Department of Food Safety and Veterinary Public Health, Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Vitti
- Endocrinology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Antonella Olivieri
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
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Sekhotha MM, Monyeki KD, Sibuyi ME. Exposure to Agrochemicals and Cardiovascular Disease: A Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2016; 13:229. [PMID: 26901215 PMCID: PMC4772249 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph13020229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2015] [Revised: 02/01/2016] [Accepted: 02/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: In the agricultural world there is a continuous loss of food, fiber and other commodities due to pests, disease and weeds before harvesting time. These losses had create lots of financial burden to the farm owners that might lead to shutting down of their daily business. Worldwide, there is an overall very high loss of agricultural products due to weeds growth alone. To counteract this problem most farmers resort to the use of agrochemicals to increase their production but compromising the health of their farmworkers. The purpose of the study will be to assess the relationship between the agrochemical particles and cardiovascular diseases among farmworkers. Method: Non-systematic review was used to collect data. The following database were use: Medline, EBSCO, and Science Direct to search for the existing journal articles. Results: This study addresses the relationship between agrochemicals particles and cardiovascular diseases in the farming industries using literature review. Discussion: Other researchers had already done an extensive research on the pathway of potential mechanisms linking the ultrafine particulate matter to cardiovascular diseases. The outcomes of those investigations were the clinical results of events that might lead to the development of myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure (CHF), stroke, arrhythmia and sudden death. Xenobiotic compounds that maybe implicated in the pathophysiology of human cardiovascular diseases, will be examined and included in this study. There is compelling evidence suggesting that toxic free radicals of pesticides play an important role in human health. Conclusion: There is a close relationship between agrochemicals particle and cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matome M Sekhotha
- Department of Physiology and Environmental Health, School of Molecular Science and Agriculture, University of Limpopo (Mankweng Campus), Private bag X 1106, Sovenga 0727, South Africa.
| | - Kotsedi D Monyeki
- Department of Physiology and Environmental Health, School of Molecular Science and Agriculture, University of Limpopo (Mankweng Campus), Private bag X 1106, Sovenga 0727, South Africa.
| | - Masezi E Sibuyi
- Department of Physiology and Environmental Health, School of Molecular Science and Agriculture, University of Limpopo (Mankweng Campus), Private bag X 1106, Sovenga 0727, South Africa.
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Wallace RJ, Gropp J, Dierick N, Costa LG, Martelli G, Brantom PG, Bampidis V, Renshaw DW, Leng L. Risks associated with endotoxins in feed additives produced by fermentation. Environ Health 2016; 15:5. [PMID: 26768246 PMCID: PMC4714429 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-016-0087-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2015] [Accepted: 01/10/2016] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Increasingly, feed additives for livestock, such as amino acids and vitamins, are being produced by Gram-negative bacteria, particularly Escherichia coli. The potential therefore exists for animals, consumers and workers to be exposed to possibly harmful amounts of endotoxin from these products. The aim of this review was to assess the extent of the risk from endotoxins in feed additives and to calculate how such risk can be assessed from the properties of the additive. Livestock are frequently exposed to a relatively high content of endotoxin in the diet: no additional hazard to livestock would be anticipated if the endotoxin concentration of the feed additive falls in the same range as feedstuffs. Consumer exposure will be unaffected by the consumption of food derived from animals receiving endotoxin-containing feed, because the small concentrations of endotoxin absorbed do not accumulate in edible tissues. In contrast, workers processing a dusty additive may be exposed to hazardous amounts of endotoxin even if the endotoxin concentration of the product is low. A calculation method is proposed to compare the potential risk to the worker, based on the dusting potential, the endotoxin concentration and technical guidance of the European Food Safety Authority, with national exposure limits.
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Affiliation(s)
- R John Wallace
- Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen, Bucksburn, Aberdeen, AB21 9SB, UK.
| | | | - Noël Dierick
- Department of Animal Production, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Lucio G Costa
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Giovanna Martelli
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
| | | | - Vasileios Bampidis
- Division of Animal Production, Department of Agricultural Technology, School of Agricultural Technology, Food Technology and Nutrition, Alexander Technological Educational Institute (ATEITHE), 57400, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | | | - Lubomir Leng
- Institute of Animal Physiology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Kosice, Slovakia.
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Muñoz-Quezada MT, Lucero BA, Iglesias VP, Muñoz MP, Cornejo CA, Achu E, Baumert B, Hanchey A, Concha C, Brito AM, Villalobos M. Chronic exposure to organophosphate (OP) pesticides and neuropsychological functioning in farm workers: a review. Int J Occup Environ Health 2016; 22:68-79. [PMID: 27128815 PMCID: PMC4894272 DOI: 10.1080/10773525.2015.1123848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have demonstrated that acute poisoning from exposure to organophosphate (OP) pesticides in agricultural workers causes adverse health effects. However, neuropsychological and cognitive effects of chronic occupational exposure to OP pesticides remain controversial. OBJECTIVE To identify, evaluate, and systematize existing evidence regarding chronic exposure to OP pesticides and neuropsychological effects in farmworkers. METHODS Using the PubMed search engine, a systematic review process was implemented and replicated according to the PRISMA statement. Eligibility criteria included workers over 18 years of age exposed to OP pesticides as well as assessment of neuropsychological and cognitive functioning. Search terms were in English and Spanish languages and included organophosphate and workers. RESULTS Of the search results, 33 of 1,256 articles meet eligibility criteria. Twenty-four studies found an association between chronic occupational exposure to OP pesticides and low neuropsychological performance in workers. We classified nine of the studies to have study design limitations. Studies indicated occupational exposure to OP pesticides is linked to difficulties in executive functions, psychomotor speed, verbal, memory, attention, processing speed, visual-spatial functioning, and coordination. Nine studies find no relationship between OP pesticides exposure and neuropsychological performance. CONCLUSIONS Overall, evidence suggests an association between chronic occupational exposure to OP pesticides and neuropsychological effects. However, there is no consensus about the specific cognitive skills affected.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - María Pía Muñoz
- School of Public Health, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Eduardo Achu
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Catholic University of Maule, Talca, Chile
| | - Brittney Baumert
- College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Arianna Hanchey
- College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Carlos Concha
- Regional Secretary of Ministry of Health, Talca, Chile
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Saleeon T, Siriwong W, Maldonado-Pérez HL, Robson MG. Salivary cotinine levels as a biomarker for green tobacco sickness in dry tobacco production among Thai traditional tobacco farmers. Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig 2016; 67:121-130. [PMID: 27289507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dry Thai traditional tobacco (Nicotiana Tabacum L.) production involves a unique process: (a) picking tobacco leaves, (b) curing tobacco leaves, (c) removing stems of tobacco leaves, cutting leaves and putting on a bamboo rack, (d) drying in the sun, reversing a rack, spraying a tobacco extract to adjust the tobacco's color, storing dried tobacco and packaging. These processes may lead to adverse health effects caused by dermal absorption of nicotine such as Green Tobacco Sickness (GTS). OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between GTS resulting from dry Thai traditional tobacco production and salivary cotinine levels among Thai traditional tobacco farmers in Nan Province, Thailand. MATERIALS AND METHODS A prospective cohort study was conducted with 20 tobacco farmers and 20 non-tobacco farmers in Praputtabath Sub-District and Phatow Sub-District. The participants were randomly selected and interviewed using in person questionnaires with bi-weekly follow-up for 14 weeks. During each contact, the cotinine concentration was measured by NicAlert(TM) Saliva strip tests (NCTS). Descriptive statistics and Spearman's correlation (Spearman's rho) was used to examine the relationship between the variables at both 0.01 and 0.05 significant probability levels. RESULTS This study indicated that GTS from dry tobacco production has the potential to be considered a common occupational disease. This study demonstrated the usefulness of salivary cotinine level measurements by NCTS. The levels were well correlated with farmers who were employed in the dry Thai tobacco production industry. Salivary cotinine levels were also significantly correlated with the prevalence of GTS in the group of tobacco farmers at any given time within a crop season. However, the production process of dry Thai traditional tobacco is different from that evaluated in our previous studies where GTS and salivary cotinine level were correlated in workers working in humid conditions. CONCLUSIONS The long-term effects of such exposure should be investigated and health education programs with health risk exposure studies to increase awareness amongst farmers is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thanusin Saleeon
- College of Public Health Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Wattasit Siriwong
- College of Public Health Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Thai Fogarty ITREOH Center, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Mark Gregory Robson
- Thai Fogarty ITREOH Center, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, New Jersey, USA
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Andreotti G, Hoppin JA, Hou L, Koutros S, Gadalla SM, Savage SA, Lubin J, Blair A, Hoxha M, Baccarelli A, Sandler D, Alavanja M, Beane Freeman LE. Pesticide Use and Relative Leukocyte Telomere Length in the Agricultural Health Study. PLoS One 2015. [PMID: 26196902 PMCID: PMC4510132 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0133382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [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] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Some studies suggest that telomere length (TL) may be influenced by environmental exposures, including pesticides. We examined associations between occupational pesticide use reported at three time points and relative telomere length (RTL) in the Agricultural Health Study (AHS), a prospective cohort study of pesticide applicators in Iowa and North Carolina. RTL was measured by qPCR using leukocyte DNA from 568 cancer-free male AHS participants aged 31-94 years with blood samples collected between 2006 and 2008. Self-reported information, including pesticide use, was collected at three time points: enrollment (1993-1997) and two follow-up questionnaires (1998-2003, 2005-2008). For each pesticide, we evaluated cumulative use (using data from all three questionnaires), and more recent use (using data from the last follow-up questionnaire). Multivariable linear regression was used to examine the associations between pesticide use (ever, lifetime days, intensity-weighted lifetime days (lifetime days*intensity score)) and RTL, adjusting for age at blood draw and use of other pesticides. Of the 57 pesticides evaluated with cumulative use, increasing lifetime days of 2,4-D (p-trend=0.001), diazinon (p-trend=0.002), and butylate (p-trend=0.01) were significantly associated with shorter RTL, while increasing lifetime days of alachlor was significantly associated with longer RTL (p-trend=0.03). Only the association with 2,4-D was significant after adjustment for multiple comparisons. Of the 40 pesticides evaluated for recent use, malathion was associated with shorter RTL (p=0.03), and alachlor with longer RTL (p=0.03). Our findings suggest that leukocyte TL may be impacted by cumulative use and recent use of certain pesticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella Andreotti
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Jane A. Hoppin
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Lifang Hou
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Stella Koutros
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Shahinaz M. Gadalla
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Sharon A. Savage
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jay Lubin
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Aaron Blair
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Mirjam Hoxha
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Center of Molecular and Genetic Epidemiology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Baccarelli
- Laboratory of Environmental Epigenetics, Exposure Epidemiology and Risk Program, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Dale Sandler
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH/DHHS, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Michael Alavanja
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Laura E. Beane Freeman
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
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Mandic-Rajcevic S, Rubino FM, Vianello G, Fugnoli L, Polledri E, Mercadante R, Moretto A, Fustinoni S, Colosio C. Dermal exposure and risk assessment of tebuconazole applicators in vineyards. Med Lav 2015; 106:294-315. [PMID: 26154472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2015] [Revised: 06/12/2015] [Accepted: 06/15/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Models used in the pre-marketing evaluation do not cover all work scenarios and may over- or underestimate exposure. OBJECTIVES Uncertainties present in the extrapolation from pre-marketing to the post-marketing warrant exposure and risk assessment in real-life working conditions. METHODS Seven vineyard pesticide applicators were followed for a total of 12 work-days. A data collection sheet was developed specifically for this study. Workers' body exposure, hands, and head exposure were measured. Tebuconazole was analyzed using LC-MS/MS. RESULTS Median potential and actual body exposures were 22.41 mg/kg and 0.49 mg/kg of active substance applied, respectively. The median protection factor provided by the coverall was 98% (range: 90-99%). Hand exposure was responsible for 61% of total actual exposure, and was reduced by more than 50% in workers using gloves. The German Model underestimated the exposure in one work-day, and grossly overestimated it in 3 work-days. CONCLUSIONS High levels of potential body exposure were efficiently controlled by the cotton coverall. Use of personal protective devices, especially chemically-resistant gloves and head cover is the main determinant of skin protection. Field studies on pesticide exposure in real-life conditions and development of methods and tools for easier risk assessment are necessary to complement and confirm the risk assessment done in the authorization process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Mandic-Rajcevic
- Department of Health Sciences of the University of Milan, International Centre for Rural Health of the San Paolo Hospital and Laboratory for Analytical Toxicology and Metabolomics (LaTMA).
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Tongpoo A, Sriapha C, Wongvisawakorn S, Rittilert P, Trakulsrichai S, Wananukul W. OCCUPATIONAL CARBAMATE POISONING IN THAILAND. Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health 2015; 46:798-804. [PMID: 26867400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Carbamate insecticide is a leading cause of poisoning in Thailand. The objective of this study was to characterize the clinical manifestations and modes of occupational exposure in carbamate poisoning cases. We retrospectively studied all the cases of carbamate poisoning due to occupational exposure recorded in the Ramathibodi Poison Center Toxic Exposure Surveillance system during 2005 to 2010. Demographic data, clinical manifestations and severity were analyzed statistically. During the study period, 3,183 cases were identified, of which 170 (5.3%) were deemed to be due to occupational exposure. Ninety-six cases (56.5%) and 35 cases (20.6%) were poisoned by carbofuran and methomyl, respectively. Carbofuran is sold as a 3% grain and applied by sowing; methomyl is sold as a liquid and is applied by spraying. The majority of poisoned patients did not wear personal protective equipment (PPE) while applying the carbamates. The clinical manifestations of occupational carbofuran poisoning recorded were nausea and vomiting (82.3%), headaches (56.3%) and miosis (19.8%). The clinical manifestations of methomyl poisoning were nausea and vomiting (74.3%), headaches (57.1%) and palpitations (11.4%). Most patients in both groups had mild symptoms. Only one case in each group required endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation support. There were no deaths and the lengths of hospitalization ranged from 2 hours to 2 days. Occupational carbamate poisoning cases in our series were mostly mild and the patients recovered quickly. There were only rare cases of serious symptoms. Lack of knowledge and inadequate PPE were the major factors contributing to occupational poisoning. Educating agricultural workers about correct precautions and pesticide use could minimize this type of poisoning.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Migraineurs variably attribute the cause of their headache to tobacco exposure, whereas tobacco is often stated to cause headache-related disability worldwide. Given tobacco's physiological and emotional addictiveness and migraine's substantial economic impact, improved functionality can be difficult for those with migraine exposed to tobacco products. Environmental tobacco exposure in indoor spaces and workplaces is associated with exacerbation of headache. Avoidance of headache triggers is included in most comprehensive migraine treatment programs, yet tobacco awareness, avoidance, or coping is rarely emphasized as part of that regimen. OBJECTIVE The aims of this study were to examine the various types of tobacco products to which headache sufferers are exposed and the known basic mechanisms by which tobacco (nicotine) exposure promotes headache pain, and to review the extensive literature on tobacco related to headache with a detailed descriptive narrative providing the basis for conclusions regarding association of noncluster headache-related tobacco exposure. Tobacco-related recommendations are offered. METHODS MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Google Scholar databases were searched without yearly restriction through the date of submission (May 2015), using the MeSH terms "tobacco," "tobacco products," "smoking," "tobacco use," "headache," and "headache disorders." The selection of articles was not limited to English studies or to humans. Articles were excluded when "headache" and "tobacco" were not both mentioned with data provided. Case series were included. Bibliographies of all articles were screened for additional relevant articles. RESULTS Although migraineurs worldwide report tobacco smoke among triggers, it is rarely among the highest in frequency, and biases abound with predominantly noncontrolled retrospective data. Prospective population-based diary data are extremely limited, and no controlled trials exist to confirm a cause and effect for headache of any type. Although some studies are nonsupportive and even conflicting, headache, pain, and tobacco exposure currently remain associated. CONCLUSION Conflicting data support the validity of patient-reported environmental tobacco exposure as a headache trigger. Prospective controlled studies are needed, but unlikely to be performed, to determine the extent that tobacco influences the headache process, in addition to other under-recognized factors. Meanwhile, because of numerous other negative health effects, decreased tobacco exposure should be recommended to headache patients of all ages in hopes of decreasing disability and improving functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederick R Taylor
- Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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Aroonvilairat S, Kespichayawattana W, Sornprachum T, Chaisuriya P, Siwadune T, Ratanabanangkoon K. Effect of pesticide exposure on immunological, hematological and biochemical parameters in thai orchid farmers- a cross-sectional study. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2015; 12:5846-61. [PMID: 26024358 PMCID: PMC4483675 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph120605846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2015] [Accepted: 05/19/2015] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Various studies have found that many Thai orchid farmers used excessive amounts of pesticides without proper protective gear, but no toxicological study has been made. This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the immunological, hematological and biochemical statuses of these farmers. Sixty four orchid farmers and 60 controls were studied. Plasma cholinesterase activity, the percentage and absolute number of B lymphocytes (CD19+) were significantly lower in the farmers group (3966.32±1165.48 U/L, 11.61±4.09% and 312.26±164.83 cells/mm3, respectively) as compared to those of controls (5048.85±1139.40 U/L, 14.32±4.23%, 420.34±195.18 cells/mm3, respectively). There was a statistically significant higher level of serum IgE among the orchid farmers (0.031±0.011 mg/dL vs. 0.018±0.007 mg/dL) but not IgG, IgA and IgM, levels. Serum lysozyme level, lymphocyte proliferative responses to mitogens, hematological parameters and kidney function test, were not significantly different between the two groups. The liver function profiles showed significantly lower levels of albumin and serum protein in the farmer group. Thus frequent pesticide exposure resulted in subtle changes of some biological parameters. These changes, though may not be clinically significant, strongly indicated that caution in handing pesticides by these farmers is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soraya Aroonvilairat
- Center of Excellence on Environmental Health and Toxicology (EHT), and Laboratory of Immunology, Kampangpetch 6 Road, Lak-si, Bangkok 10210, Thailand.
| | - Wannapa Kespichayawattana
- Center of Excellence on Environmental Health and Toxicology (EHT), and Laboratory of Immunology, Kampangpetch 6 Road, Lak-si, Bangkok 10210, Thailand.
| | - Thiwaree Sornprachum
- Center of Excellence on Environmental Health and Toxicology (EHT), and Laboratory of Immunology, Kampangpetch 6 Road, Lak-si, Bangkok 10210, Thailand.
| | - Papada Chaisuriya
- Center of Excellence on Environmental Health and Toxicology (EHT), and Laboratory of Immunology, Kampangpetch 6 Road, Lak-si, Bangkok 10210, Thailand.
| | - Taweeratana Siwadune
- Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama VI Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
| | - Kavi Ratanabanangkoon
- Center of Excellence on Environmental Health and Toxicology (EHT), and Laboratory of Immunology, Kampangpetch 6 Road, Lak-si, Bangkok 10210, Thailand.
- Chulabhorn Graduate Institute, Kampangpetch 6 Road, Lak-si, Bangkok 10210, Thailand.
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Sorahan T. Multiple myeloma and glyphosate use: a re-analysis of US Agricultural Health Study (AHS) data. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2015; 12:1548-59. [PMID: 25635915 PMCID: PMC4344679 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph120201548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2014] [Accepted: 01/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
A previous publication of 57,311 pesticide applicators enrolled in the US Agricultural Health Study (AHS) produced disparate findings in relation to multiple myeloma risks in the period 1993-2001 and ever-use of glyphosate (32 cases of multiple myeloma in the full dataset of 54,315 applicators without adjustment for other variables: rate ratio (RR) 1.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.5 to 2.4; 22 cases of multiple myeloma in restricted dataset of 40,719 applicators with adjustment for other variables: RR 2.6, 95% CI 0.7 to 9.4). It seemed important to determine which result should be preferred. RRs for exposed and non-exposed subjects were calculated using Poisson regression; subjects with missing data were not excluded from the main analyses. Using the full dataset adjusted for age and gender the analysis produced a RR of 1.12 (95% CI 0.50 to 2.49) for ever-use of glyphosate. Additional adjustment for lifestyle factors and use of ten other pesticides had little effect (RR 1.24, 95% CI 0.52 to 2.94). There were no statistically significant trends for multiple myeloma risks in relation to reported cumulative days (or intensity weighted days) of glyphosate use. The doubling of risk reported previously arose from the use of an unrepresentative restricted dataset and analyses of the full dataset provides no convincing evidence in the AHS for a link between multiple myeloma risk and glyphosate use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Sorahan
- Institute of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
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Jayasumana C, Paranagama P, Agampodi S, Wijewardane C, Gunatilake S, Siribaddana S. Drinking well water and occupational exposure to Herbicides is associated with chronic kidney disease, in Padavi-Sripura, Sri Lanka. Environ Health 2015; 14:6. [PMID: 25596925 PMCID: PMC4417209 DOI: 10.1186/1476-069x-14-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2014] [Accepted: 01/13/2015] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) among paddy farmers in was first reported in 1994 and has now become most important public health issue in dry zone of Sri Lanka. The objective was to identify risk factors associated with the epidemic in an area with high prevalence. METHODS A case control study was carried out in Padavi-Sripura hospital in Trincomalee district. CKDu patients were defined using health ministry criteria. All confirmed cases (N = 125) fulfilling the entry criteria were recruited to the study. Control selection (N = 180) was done from people visiting the hospital for CKDu screening. Socio-demographic and data related to usage of applying pesticides and fertilizers were studied. Drinking water was also analyzed using ICP-MS and ELISA to determine the levels of metals and glyphosate. RESULTS Majority of patients were farmers (N = 107, 85.6%) and were educated up to 'Ordinary Level' (N = 92, 73.6%). We specifically analyzed for the effect modification of, farming by sex, which showed a significantly higher risk for male farmers with OR 4.69 (95% CI 1.06-20.69) in comparison to their female counterparts. In the multivariable analysis the highest risk for CKDu was observed among participants who drank well water (OR 2.52, 95% CI 1.12-5.70) and had history of drinking water from an abandoned well (OR 5.43, 95% CI 2.88-10.26) and spray glyphosate (OR 5.12, 95% CI 2.33-11.26) as a pesticide. Water analysis showed significantly higher amount of hardness, electrical conductivity and glyphosate levels in abandoned wells. In addition Ca, Mg, Ba, Sr, Fe, Ti, V and Sr were high in abandoned wells. Surface water from reservoirs in the endemic area also showed contamination with glyphosate but at a much lower level. Glyphosate was not seen in water samples in the Colombo district. CONCLUSION The current study strongly favors the hypothesis that CKDu epidemic among farmers in dry zone of Sri Lanka is associated with, history of drinking water from a well that was abandoned. In addition, it is associated with spraying glyphosate and other pesticides in paddy fields. Farmers do not use personnel protective equipments and wears scanty clothing due to heat when spraying pesticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Channa Jayasumana
- />Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura, 50008 Sri Lanka
| | - Priyani Paranagama
- />Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Colombo, Sri Lanka
| | - Suneth Agampodi
- />Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
| | | | - Sarath Gunatilake
- />Department of Health Science, California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, CA USA
| | - Sisira Siribaddana
- />Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
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Norkaew S, Lertmaharit S, Wilaiwan W, Siriwong W, Pérez HM, Robson MG. An association between organophosphate pesticides exposure and Parkinsonism amongst people in an agricultural area in Ubon Ratchathani Province, Thailand. Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig 2015; 66:21-26. [PMID: 25813069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Parkinson's disease (PD) is a ubiquitous disease. However, PDs prevalence in the population of agricultural communities lacks understanding and there has been no epidemiological study on the association between pesticides exposure factors and risk for PD. OBJECTIVES To investigate the potential association between organophosphate pesticides exposure and Parkinsonism by using a screening questionnaire in agricultural areas. MATERIAL AND METHODS Ninety elderly people living in agricultural areas participated in a cross-sectional study conducted at Tambon Hua-Rua Health Promoting Hospital in April 2014. Screening questionnaires for Parkinson's disease, Test-mate ChE (Model 400) for blood cholinesterase (ChE) levels of both blood enzymes erythrocyte cholinesterase (AChE), and plasma cholinesterase (PChE) were used as measurement tools. Descriptive statistics for frequencies and percentage distributions were used primarily to summarize and describe the data. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were calculated. RESULTS The age range of the participants was 50 to 59 years old, with an average age of 53.9±2.87 years. The majority of the participants were female (62.2%), 82.2% of respondents were farmers. Most of participants (76.7%) reported that they applied insecticides in their farms. Ninety persons participated and completed the 11-item questionnaire. Of these, 17 (18.9%) felt that they lost balance when turning or that they needed to take a few steps to turn right around and 16.7% of participants indicated that they felt the need to move slowly or stiffly. The study found the prevalence of abnormal AChE levels was 28.9% (95%CI=19.81-39.40) and 17.8% of PChE levels (95%CI=10.52-27.26). To predict Parkinsonism, AChE, and PChE level, with a cutoff score of 5 or higher there had to be a sensitivity of 0.31, specificity of 1.00, positive predictive value (PPV) of 1.00 and negative predictive value (NPV) of 0.78 for AChE. While PChE, the score value of 5 or more had a sensitivity of 0.19, specificity of 0.93, PPV of 0.38 and NPV of 0.84. CONCLUSIONS This study described an association between pesticides exposure and Parkinsonism. The questionnaire appears to be useful for Thai agriculturists as a screening tool for Parkinsonism and cholinesterase levels regarding to pesticides exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saowanee Norkaew
- College of Public Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Somrat Lertmaharit
- College of Public Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Preventive & Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Wattasit Siriwong
- College of Public Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Thai Fogarty ITREOH Center, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Héctor Maldonado Pérez
- School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Mark G Robson
- Thai Fogarty ITREOH Center, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
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Hanssen VM, Nigatu AW, Zeleke ZK, Moen BE, Bråtveit M. High Prevalence of Respiratory and Dermal Symptoms Among Ethiopian Flower Farm Workers. Arch Environ Occup Health 2015; 70:204-213. [PMID: 24428185 DOI: 10.1080/19338244.2013.853645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The flower industry is among the most important export industries in Ethiopia, employing more than 50,000 workers. The working conditions and health status among workers in Ethiopian flower industry are not documented. A questionnaire-based interview was conducted among 213 flower industry workers from 3 flower farms and 60 control workers from supermarkets from February to March 2012. A walk-through survey was also performed on the 3 flower farms. Interviewed flower farm workers have high prevalences of respiratory and dermal symptoms, which are rarely reported among controls. Female workers inside the greenhouses on the 3 flower farms have significantly more respiratory and dermal symptoms than workers outside the greenhouse, also when adjusting for age and education. Limited access to personal protection equipment (PPE) and unsafe pesticide routines are documented. This study indicates that working in these flower greenhouses might be associated with adverse health effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vegard Mjelde Hanssen
- a Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of Bergen , Bergen , Norway
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Del Prado-Lu JL. Insecticide residues in soil, water, and eggplant fruits and farmers' health effects due to exposure to pesticides. Environ Health Prev Med 2015; 20:53-62. [PMID: 25413584 PMCID: PMC4284253 DOI: 10.1007/s12199-014-0425-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2014] [Accepted: 11/11/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) is an important vegetable crop that is widely cultivated in the tropical and subtropical areas in Asia. Globally, the top three eggplant producers are China, India, and Egypt. The Philippines has been one of the top 10 eggplant-producing countries based on area planted and crop productivity. This study aims to describe the insecticide residues found in soil, water, and eggplant fruits in eggplant farms in Sta. Maria, Pangasinan. METHODS The study design is a cross sectional of randomly selected eggplant farms in Sta. Maria, Pangasinan. Soil, water, and eggplant fruits were collected and subjected to gas chromatography (Shimadzu) analysis for multi-pesticide residues. RESULTS Farmers from Sta. Maria, Pangasinan were found to be applying a broad spectrum of insecticides on their eggplant crop. Soil samples from 11 (about 42%) out of the 26 farms tested positive for insecticide residues, six of which from four farms exceeded the acceptable maximum residue limit. These residues were profenofos, triazophos, chlorpyrifos, cypermethrin, and malathion. No insecticide residues were detected from water samples taken from the 26 farms. Cypermethrin and chlorpyrifos were the insecticide residues detected in eggplant fruit samples. A maximum of 20% of the eggplant samples tested positive for insecticide residues. In the eggplant fruit study, all farmers have been using Prevathon(®) for 24 years at a rate of 10 ml/application, and Malathion(®) for 25 years at about 16.5 ml/application, respectively equivalent to 0.24 liter-years and 0.413 liter-years of exposure. Similarly, to the findings in the soil and water study, although Brodan(®) and Magnum(®) were not prevalently applied, the farmers' liter-years of exposure to these insecticides, and their active ingredients, were highest at about 18.92 and 10.0, respectively. The farmers and farm workers in the soil and water study reported experiencing itchiness of the skin (63.8%), redness of the eyes (29.3%), muscle pains (27.6%), and headaches (27.6%), as being related to their pesticide exposure. CONCLUSION In summary, a maximum of 20% of the eggplant samples tested positive for insecticide residues at any one stage of sampling done. The farmers and farm workers also reported of pesticide-related illnesses but none of them sought any medical attention. Intervention to reduce the farmers' pesticide exposure can focus on the risk factors identified, primarily the toxicity of pesticides used, the unsafe application practices, and the adverse health effects of pesticide exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinky Leilanie Del Prado-Lu
- Institute of Health Policy and Development Studies, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila, NIH Bldg, P. Gil St., UP Manila, Taft Avenue, 1100, Manila, Philippines,
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Hofmann JN, Beane Freeman LE, Lynch CF, Andreotti G, Thomas KW, Sandler DP, Savage SA, Alavanja MC. The Biomarkers of Exposure and Effect in Agriculture (BEEA) Study: Rationale, Design, Methods, and Participant Characteristics. J Toxicol Environ Health A 2015; 78:1338-47. [PMID: 26555155 PMCID: PMC4674328 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2015.1091414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Agricultural exposures including pesticides, endotoxin, and allergens have been associated with risk of various cancers and other chronic diseases, although the biological mechanisms underlying these associations are generally unclear. To facilitate future molecular epidemiologic investigations, in 2010 the study of Biomarkers of Exposure and Effect in Agriculture (BEEA) was initiated within the Agricultural Health Study, a large prospective cohort in Iowa and North Carolina. Here the design and methodology of BEEA are described and preliminary frequencies for participant characteristics and current agricultural exposures are reported. At least 1,600 male farmers over 50 years of age will be enrolled in the BEEA study. During a home visit, participants are asked to complete a detailed interview about recent agricultural exposures and provide samples of blood, urine, and (since 2013) house dust. As of mid-September 2014, in total, 1,233 participants have enrolled. Most of these participants (83%) were still farming at the time of interview. Among those still farming, the most commonly reported crops were corn (81%) and soybeans (74%), and the most frequently noted animals were beef cattle (35%) and hogs (13%). There were 861 (70%) participants who reported occupational pesticide use in the 12 months prior to interview; among these participants, the most frequently noted herbicides were glyphosate (83%) and 2,4-D (72%), and most commonly reported insecticides were malathion (21%), cyfluthrin (13%), and permethrin (12%). Molecular epidemiologic investigations within BEEA have the potential to yield important new insights into the biological mechanisms through which these or other agricultural exposures influence disease risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan N. Hofmann
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD
| | | | | | - Gabriella Andreotti
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD
| | - Kent W. Thomas
- National Exposure Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC
| | - Dale P. Sandler
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC
| | - Sharon A. Savage
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD
| | - Michael C. Alavanja
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD
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Faria NMX, Fassa AG, Meucci RD, Fiori NS, Miranda VI. Occupational exposure to pesticides, nicotine and minor psychiatric disorders among tobacco farmers in southern Brazil. Neurotoxicology 2014; 45:347-54. [PMID: 24875484 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2014.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2014] [Revised: 05/13/2014] [Accepted: 05/15/2014] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Exposure to pesticides has been associated with psychiatric problems among farm workers, although there is still controversy as to chemical types, intensity and forms of exposure that represent risk factors for neuropsychological problems. Furthermore, tobacco workers are exposed to dermal absorption of nicotine, although its effect on mental health has not yet been studied. OBJECTIVES To identify the prevalence of minor psychiatric disorders (MPD) among tobacco farmers and associated factors, paying special attention to pesticide and nicotine exposure. METHODS This is a cross-sectional study with a representative sample of tobacco growers, characterizing economic indicators of the farms, socio-demographic factors, lifestyle habits and occupational exposures. Multivariate analysis was performed using a hierarchical Poisson regression model. RESULTS A total of 2400 tobacco farmers were assessed and MPD prevalence was 12%. MPD was higher among women (PR 1.4), workers aged 40 or over, tenants/employees (PR 1.8) and those who reported having difficulty in paying debts (PR 2.0). Low socioeconomic status was inversely associated with MPD prevalence. Tasks involving dermal exposure to pesticides showed risk varying between 35% and 71%, whereas tobacco growers on farms using organophosphates had 50% more risk of MPD than those not exposed to this kind of pesticide. The number of pesticide poisoning and green tobacco sickness episodes showed linear association with MPD. CONCLUSIONS The study reinforces the evidence of the association between pesticide poisoning and mental health disorders. It also points to increased risk of MPD from low socioeconomic status, dermal pesticide exposure as well as from exposure to organophosphates. Furthermore, the study reveals intense nicotine exposure as a risk for tobacco farmers' mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neice Muller Xavier Faria
- Postgraduate Program in Epidemiology, Social Medicine Department, Pelotas Federal University, RS, Brazil.
| | - Anaclaudia Gastal Fassa
- Postgraduate Program in Epidemiology, Social Medicine Department, Pelotas Federal University, RS, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Dalke Meucci
- Postgraduate Program in Epidemiology, Social Medicine Department, Pelotas Federal University, RS, Brazil
| | - Nadia Spada Fiori
- Postgraduate Program in Epidemiology, Social Medicine Department, Pelotas Federal University, RS, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Iribarrem Miranda
- Postgraduate Program in Epidemiology, Social Medicine Department, Pelotas Federal University, RS, Brazil
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Kumar S, Khodoun M, Kettleson EM, McKnight C, Reponen T, Grinshpun SA, Adhikari A. Glyphosate-rich air samples induce IL-33, TSLP and generate IL-13 dependent airway inflammation. Toxicology 2014; 325:42-51. [PMID: 25172162 PMCID: PMC4195794 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2014.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2014] [Revised: 08/06/2014] [Accepted: 08/24/2014] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Several low weight molecules have often been implicated in the induction of occupational asthma. Glyphosate, a small molecule herbicide, is widely used in the world. There is a controversy regarding a role of glyphosate in developing asthma and rhinitis among farmers, the mechanism of which is unexplored. The aim of this study was to explore the mechanisms of glyphosate induced pulmonary pathology by utilizing murine models and real environmental samples. C57BL/6, TLR4-/-, and IL-13-/- mice inhaled extracts of glyphosate-rich air samples collected on farms during spraying of herbicides or inhaled different doses of glyphosate and ovalbumin. The cellular response, humoral response, and lung function of exposed mice were evaluated. Exposure to glyphosate-rich air samples as well as glyphosate alone to the lungs increased: eosinophil and neutrophil counts, mast cell degranulation, and production of IL-33, TSLP, IL-13, and IL-5. In contrast, in vivo systemic IL-4 production was not increased. Co-administration of ovalbumin with glyphosate did not substantially change the inflammatory immune response. However, IL-13-deficiency resulted in diminished inflammatory response but did not have a significant effect on airway resistance upon methacholine challenge after 7 or 21 days of glyphosate exposure. Glyphosate-rich farm air samples as well as glyphosate alone were found to induce pulmonary IL-13-dependent inflammation and promote Th2 type cytokines, but not IL-4 for glyphosate alone. This study, for the first time, provides evidence for the mechanism of glyphosate-induced occupational lung disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudhir Kumar
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Marat Khodoun
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA; Division of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Eric M Kettleson
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Christopher McKnight
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Tiina Reponen
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Sergey A Grinshpun
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Atin Adhikari
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA; Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30460, USA.
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Alavanja MCR, Hofmann JN, Lynch CF, Hines CJ, Barry KH, Barker J, Buckman DW, Thomas K, Sandler DP, Hoppin JA, Koutros S, Andreotti G, Lubin JH, Blair A, Beane Freeman LE. Non-hodgkin lymphoma risk and insecticide, fungicide and fumigant use in the agricultural health study. PLoS One 2014; 9:e109332. [PMID: 25337994 PMCID: PMC4206281 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0109332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [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: 03/10/2014] [Accepted: 08/30/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Farming and pesticide use have previously been linked to non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and multiple myeloma (MM). We evaluated agricultural use of specific insecticides, fungicides, and fumigants and risk of NHL and NHL-subtypes (including CLL and MM) in a U.S.-based prospective cohort of farmers and commercial pesticide applicators. A total of 523 cases occurred among 54,306 pesticide applicators from enrollment (1993-97) through December 31, 2011 in Iowa, and December 31, 2010 in North Carolina. Information on pesticide use, other agricultural exposures and other factors was obtained from questionnaires at enrollment and at follow-up approximately five years later (1999-2005). Information from questionnaires, monitoring, and the literature were used to create lifetime-days and intensity-weighted lifetime days of pesticide use, taking into account exposure-modifying factors. Poisson and polytomous models were used to calculate relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) to evaluate associations between 26 pesticides and NHL and five NHL-subtypes, while adjusting for potential confounding factors. For total NHL, statistically significant positive exposure-response trends were seen with lindane and DDT. Terbufos was associated with total NHL in ever/never comparisons only. In subtype analyses, terbufos and DDT were associated with small cell lymphoma/chronic lymphocytic leukemia/marginal cell lymphoma, lindane and diazinon with follicular lymphoma, and permethrin with MM. However, tests of homogeneity did not show significant differences in exposure-response among NHL-subtypes for any pesticide. Because 26 pesticides were evaluated for their association with NHL and its subtypes, some chance finding could have occurred. Our results showed pesticides from different chemical and functional classes were associated with an excess risk of NHL and NHL subtypes, but not all members of any single class of pesticides were associated with an elevated risk of NHL or NHL subtypes. These findings are among the first to suggest links between DDT, lindane, permethrin, diazinon and terbufos with NHL subtypes.
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MESH Headings
- Adult
- Aged
- Agricultural Workers' Diseases/chemically induced
- Agricultural Workers' Diseases/epidemiology
- Agriculture
- Fungicides, Industrial/toxicity
- Humans
- Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated/toxicity
- Insecticides/toxicity
- Iowa
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/chemically induced
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/epidemiology
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/pathology
- Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin/chemically induced
- Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin/epidemiology
- Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin/pathology
- Middle Aged
- Multiple Myeloma/chemically induced
- Multiple Myeloma/epidemiology
- Multiple Myeloma/pathology
- North Carolina
- Risk Factors
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael C. R. Alavanja
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jonathan N. Hofmann
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Charles F. Lynch
- College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Cynthia J. Hines
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Kathryn H. Barry
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Joseph Barker
- IMS, Inc, Calverton, Maryland, United States of America
| | | | - Kent Thomas
- National Exposure Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Dale P. Sandler
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Jane A. Hoppin
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Stella Koutros
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Gabriella Andreotti
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jay H. Lubin
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Aaron Blair
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Laura E. Beane Freeman
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
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Beard JD, Umbach DM, Hoppin JA, Richards M, Alavanja MCR, Blair A, Sandler DP, Kamel F. Pesticide exposure and depression among male private pesticide applicators in the agricultural health study. Environ Health Perspect 2014; 122:984-91. [PMID: 24906048 PMCID: PMC4154212 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.1307450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2013] [Accepted: 06/03/2014] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pesticide exposure may be positively associated with depression. Few previous studies have considered the episodic nature of depression or examined individual pesticides. OBJECTIVE We evaluated associations between pesticide exposure and depression among male private pesticide applicators in the Agricultural Health Study. METHODS We analyzed data for 10 pesticide classes and 50 specific pesticides used by 21,208 applicators enrolled in 1993-1997 who completed a follow-up telephone interview in 2005-2010. We divided applicators who reported a physician diagnosis of depression (n = 1,702; 8%) into those who reported a previous diagnosis of depression at enrollment but not follow-up (n = 474; 28%), at both enrollment and follow-up (n = 540; 32%), and at follow-up but not enrollment (n = 688; 40%) and used polytomous logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs. We used inverse probability weighting to adjust for potential confounders and to account for the exclusion of 3,315 applicators with missing covariate data and 24,619 who did not complete the follow-up interview. RESULTS After weighting for potential confounders, missing covariate data, and dropout, ever-use of two pesticide classes, fumigants and organochlorine insecticides, and seven individual pesticides-the fumigants aluminum phosphide and ethylene dibromide; the phenoxy herbicide (2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy)acetic acid (2,4,5-T); the organochlorine insecticide dieldrin; and the organophosphate insecticides diazinon, malathion, and parathion-were all positively associated with depression in each case group, with ORs between 1.1 and 1.9. CONCLUSIONS Our study supports a positive association between pesticide exposure and depression, including associations with several specific pesticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- John D Beard
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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Kapoor A. A train offers hope to Punjab's patients with cancer but it isn't enough. BMJ 2014; 349:g4484. [PMID: 25005259 DOI: 10.1136/bmj.g4484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Schinasi L, Leon ME. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and occupational exposure to agricultural pesticide chemical groups and active ingredients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2014; 11:4449-527. [PMID: 24762670 PMCID: PMC4025008 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph110404449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 148] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2014] [Revised: 03/31/2014] [Accepted: 04/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
This paper describes results from a systematic review and a series of meta-analyses of nearly three decades worth of epidemiologic research on the relationship between non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and occupational exposure to agricultural pesticide active ingredients and chemical groups. Estimates of associations of NHL with 21 pesticide chemical groups and 80 active ingredients were extracted from 44 papers, all of which reported results from analyses of studies conducted in high-income countries. Random effects meta-analyses showed that phenoxy herbicides, carbamate insecticides, organophosphorus insecticides and the active ingredient lindane, an organochlorine insecticide, were positively associated with NHL. In a handful of papers, associations between pesticides and NHL subtypes were reported; B cell lymphoma was positively associated with phenoxy herbicides and the organophosphorus herbicide glyphosate. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma was positively associated with phenoxy herbicide exposure. Despite compelling evidence that NHL is associated with certain chemicals, this review indicates the need for investigations of a larger variety of pesticides in more geographic areas, especially in low- and middle-income countries, which, despite producing a large portion of the world's agriculture, were missing in the literature that were reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah Schinasi
- Section of Environment and Radiation, International Agency for Research on Cancer 150, Cours Albert Thomas, 69372 Lyon Cedex 08, France.
| | - Maria E Leon
- Section of Environment and Radiation, International Agency for Research on Cancer 150, Cours Albert Thomas, 69372 Lyon Cedex 08, France.
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Sapbamrer R, Nata S. Health symptoms related to pesticide exposure and agricultural tasks among rice farmers from Northern Thailand. Environ Health Prev Med 2014; 19:12-20. [PMID: 23835647 PMCID: PMC3890077 DOI: 10.1007/s12199-013-0349-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2013] [Accepted: 06/18/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The objective of this cross-sectional study was to investigate health symptoms related to occupational pesticide exposure and agricultural tasks in rice farmers. METHODS Data on demographic variables and health symptoms associated with pesticide exposure were collected from 182 rice farmers (exposed subjects) and 122 non-farmers (controlled group) using interviews and measuring whole blood acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity during August and October 2012. RESULTS Rice farmers had a significantly lower median AChE activity than the controls (9,594 vs. 10,530 U/L, respectively) and a significantly higher prevalence of difficulty in breathing and chest pain [odds ratio (OR) 2.8, P < 0.01 and OR 2.5, P < 0.05, respectively]. The prevalence of dry throat and cramp was associated with those farmers who sprayed and mixed pesticides (OR 2.5 and 2.6 for dry throat, OR 2.5 and 2.9 for cramp, respectively; P < 0.01). The prevalence of numbness and diarrhea was associated with those farmers who scattered seed (OR 2.2, P < 0.01 and OR 3.6, P < 0.05, respectively). The prevalence of numbness and increasing anxiety was also associated with those farmers who harvested crops (OR 3.6, P < 0.01 and OR 3.0, P < 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that occupational pesticide exposure and agricultural tasks in the paddy field may be associated with the increasing prevalence of respiratory tract and muscle symptoms. This possibility warrants further investigation in more detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ratana Sapbamrer
- School of Medicine, University of Phayao, 19 Moo2, Mae Ka Subdistrict, Muang District, Phayao, 56000, Thailand,
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Liew Z, Wang A, Bronstein J, Ritz B. Job exposure matrix (JEM)-derived estimates of lifetime occupational pesticide exposure and the risk of Parkinson's disease. Arch Environ Occup Health 2014; 69:241-51. [PMID: 24499252 PMCID: PMC3916959 DOI: 10.1080/19338244.2013.778808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [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] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Studies that report an association between Parkinson's disease (PD) and occupational pesticide exposure often use self-reported exposure and none adjust for concomitant ambient pesticide exposure. For a population-based case-control study of PD conducted in California's heavily agricultural region, the authors developed a comprehensive job exposure matrix (JEM) to assess occupational exposure to pesticides. Relying on 357 incident cases and 750 population controls enrolled between 2001 and 2011, the authors estimated more than a 2-fold risk increase for PD among men classified as highly occupationally exposed. The authors also observed an exposure-response pattern and farming tasks with direct and intense pesticide exposures such as spraying and handling of pesticides resulted in greater risks than indirect bystander exposures. Results did not change after adjustment for ambient pesticide exposure. The authors provide further evidence that occupational pesticide exposure increases the risk of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeyan Liew
- Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California at Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Anthony Wang
- Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California at Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Jeff Bronstein
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Beate Ritz
- Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California at Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, California, USA
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Kharchenko OA, Balan HM, Bubalo NN, Mymrenko TV. [Oxidative stress and antioxidant therapy with alpha-lipoic acid inclusion in acute poisoning by herbicide based on 2,4-dichlorphenoxyacetic acid]. Lik Sprava 2014:140-145. [PMID: 24908976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
In patients with acute poisoning amine salt herbicide 2,4-D develops oxidative stress with simultaneous inhibition of intracellular and extracellular antioxidant factors. These changes are more pronounced with neurological disorders that occur in conjunction with a toxic damage of liver or heart. The inclusion of a comprehensive detoxification therapy alpha-lipoic acid not only promotes a more pronounced therapeutic effect but also an earlier recourse cytolytic syndrome, a marked recovery of levels of malondialdehyde and indices of antioxidant system (superoxide dismutase and ceruloplasmin) than for patients in the comparison group.
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47
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Semenenko VM, Korshun MM. [Professional risk assessment for modern pesticides during their application in the horticulture]. Lik Sprava 2014:133-140. [PMID: 24908975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The work conditions on application of modern pesticides Masai, Regalis and Bellis for apple orchards protection have been researched. We show that total risk of hazard influence of tebufenpyrad, prohexadione-calcium, pyraclostrobin and boscalid on agricultural workers under condition of complex entry in body through skin and respiratory tracts is permissible. We proved that application of studied preparations is not dangerous for workers in case of abidance of agrotechnical and hygienic regulations.
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Martino G, Gorini G, Aquilini F, Miligi L, Chellini E. [Tobacco farming in Italy receives more funds in comparison to tobacco control]. Epidemiol Prev 2014; 38:59-61. [PMID: 24736963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
In the European Union almost 300,000 tons of raw tobacco are produced every year, contributing for 4% of the world production. In Italy, tobacco crop produces around 90,000 tons/year and is concentrated in Veneto, Tuscany, Umbria and Campania Regions. In 1970, Common Market Organisation provided a virtually unlimited support for European tobacco production. After 2004, funds progressively has been cut by half, even though the other half has been given for restructuring or reconversion of tobacco farms through the Rural Development Plan. The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control recommends conversion of tobacco crops, although there are no effective measures. Tobacco production requires large quantities of chemicals (pesticides, growth regulators, fertilisers), with significant workers' exposure if applied without personal protective equipments. Pesticides may have genotoxic, teratogenic, immunotoxic, hormonal, and carcinogenic effects. Tobacco itself may cause also a disease called "Green tobacco sickness" syndrome, as a consequence of nicotine dermal absorption due to skin exposure to tobacco leaves. In Italy, financial resources for tobacco production and restructuring/conversion to other crops of previously tobacco planted fields are available. On the contrary, anti-smoking media interventions do not receive funds comparatively relevant as those for tobacco production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianrocco Martino
- Scuola di specializzazione in igiene e medicina preventiva, Università di Firenze
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Abstract
It is no exaggeration to claim that the 'diabetes epidemic' has become a 'runaway train' causing huge health and economic consequences, especially in the developing nations. Traditionally, the risk factors for diabetes have largely focused on genetics and lifestyle. Great emphasis is placed on lifestyle measures and finding novel pharmacological treatment options to combat diabetes, but there is increasing evidence linking environmental pollutants, especially pesticides, to the development of insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes. Pesticide use has increased dramatically worldwide and the effects of pesticides on glucose metabolism are too significant for a possible diabetogenic link to be dismissed. The aim of this review article was to assess the links between pesticides and human diabetes with the goal of stimulating further research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Swaminathan
- Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Apollo Speciality Hospital, Madurai, India
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Abstract
Pesticides are ubiquitous neurotoxicants, and several lines of evidence suggest that exposure may be associated with depression. Epidemiologic evidence has focused largely on organophosphate exposures, while research on other pesticides is limited. We collected detailed pesticide use history from farmers recruited in 1998-2000 in France. Among 567 farmers aged 37-78 years, 83 (14.6%) self-reported treatment or hospitalization for depression. On the basis of the reported age at the first such instance, we used adjusted Cox proportional hazards models to estimate hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals for depression (first treatment or hospitalization) by exposure to different pesticides. The hazard ratio for depression among those who used herbicides was 1.93 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.95, 3.91); there was no association with insecticides or fungicides. Compared with nonusers, those who used herbicides for <19 years and ≥19 years (median for all herbicide users, 19 years) had hazard ratios of 1.51 (95% CI: 0.62, 3.67) and 2.31 (95% CI: 1.05, 5.10), respectively. Similar results were found for total hours of use. Results were stronger when adjusted for insecticides and fungicides. There is widespread use of herbicides by the general public, although likely at lower levels than in agriculture. Thus, determining whether similar associations are seen at lower levels of exposure should be explored.
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