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Systematic Review of Pesticide Human Health Effects

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... We also include month and year fixed effects that control for seasonal illnesses or harvesting seasons. Our findings coincide with the medical literature and robustly indicate that the aerial spraying of glyphosate increases the probability of having dermatological and respiratory problems, as well as miscarriages (Sanborn et al., 2012;Sanborn et al., 2007;Cox 1995a;Sherret, 2005;Regidor et al., 2004;Solomon et al., 2007). These results are robust to different specifications of the empirical model and to the inclusion of a wide range of controls, including the extent of coca cultivation at the municipality level. ...
... Prior medical literature primarily consists of cross-sectional studies that compare the prevalence of health outcomes among those with and without previous exposure to herbicides (especially glyphosate) or laboratory animal experiments. Sanborn et al. (2012) and Sanborn et al. (2007) argue that herbicide use causes dermatological problems. They highlight multiple cross-sectional studies that demonstrate a higher prevalence of burns, irritations and skin redness in exposed groups. ...
... Animal studies documented in Cox (1995b) show decreased female fertility and lower birth weights following the ingestion of products that have been sprayed with glyphosate. Sanborn et al. (2012), Regidor et al. (2004), Sanborn et al. (2007), and Solomon et al. (2007) indicate that exposure to herbicides before conception is correlated with miscarriages during the first trimester of pregnancy. They also find that direct exposure of the father to large amounts of herbicides is linked to a greater risk of fetal death, an effect that increases if exposure took place within a three-month period preceding conception. ...
Article
This paper exploits variations in aerial spraying across time and space in Colombia and employs a panel of individual health records in order to study the causal effects of the aerial spraying of herbicides (glyphosate) on short-term health-related outcomes. Our results show that exposure to the herbicide used in aerial spraying campaigns increases the number of medical consultations related to dermatological and respiratory illnesses, as well as the number of miscarriages. These findings are robust to the inclusion of individual fixed effects, which compare the prevalence of these medical conditions for the same person under different levels of exposure to the herbicide used in the aerial spraying program over a period of 5 years. Also, our results are robust to controlling for the extent of illicit coca cultivation in the municipality of residence.
... Many pesticides taken up by humans via e. g. consuming treated food crops can negatively affect human health via a wide range of health endpoints (Hamilton and Crossley, 2004;Sanborn et al., 2004Sanborn et al., , 2007Lippmann, 2009). Hence, the present section aims at introducing a consistent approach for answering the following questions: (i) How can human intake of pesticides via ingestion of different food crops and related health impacts be characterized and evaluated in a transparent, consistent and concise way? (ii) What are the differences between crop-specific characterization factors from direct pesticide application to different food crops and generic characterization factors from the fractions lost to beyond the field boundaries during and after application? ...
... From the exposure, impacts on human health are estimated based on relationships between exposure levels and corresponding physical effects, such as cancer, commonly referred to as exposure-or dose-response relationships (ERF, DRF). However, in case of pesticides, information about ERF or DRF is only rarely available from other than pure occupational exposure studies (Alavanja et al., 2004;Sanborn et al., 2004). Hence, in the present assessment, effect factors from LCIA will be applied instead to arrive at the level of physical impacts in humans. ...
... For ethical reasons, randomized controlled trials are not performed with potentially harmful chemicals like pesticides . Consequently, we rely on different study designs with marked limitations as stated by Sanborn et al. (2004): (a) Most of the available studies are of occupational nature, i. e. they examine farmers, pesticide applicators, gardeners, and other occupational groups with higher exposures to pesticides than those of the general population. (b) Examined individuals are mostly adult males, which were subject to multiple exposures to various pesticides and other toxins and carcinogens such as diesel fumes, animal viruses, and cadmium. ...
Thesis
Technology assessments in Europe have mainly focused on air quality management with respect to energy conversion and road transport. However, other environmental media must also be considered to arrive at an integrated perspective for developing strategies towards more sustainability and an improved human welfare. Consequently, bioaccumulation of pollutants in the environment, in food crops and in animal food products leads to human ingestion exposure that must be accounted for. In addition, growing crops for use as energy, biofuels and non-energy raw materials becomes more and more important in the context of current policy. Unfortunately, only little is known about how the health of the general population is affected by current agriculture in Europe, especially with respect to the use of pesticides. Over the last three decades, European policy has developed towards a large legislation body regulating the marketing and use of pesticides as well as their residues in drinking water and various food items. Nonetheless, residues are still reported to reach levels where they can harm humans or the environment. Especially effects of pesticides on human health have lead to a continuously concerned general public. Existing regulations are therefore under constant revision by steadily evaluating the negative consequences of pesticide application based on continuously required scientific support. Thereby, evaluating exposure to pesticides and related health effects must build upon a deterministic understanding of the pathways from substance application via loss to the environment and uptake into the different food crops to finally human intake. However, current assessment tools are still challenged by the inherent complexity of plant uptake and translocation mechanisms as well as by an insufficient understanding of substance-specific chemical transformation, post-harvest food processing and health effects. The present work, hence, aims at improving existing health impact assessments of pesticide use by contrasting pathways of human exposure to pesticides. Main challenges were to consider characteristics of different food crops, to characterize individual pesticide-crop combinations and to simplify a complex dynamic model for incorporation into existing assessment tools to also account for the pesticide fraction that directly reaches the target crops. To address these challenges, a new operational modeling approach was developed for quantifying health impacts from exposure to pesticide residues in multiple directly treated food crops based on transparent matrix algebra. From analyzing its functioning and uncertainty, the system was parameterized for use in existing models, thereby keeping crops and substances disaggregated. In a case study, the new approach was applied to estimate health impacts and related damage costs caused by the five most extensively used pesticides in each of 25 European countries in 2003. Results indicate a high variation of impacts between countries as a function of the amount applied and substance toxicity. Total health impacts amount to 1672 DALY (disability-adjusted life years), to which the fraction reaching the target crops and the fraction lost to the environment during application contribute with 97% and 3%, respectively. Spain with 485, Italy with 442 and France with 370 DALY show the highest impacts per country. If translated into costs, damages amount to 67 million Euro in Europe in 2003. Results demonstrate the importance of considering pesticide residues in treated food crops for estimating overall human health impacts as integral part of evaluating current pesticide use in Europe.
... Both the number of toxicants in the environment and rates of toxin-related diseases have increased dramatically in the past 60 years, and countless published studies attest to a link between toxicants and health risks. For instance, comprehensive reviews highlight numerous studies which have identified a positive relationship between exposure to pesticides and the development of certain cancers, as well as adverse reproductive, metabolic and mental health effects (Sanborn et al. 2004,Maroni & Fait 1993 ). The 'Agricultural Health Study', a large prospective cohort study conducted in the United States in the 1990's also identified, among other things, cancer risks associated with direct exposure to pesticides and other agricultural agents (Alavanja et al. 2003 , Lee et al. 2007 , Alavanja et al. 2004 ). ...
... The study identified links between various pesticides and prostate, lung, rectal and colon cancers (Alavanja et al. 2003, Alavanja et al. 2004, Lee et al. 2007). More recently the Systematic Review of Pesticide Human Health Effects (Sanborn et al. 2004) assessed eighty three studies that met rigorous inclusion criteria. Studies with poor methodology (less than 4 on a 7-point scale) or those conducted on organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), which have been banned in many regions under the Stockholm Convention (DEH 2006), were excluded. ...
... Children are particularly vulnerable to the toxic effects of chemicals for a number of reasons; they exhibit more hand to mouth behaviour, they eat and drink more per kilogram of bodyweight than adults, their skin is more permeable and their livers do not metabolise chemicals as efficiently (Sanborn et al. 2004). However, levels of POPs such as organochlorines are known to increase with age and exposure suggesting bioaccumulation in tissues (Jandacek & Tso 2007, Nickerson 2006) which may suggest increased levels of certain toxicants in adults. ...
Article
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Over the past 60 years both the number of agricultural toxicants in use and rates of toxin-related diseases have increased dramatically, and countless studies attest to a link between the two. While data from residue surveys confirms higher levels of toxicants in conventionally farmed produce, few studies directly assess whether consuming organic produce results in a reduction in pesticide exposure in humans or confers any health benefits. Future research needs to confirm whether and to what extent agricultural toxicant levels vary between consumers of organic and conventional produce before attempting to draw any conclusions about the potential health implications of such differences.
... The review found a high level of consistency across multiple studies indicating a wide range of pesticide-related clinical and subclinical effects including significant positive associations between pesticide exposure and solid tumors, hematological cancers and genotoxic effects. In addition, pesticides were found to impact on mental and emotional functioning, the nervous system (causing neurodegenerative disease), and the reproductive system (causing birth defects, fertility, fetal death, and intrauterine growth retardation; Sanborn et al. 2004). ...
... They have less developed detoxification pathways-newborn infants have low levels of the enzyme paraoxanase-1, which detoxifies OC pesticides (Chen et al. 2003). Children also have a longer life expectancy, permitting greater time in which to develop diseases with long latency periods (Sanborn et al. 2004). These factors led to the 1996 revision of the USA Federal Fungicide, Insecticide and Rodenticide Act to include an additional 10-fold margin of safety for exposure to pesticide chemical residues in infants and children (Makris and Rowe 1998). ...
Article
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Organochorine (OCs) residues were measured in human breast milk samples from four Tunisian women. Month-mix samples composed of weekly collected breast milk samples were analyzed over the lactation period between 3 days after delivery and 10 months post-partum. The concentrations of dichlorodiphenytrichloroethane and its metabolites (DDTs), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), hexachlorocyclohexane isomers (HCHs), dieldrin, and 20 polychlorinated biphenyl congeners (PCBs) were determined by gas chromatography with electron capture detection. The variation of OC residue levels in human milk was investigated for each woman individually. The average p,p'-DDE and p,p'-DDT concentrations declined from 661- and 438-ng g(-1) fat basis at day 3 to 77- and 106-ng g(-1) fat basis after 8 months, respectively. No essential changes in HCB, HCHs, dieldrin, and total PCBs concentrations in human breast milk occurred over the lactation periods investigated; the concentrations remained either relatively constant or show no significant weak decrease.
... Excessive use of pesticide can cause a variety of human health problems for both farmers and consumers. Most of the health impacts from chronic exposure are cancers, reproductive and endocrine disruption, neurological damage, and immune system dysfunction (Miah et al. 2014;Sanborn M et al. 2004). In addition, consumers are affected by various types of food-borne diseases associated with pesticide contamination. ...
Article
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Vegetables are heavily sprayed and prone to retaining residues. The Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), Bangladesh has set up some projects to disseminate technologies among the farmers to reduce pesticide residues. Farmers are motivated to produce pesticide-free vegetables using vermin compost and other organic fertilizers. The study investigates consumers’ awareness and perceptions of pesticide residues in vegetables. A survey was conducted at the local market in Mymensingh, Gazipur, and Dhaka city. In total. 200 sample respondents were collected. Data were analyzed using descriptive methods. There was a substantial heterogeneity in preferences across consumers. The consumers were aware of the health risks associated with vegetables produced using pesticides and chemical fertilizers. More than 60 percent of respondents thought that vegetables are usually contaminated at the farm or production level using excessive pesticides. Most of the consumers knew the effects of pesticide-borne health risks and suggested to ban some pesticides and monitoring the use of others. Consumers considered pesticide residue-free vegetables as being safer, healthy, no harmful effects, better taste, more nutritive value, and good for the environment, and would like to pay a premium for those products. Media particularly television and newspapers can play an important role in creating awareness about food safety among the producers and consumers. Government programmes on food safety should be channeled through television and newspapers where the majority of the people get their information. Policy measures should include creating awareness concerning the relevance of production, and consumption through effective marketing strategies and educational awareness. Res. Agric. Livest. Fish. Vol. 11, No. 1, April 2024: 25-33
... Deteriorate human health: Foods that are produced by using pesticide consume for a longer period of time deteriorate the health. Sanborn et al. (2004) reported that food that has pesticide residue causes a direct effect on human health. According to scientists, there is no optimum concentration of pesticide in the food, which is required to have a bad effect on health; even a minute concentration can be harmful (Boobis et al., 2008). ...
... Recours est donc fait aux produits phytosanitaires (pesticides, engrais, régulateurs de croissance, défoliants…) pour accroître la viabilité des cultures et pour maximiser les rendements. Ces produits présentent des risques sanitaires pour les utilisateurs et constituent une source de pollution de l'environnement (Levi, 1999;Sanborn et al., 2004;Gnago et al., 2010). L'utilisation des pesticides n'est pas sans danger pour les populations riveraines. ...
Article
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The purpose of this study is to determine the level of contamination of lagoons Aghien and Potou by pesticides in aim to their use for drinking water production. The extraction method with cartridge C-18 followed by gas chromatography phase dosage coupled to a mass spectrometer allowed to highlight lagoons Aghien and Potou waters pollution by pesticides. Four families of pesticides constituted by triazines and metabolites, substituted ureas, carbamates and convulsivants were detected in both lagoons in concentrations widely superior to WHO guide values.In the lagoon Aghien, the respective averages of triazines and metabolites, substituted ureas, carbamates and convulsivants are 36.53 µg/L, 121.61µg/L, 1.09µg/L and 15µg/L and in lagoon Potou, they are 95.75µg/L, 283.67µg/L, 11.5µg/L et 172.80µg/L.The average of the total molecules detected is 72.43µg/L and 163.43µg/L respectively in the lagoon Aghien and in the lagoon Potou. Leaching waters of farmland bordering the lagoons, tributaries streams and wind are the main modes of transport of pesticides. The unofficial circuits of pesticides supply and the failure to respect the technical itineraries of products use contribute to aggravate pollution. Lagoons Aghien and Potou are unsuited to drinking water production. In view of their use, good agricultural practices are to be promoted in the region. RESUME L'objectif de cette étude est de déterminer le niveau de contamination des lagunes Aghien et Potou par les pesticides en vue de leur utilisation pour la production d'eau potable. La méthode d'extraction avec cartouche C-18 suivie du dosage par chromatographie en phase gazeuse couplée à un spectromètre de masse a permis de mettre en évidence la pollution des eaux des lagunes Aghien et Potou par des pesticides. Quatre familles de pesticides constituées de triazines etmétabolites, urées substituées, carbamates et convulsivants ont été détectées dans les deux lagunes à des concentrations largement supérieures aux valeurs guides de l'OMS. Dans la lagune Aghien, les moyennes respectives de triazines et métabolites, urées substituées, carbamates et convulsivants sont de 36,53µg/L, 121,61µg/L, 1,09µg/L et 15µg/L et dans la lagune Potou, elles sont de 95,75µg/L, 283,67µg/L, 11,5µg/L et 172,80µg/L. La moyenne du total des molécules détectées est de 72,43 µg/L et de 163,43 µg/L, respectivement dans la lagune Aghien et dans la lagune Potou. Les eaux de lessivage des terres agricoles qui bordent les lagunes, les cours d'eau tributaires et le vent sont les principaux moyens de transport des pesticides. Les circuits parallèles d'approvisionnement en pesticides et le non-respect des itinéraires techniques d'utilisation des produits contribuent à aggraver la pollution. Les eaux lagunaires d'Aghien et de Potou sont inaptes pour la production d'eau potable. Dans l'optique de leur utilisation, de bonnes pratiques agricoles sont à promouvoir dans la région.
... Recours est donc fait aux produits phytosanitaires (pesticides, engrais, régulateurs de croissance, défoliants…) pour accroître la viabilité des cultures et pour maximiser les rendements. Ces produits présentent des risques sanitaires pour les utilisateurs et constituent une source de pollution de l'environnement (Levi, 1999;Sanborn et al., 2004;Gnago et al., 2010). L'utilisation des pesticides n'est pas sans danger pour les populations riveraines. ...
Article
Full-text available
The purpose of this study is to determine the level of contamination of lagoons Aghien and Potou by pesticides in aim to their use for drinking water production. The extraction method with cartridge C-18 followed by gas chromatography phase dosage coupled to a mass spectrometer allowed to highlight lagoons Aghien and Potou waters pollution by pesticides. Four families of pesticides constituted by triazines and metabolites, substituted ureas, carbamates and convulsivants were detected in both lagoons in concentrations widely superior to WHO guide values.In the lagoon Aghien, the respective averages of triazines and metabolites, substituted ureas, carbamates and convulsivants are 36.53 µg/L, 121.61µg/L, 1.09µg/L and 15µg/L and in lagoon Potou, they are 95.75µg/L, 283.67µg/L, 11.5µg/L et 172.80µg/L.The average of the total molecules detected is 72.43µg/L and 163.43µg/L respectively in the lagoon Aghien and in the lagoon Potou. Leaching waters of farmland bordering the lagoons, tributaries streams and wind are the main modes of transport of pesticides. The unofficial circuits of pesticides supply and the failure to respect the technical itineraries of products use contribute to aggravate pollution. Lagoons Aghien and Potou are unsuited to drinking water production. In view of their use, good agricultural practices are to be promoted in the region. RESUME L'objectif de cette étude est de déterminer le niveau de contamination des lagunes Aghien et Potou par les pesticides en vue de leur utilisation pour la production d'eau potable. La méthode d'extraction avec cartouche C-18 suivie du dosage par chromatographie en phase gazeuse couplée à un spectromètre de masse a permis de mettre en évidence la pollution des eaux des lagunes Aghien et Potou par des pesticides. Quatre familles de pesticides constituées de triazines etmétabolites, urées substituées, carbamates et convulsivants ont été détectées dans les deux lagunes à des concentrations largement supérieures aux valeurs guides de l'OMS. Dans la lagune Aghien, les moyennes respectives de triazines et métabolites, urées substituées, carbamates et convulsivants sont de 36,53µg/L, 121,61µg/L, 1,09µg/L et 15µg/L et dans la lagune Potou, elles sont de 95,75µg/L, 283,67µg/L, 11,5µg/L et 172,80µg/L. La moyenne du total des molécules détectées est de 72,43 µg/L et de 163,43 µg/L, respectivement dans la lagune Aghien et dans la lagune Potou. Les eaux de lessivage des terres agricoles qui bordent les lagunes, les cours d'eau tributaires et le vent sont les principaux moyens de transport des pesticides. Les circuits parallèles d'approvisionnement en pesticides et le non-respect des itinéraires techniques d'utilisation des produits contribuent à aggraver la pollution. Les eaux lagunaires d'Aghien et de Potou sont inaptes pour la production d'eau potable. Dans l'optique de leur utilisation, de bonnes pratiques agricoles sont à promouvoir dans la région.
... Consequently, pesticide exposure can cause a variety of human health problems, both chronic and acute in both farmers and consumers. Major health impacts from chronic exposure include cancers, reproductive and endocrine disruption, neurological damage, and immune system dysfunction (EPA 2007, Moses 1999, Sanborn et al. 2004). The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Environment Program estimated that nearly 4.0 million people suffer from severe pesticide poisoning and its rate is 2-3 per minute, with approximately 20,000 workers dying from exposure every year, the majority in developing countries (Kishi et al. 1995, Pimental et al. 1992, Rosenstock et al. 1991, Sarker et al. 2002). ...
Article
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The study was aimed to assess the level of pesticide residues in tomatoes and cucumbers vegetables grown in greenhouse farms in Khartoum State (Sudan) and compare them with the maximum residue limits set by Codex Alimentarius. A total of 19 samples of cucumbers (14) and tomatoes fruits (5) were randomly collected from 14 greenhouse farms under study. The levels of pesticide residues were determined by gas chromatography equipped with a flame ionization detector (GC-FID). The results indicated that 94.7% of the samples were contaminated by diazinon, malathion, chlorpyrifos, ethephon, profenofos, and oxyfluorfen. The residues measured in cucumber fruits samples ranged from 0.05 to 167.19 mg kg-1 , and that measured in tomato fruit ranged from 2.55 to 136.87 mg kg-1 , and all of them were above maximum residue limits (MRLs) set by Codex Alimentarius. The highest level of diazinon residues was detected in cucumber samples collected from the greenhouse farms MB (25.68 mg kg-1), Eltiseen (24.63 mg kg-1), and Elzawaya (10.58 mg kg-1) were exceeded the MRLs of cucumber (0.1 mg kg-1) by 257, 246 and 106 folds, respectively. However the corresponding values of malathion resides that detected in tomato fruits samples collected from the farms YAY (39.7 mg kg-1), MB (9.45mg kg-1), Eltiseen (8.46 mg kg-1) and Elzawaya (8.28 mg kg-1) were also exceeded the MRLs of tomato fruits (0.1 mg kg-1) by 79, 47, 42 and 41 folds, respectively. These high levels of pesticide residues detected in both vegetables raise a great public health concern as they can pose serious adverse effects to consumers.
... The effects of exposure to pesticides include development of many cancers as well as the risk of genotoxic, immunotoxic, and neurotoxic and adverse reproductive effects and an increased incidence of psychiatric and dermatologic conditions. 41,42 Environmental risks are mainly related to the storage and application of insecticides in inappropriate locations and also to empty packaging disposed of in environment after use. 12,43 One of the major problems caused by the excessive use and/ or misuse of synthetic insecticides is the advent of resistant strains within the treated pest populations, which results in the difficulty of controlling such insects. ...
Article
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Cowpea is an essential food legume in the tropics and particularly for sub-Saharan African populations. Postharvest grain storage, however, is a major constraint for crop expansion and year-round availability due to the cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus F., the main storage pest of cowpeas in West Africa. The use of chemicals for cowpea storage is a common practice which represents, however, a risk for consumers, environment, and could also exacerbate pest control. In Burkina Faso, since the early 2000s, several scientific investigations have focused on the control of C maculatus using botanicals considered as promising and safe alternatives to chemicals. The aim of this review is to take stock of the research conducted and to identify the potential candidates on which future studies in this field will focus. The set of data analyzed show that several plants materials, including powders, crushed plants and essential oils (EO), were active against eggs, larvae, and adults of C maculatus, through dose-dependent mortality responses. However, EO extracted from native aromatic plants have yielded the most promising results, specifically EO from Ocimum canum appeared as the best candidate control agent. Other potentially interested EO tested included Hyptis suaveolens, Hyptis spicigera, and Lippia multiflora. Based on these results, attempts to optimize the use of EO for cowpea storage were conducted in laboratory and field conditions. Side effects of botanicals toward the main biological control agent, the ectoparasitoid Dinarmus basalis have also been highlighted. The results are discussed in a view of practical use of botanicals and EO as safe alternatives for Integrated Pest Management in stored cowpeas in Africa and developing countries.
... ciable number of studies to attest a link between toxicants and health risks. For instance, comprehensive reviews highlight numerous studies which have identified a positive relationship between exposure to pesticides and the development of certain cancers, as well as adverse reproductive, metabolic and mental health effects (Maroni and Fait, 1993;Sanborn et. al., 2004). ...
... In 1940s saw the introduction of the chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides such as DDT and the phenoxy herbicides were created to eradicate the Japanese rice crop, and later used as a component of Agent Orange to defoliate large areas in jungle warfare. After World War II these chemicals have been providing enormous benefits for increasing agricultural production [41,42]. and qualitative losses. ...
Article
Abstract The concentration levels of ten organochlorine pesticides were investigated in tomato and orange samples purchased from the local markets of Addis Ababa. A standard analytical method was used for the extraction and analysis, since the method was validated before analysis. Limit of detection (LOD), Limit of quantification (LOQ), Precision and percentage recovery were measured and target analytes were determined using GC-MS. The Spiked recovery results for five analytes were within the acceptable international standard. The LOD and LOQ are below the MRL of the analyte. The %RSD of all detected analytes were less than the acceptable international standard (<20%). The study found that in the orange sample, γ- HCH, heptachlor, aldrin, endosulfan and DDT were detected while in the tomato sample, heptachlor, aldrin, endosulfan and DDT were detected. However, none of the detected analytes were found to be above the international MRL values. Keywords: Organochlorine; Fruit and vegetable, Method validation; GC-MS
... ‫و‬ ( ‫اﻧﺴﺎن‬ ‫ﺳﻼﻣﺖ‬ ) ‫ﻫﺎ‬ Lee et al., 2004;Wilson & Tisdell, 2001;Alavanja, 2004 Sanborn et al., 2004;Ncibis et al., 2008;Yassin et al., 2002 . ...
... Further, there are occupational health hazards in agriculture that can have an impact on the life cycle: the use of agrochemicals, particularly pesticides, is a common and expanding practice in developing countries, and the exposure of women to these through agricultural work can affect their children, either in utero or through breast milk, with negative outcomes ranging from intrauterine growth retardation to neurological effects (Garry 2004;Sanborn et al. 2004) and potential implications for later health and productivity. Similarly, hookworm parasitic infections are common in men and women working in agriculture and exposed to contaminated soil. ...
Chapter
For most of the rural poor, their most important asset is their own physical capacity for work. This depends crucially on individual nutritional and health status. This chapter summarizes the evidence on gender differences in vulnerabilities to poor nutrition and health, and their potential effects on the productivity of men and women in farming households. Adopting a life-cycle perspective, the chapter examines the implications of four key health and nutritional disorders-undernutrition, iron-deficiency anemia, HIV, and malaria-for the productivity and well-being of men and women in agriculture. These disorders have both direct and interacting impacts, with the nature of the disorder and the context in which it is found determining its exact impacts and the strategies required to cope with nutrition and health shocks. In each case, the impact on the productivity of women is different from that on the productivity of men for biological, social, and cultural reasons. The author discusses several promising policies and interventions to prevent and mitigate some of the negative impacts of specific disorders discussed above on women's agricultural productivity and production. The chapter concludes by proposing further research on understanding the complexities of women's time use and trade-offs in coping with ill health and poor nutrition in agriculture, and on evaluating the most promising policies and programs to protect poor women and enhance their productivity in agriculture and income-generating activities. © Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 2014.
... Further, there are occupational health hazards in agriculture that can have an impact on the life cycle: the use of agrochemicals, particularly pesticides, is a common and expanding practice in developing countries, and the exposure of women to these through agricultural work can affect their children, either in utero or through breast milk, with negative outcomes ranging from intrauterine growth retardation to neurological effects (Garry 2004 ;Sanborn et al. 2004 ) and potential implications for later health and productivity. Similarly, hookworm parasitic infections are common in men and women working in agriculture and exposed to contaminated soil. ...
Chapter
Social capital comprises the range of relationships, networks, and institutions that allow people to build trust and cooperation. This chapter documents gender differences in social capital related to agricultural development, defined as group membership and social networks, based on a critical literature review of key issues and a review of published and unpublished empirical studies conducted between 1999 and 2011. The authors focus on the types of groups and social networks that women and men join, the extent of their participation, as well as the gender-specific barriers that may affect women’s full-scale participation. The analysis goes beyond simple dichotomies of men’s and women’s groups and networks to investigate whether, and under what circumstances, mixed-sex groups may be more effective than single-sex groups in achieving their development objectives. Following this, the authors examine the effects of women’s participation on both group performance and extant gender relations and discuss what development actors can do to help realize gains in these areas. The chapter concludes with a summary of the evidence on whether women are disadvantaged in comparison to men in the accumulation of social capital, and if so, the extent to which programs are helping to overcome this gap.
... Estudios epidemiológicos en diferentes poblaciones muestran una frecuencia de hendiduras orofaciales de 1 a 2/ 1000 nacimientos (Carinci et al., 2005;Sanborns, 2007), en relación a DTN se menciona una prevalencia de 2,8/1000 (Frey & Hauser, 2003) y, se reporta como la más alta en Norteamérica, la de la provincia de New Fouland y Labrador con 3,2/1000 nacimientos (House, 2006). En México, sigue siendo difícil estimar con precisión la frecuencia de DTN, aunque se reporta como una de las más altas del mundo, superada sólo por las cifras del norte de China (Martínez-Villarreal et al., 2001). ...
... Chronic effects are typically the result of low levels of exposure over a long period of time even if there are no acute or immediate effects. Major health impacts from chronic exposure include cancers, reproductive and endocrine disruption, neurological damage, and immune system dysfunction [24,25,26]. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Environment Program estimate nearly 4.0 million people suffer from severe pesticide poisoning and its rate is 2-3 per minute, with approximately 20,000 workers dying from exposure every year, the majority in developing countries [27,28,29,30,31]. ...
Data
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Farmers of Bangladesh frequently use different types of pesticides in vegetable fields following the advice of untrained traders or salespersons. Three-fourths of farmers adopt safety measures partially but cannot avoid skin, eye, gastro-intestinal, urine and sexual and other diseases. Most farmers spray two days in a week but sometimes apply pesticides every day and harvest vegetable soon after; more than three-fourths don't know about the waiting period before collection. Consequently, pesticide residues (Diazinon and Quinalphos) are detected in 67% of marketed vegetables (long yard bean) which are above Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI). Respondents strongly believe that vegetables grown with the use of pesticide causes various chronic and acute diseases to consumers.
... Owing to the advancement of science and transition of print media to electronic media, a great deal of awareness has been witnessed among the consumer groups on the adverse health consequences of pesticides residues. Citizens worldwide are becoming aware of pesticide effects on human health and international trade (Sanborn et al., 2004). Numerous studies have demonstrated substantial levels of pesticides residues in various food stuffs in Pakistan, and the ground water has been observed to be considerably polluted in many parts of Punjab and Sindh provinces of Pakistan. ...
Article
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Biological, chemical and physical contamination of foods is a terrifying threat for the health and economic growth in developing societies. Rampantly available literature on foodborne illnesses especially diarrhea among children exclusively depicts the intensified disease burden associated with foodborne illness in the underdeveloped economies. Prevalence of many pathogens in several foods is a commonplace in Pakistan. Precise estimates for foodborne illnesses in Pakistan are hard to make because of the absence of any monitoring, surveillance and infection control. Poor processing and storage of milk, cereal grains and nuts are a major cause of aflatoxin contamination and mold proliferation. Numerous studies manifest a multitude of foods to be contaminated with heavy metals. Escalating population growth limits the economic potential of the individual and the state through a tendency among the traders and manufactures to intentionally debase food commodities offered for sale to make profit at the cost of their quality and safety. Therefore, a growing trend of adulteration in foods during the recent past, particularly adulteration of milk, poses a pressing challenge for the government. This review is a concerted attempt to elucidate the prevailing food safety scenario in Pakistan. Information derived from local and related international studies will be presented to clearly depict a picture of food safety in Pakistan. It is proposed that an extensive food safety infrastructure leading to a safer supply of foods needs to be devised, designed and implemented.
... Furthermore, the main target of OPs insecticide is the nervous system, and it has been suggested that chronic exposure to low-level of OP can interfere with normal neurodevelopment [14]. Clinical studies support the observation that cognitive, neurobehavioral deficits, and neurology diseases occurre in agricultural communities using widely OPs insecticides [15,16]. In rats, previous study has shown that repeatedly exposure to Malathion induced depression-like behavior in Forced Swimming Test [17]. ...
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Most cognitive effects of Organophosphate Pesticides (OP) are induced after exposure to parathion, chlorpyrifos and diazinon, which the usage has been restricted because of overt signs of their toxicities. In this study, we investigate whether developmental exposure to Malathion could impair spatial learning and recognition memory in male rats. Animals exposed by intragastric route, from in utero to young adult stage, to incremental doses of Malathion dissolved in corn oil; 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg of body weight, and one control group are given corn oil. Then, cognitive and behave-ioral abilities are assessed using Barnes maze and object recognition memory task. Malathion administration at 300 mg/kg is toxic to pregnant dams, and pups are stillborns. Rats exposed to 200 mg/kg make a significant working memory error, and require more time to find an escape box during the initial training phase of Barnes maze. However, fewer errors are made in rats exposed to 100 mg/kg. For reversal learning task, the high dose group shows great deficits in spatial strategy to locate the new position of the box. With respect to recognition task, both dose 100 and 200 mg/kg impair significant short-term (2 h after habituation phase) object recognition memory, but long-term (24 h after habitua-tion phase) recognition memory is intact in high dose group. The current study also reveals that all treatments induce high significant neocortex acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity inhibition, but 100 mg/kg dose is not sufficient to disrupt great hippocampal activity alteration. These results suggest that developmental exposure to Malathion, despite low toxicity described, may induce late-emerging spatial learning and recognition memorialterations. Moreover, Cortical and hippocampal area that support strongly these behaviors remain sensitive to incremental doses of Malathion.
... Moreover, this rate of exposure far exceeds the maximum exposure levels established to minimize human health risks (Arcury et al., 2006;Fenske et al., 2000Fenske et al., , 2002Loewenherz et al., 1997). While the risks associated with pesticide exposure are well established (Dilworth-Bart & Moore, 2006;Koger, Schettler and Weiss, 2005;McCauley et al., 2006;Sanborn et al., 2004), relatively little research exists about how farm workers, let alone their children, understand these risks. The research that does exist suggests that farm workers often underestimate the potential risks (Arcury, Quandt & Russell, 2002;Elmore & Arcury, 2001;Quandt, Arcury, Austin & Saavedra, 1998). ...
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In this study, farm worker children (N = 40) in 2nd and 5th grade were interviewed about (a) their conceptions and judgments of pesticide exposure and (b) their reasoning about the moral standing of nature. First, results showed that all participants negatively judged pesticide exposure based on moral obligatory criteria. Yet, most children accepted pesticide use in the orchards where they lived. Their reasoning was either based on assumptions that certain practices eliminated potential harms or coordination of potential physical harms with concerns for financial security. Second, participants expressed biocentric considerations (wherein nature is accorded moral standing) when reasoning about harms to nature. The results provide evidence of biocentric reasoning earlier than previously shown in the developmental literature, and indicate a developmental shift in the form of biocentric reasoning. Finally, the results offer support of a new methodology for disentangling human considerations from environmental moral reasoning.
... Estudios epidemiológicos en diferentes poblaciones muestran una frecuencia de hendiduras orofaciales de 1 a 2/ 1000 nacimientos (Carinci et al., 2005;Sanborns, 2007), en relación a DTN se menciona una prevalencia de 2,8/1000 (Frey & Hauser, 2003) y, se reporta como la más alta en Norteamérica, la de la provincia de New Fouland y Labrador con 3,2/1000 nacimientos (House, 2006). En México, sigue siendo difícil estimar con precisión la frecuencia de DTN, aunque se reporta como una de las más altas del mundo, superada sólo por las cifras del norte de China (Martínez-Villarreal et al., 2001). ...
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Objective: To determine the association between maternal folate deficieney, neural tube defeets (NTDs), and cleft lip, with and without cleft palate (CL/P). Material and methods: A case/control study was conducted. The cases included subjeets with diagnoses of NTD and CL/P (n=36) and four hospital controls per case (n=141); the study included newborns (NBs) and nursing babies upto 12monthsof age. The parameter variables were the foliowing: the age of the NB or nursing baby, the ethnic group, and the hospital of origin. The Tarahumara ethnic group made up 23% of the cases, while 77% were mestizos. The red cell folate (RCF), the plasma folie acid (PFA), and the vitamin B12 levéis were determined by radioimmunoassay and the homocysteine levéis by polarized fluorescence immunoassay. A deficieney was considered to be present if the RCF were <160 ng/mL, the PFA 15 |J,mol/L. The statistical analysis was carried out through of conditional logistic regression. Results: An RCF deficieney was identified in 22% of the women whose newborn or nursing babies presented with some type of congenital defect and in 12% of the controls. The correlation adjusted by maternal age, exposure to pesticides and zone of residence was OR 2.96 (CI 95% 0.92-9.46). There was no difference in vitamin B12 or homocysteine levéis between groups. Conclusions: Our results suggest that newborns whose mothers present with an RCF deficieney have an increased risk of displaying NTD and CL/P.
... Exposure to pesticides at certain developmental stages of life can result in irreversible damage to organ structure and function. Of partic‐ ular concern is the effect of exposure at during the reproductive cycle, from preconcep‐ tion to breast feeding, because of the possibility of poor birth outcomes, congenital anomalies, developmental deficits, and possibly childhood cancer (Barthel 1981; Karabay et al. 2004; Hernandez et al. 2004; Sanborn et al. 2004; Strong et al. 2004; Hernandez et al. 2006; Hayes et al. 2006; El-Wakeil et al. 2009). Farm worker families often live near or on the farms on which they work, and thus spend much of their time in close proximity to areas where pesticides are applied on a regular ba‐ sis. ...
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The use of pesticides for diseases and insect pest control has become a key component in smallholder vegetable production. This study therefore quantified the concentration of pesticide active ingredient per unit production land (kg a.i/ha), and drivers of increased pesticide use in smallholder vegetable production systems in Tanzania. Through field surveys and observations, data were collected from 385 farmers from Iringa, Arusha, and Kilimanjaro regions. A binary probit model was used to derive factors fostering increased pesticide use. High dose rates with increased frequency of application were evident. The concentrations of active ingredients (kg a.i/ha) were far above the world averages for fungicides (17.18 kg a.i/ha in tomato and 13.05 kg a.i/ha in onion), insecticides (5.86 kg a.i/ha in tomato and 6.37 kg a.i/ha in onions) and herbicides (3.78 kg a.i/ha in onions). Furthermore, 47.9 % of all pesticides were wrongly used. Most farmers (88.6 %) lacked knowledge of pest control and 88.9 % of farmers were unaware of pesticide safety practices. There was an increasing trend in pesticide use (58.4 %). WHO Class II hazard-classified pesticides (68.9 %) dominated smallholder vegetable production. Extremely hazardous (Class Ia) and highly hazardous (Class Ib) pesticides were also used. The binary probit model showed that the number of crops grown, pesticide mixing, and region contributed positively to the likelihood of increased pesticide use. In contrast, farmers’ perception of the effectiveness of pesticides, lack of access to safe use information, poor use of safety gear, and inability to read pesticide labels had a negative impact. Excessive pesticide use jeopardizes the sustainability of smallholder vegetable production. Pesticide control and monitoring at the farm level, restricted use of highly hazardous pesticides, application of greener pesticides, and the use of specialized pesticide spray men in smallholder vegetable production would lessen and protect farmers and the environment from pesticide exposure.
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Pesticides use has become a key component of smallholder horticulture production. Therefore, dynamics in pesticides handling need to be ascertained. This study assessed drivers of pesticides use and determinants of changing patterns of pesticides handling practices in smallholder vegetable systems. Data were collected from 385 farmers from Iringa, Arusha, Manyara, and Kilimanjaro regions in Tanzania through an in-depth survey and field observations. A binary probit model was used to derive factors fostering increased pesticides use. Results showed that 47.9 % of all pesticides were wrongly used. Most farmers (88.6%) lacked knowledge of pest control and 88.9% were unaware of safety practices. Disposal methods of empty pesticides foster occupational and environmental exposure (58%). There was an increasing trend in pesticides use (58.4%), accompanied by changing pesticides formulations. Over 60 pesticides with 29 different formulations were used. Mixing pesticides (71.2%), high dose rates with increased frequency of application were observed. Pesticides under Class II WHO hazard (68.9%) dominated. Extremely hazardous (Class Ia) and highly hazardous (Class Ib) were also used. Binary probit model showed that number of crops grown, pesticides mixing, and region contributed positively to the likelihood of increased pesticides use while farmers’ perception of effectiveness of pesticides, lack of access to safe use information, poor use of safety gears and inability to read pesticides labels had a negative impact. The fate of pesticides use in smallholder vegetable production systems is therefore the culmination of serious health and environmental implications. Excessive pesticides use escalated by increased number of crops, improper use of PPE, and pesticides mixing practices subjects the general population to pesticides environmental exposure thereby jeopardizing sustainability of smallholder vegetable production in Tanzania. Regular training to farmers and extension officers on current and emerging issues on pests and pesticide safe use is vital.
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The FBLI Trainer Manual has been developed as an iterative, collaborative process between the FBLI core members, authors and contributors, endusers, and other stakeholders. Existing Ecohealth materials were consulted and needs assessments carried out to tailor the structure, content, and approach of this manual to respond to the perceived needs of audiences in Southeast Asia. These needs will change over time and we anticipate that users will adapt and update these materials to allow them to continue to be effective.
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This chapter reviews the human toxicological impacts of chemicals and how to assess these impacts in life cycle impact assessment (LCIA), in order to identify key processes and pollutants. The complete cause-effect pathway – from emissions of toxic substances up to damages on human health – demonstrates the importance to account for both outdoor and indoor exposure, including consumer products. Analysing the variations in intake fraction (the fraction of the emitted or applied chemical that is taken in by the consumer and the general population), effect factor and characterisation factor across all chemicals and impact pathways characterizes the contribution of each factor to the total variation of 10–12 orders of magnitude in impacts per kg across all chemicals. This large variation between characterisation factors for different chemicals as well as the 3 orders of magnitude uncertainty on characterisation factors means that results should by default be reported and interpreted in log scales when comparing scenarios or substance contribution! We conclude by outlining future trends in human toxicity modelling for LCIA, with promising developments for (a) better estimates of degradation half-lives, (b) the inclusion of ionization of chemicals in human exposure including bioaccumulation, (c) metal speciation, (d) spatialised models to differentiate the variability associated with spatialisation from the uncertainty, and (e) the assessment of chemical exposure via consumer products and occupational settings. As a whole, the assessment of toxicity in LCA has progressed on a very sharp learning curve during the past 20 years. This rapid progression is expected to continue in the coming years, focusing more on direct exposure of workers to chemicals during manufacturing and of consumers during product use.
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Valerian (Valeriana officinalis L.) is a natural anxiolytic widely used in traditional medicine. However reproductive toxic effects have been demonstrated in mice treated with this species. This study evaluated the effect of valerian aqueous suspension on the reproductive system of Wistar rats treated for 53 days. Four groups were studied (n=25): control (1 ml of distilled water) and treated (500, 1000 or 2000 mg/kg) with the aqueous suspension per os/day. On the 54th day, 15 rats/group were killed and the following parameters were assessed: weight of reproductive organs, liver, kidneys and spleen; serum testosterone level, sperm morphology and concentration; testicle and epididymis histomorphometry. Ten other animals/group was analyzed using the dominant lethal test. There were not significant differences in body weight, hematological and biochemical parameters, weights of the liver, kidneys, spleen, reproductive organs and accessory glands between control and treated animals. The treatment with valerian did not alter the tubular and luminal diameters of the seminiferous tubules, the serum testosterone levels and the sperm viability. The sperm concentration in the epididymis cauda was not altered by the treatment although a significant increase in the number of abnormal gametes was observed in the valerian-treated animals at all dose levels when compared to control values. Significant reduction (p<0.05) in the height of the epididymal epithelium and a significant increase in the number of abnormal gametes were observed in the animals treated with the extract at 1000 and 2000 mg/kg.
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The content selected in Herbicides, Theory and Applications is intended to provide researchers, producers and consumers of herbicides an overview of the latest scientific achievements. Although we are dealing with many diverse and different topics, we have tried to compile this "raw material" into three major sections in search of clarity and order - Weed Control and Crop Management, Analytical Techniques of Herbicide Detection and Herbicide Toxicity and Further Applications. The editors hope that this book will continue to meet the expectations and needs of all interested in the methodology of use of herbicides, weed control as well as problems related to its use, abuse and misuse.
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We undertook a systematic review (incorporating meta-analysis) of the literature concerning the neurotoxicity of cumulative low level occupational exposure to organophosphate pesticides, which was published online by the journal Critical Reviews in Toxicology in 2012. As far as we are aware, we were the first research team to attempt quantitative evaluation of study findings on this topic, using meta-analysis. We wish to encourage others to apply systematic review techniques in chemical risk assessment to reduce bias, increase transparency and better inform public policy. We thought it would be useful to share our experience of undertaking a systematic review in the hope of dispelling misconceptions about the complexity, time and resource issues involved along with the view that meta-analysis is meaningless when studies are not homogeneous. In this commentary paper we reflect on aspects of the process which were relatively straightforward; aspects which were more challenging; the advantages of using systematic review techniques; and the advantages and limitations of using statistical techniques such as meta-analysis in this context.
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Dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), an Allium-derivative compound, is a promising fumigant as a substitute for methyl bromide. Using patch-clamp, molecular biology and calcium imaging techniques on insect neurones, we identified new targets altered by DMDS at low concentration (1 µM). DMDS transforms regular pacemaker activity of DUM neurones into bursting activities separated by silencing phases. The change in frequency is a consequence of modification of numerous targets. First, we showed that DMDS shifts the voltage dependence of steady-state activation and inactivation of Na2 current toward more negative potentials, which makes cell more excitable. Then, we demonstrate that DMDS induces a calcium rise through TRPg activation and release from intracellular calcium stores. This calcium changes induce a bell-shape modulation of calcium-dependent potassium currents (KCa). Thanks to the study of how of DMDS acts on DUM neurones and development of new techniques associating molecular biology with electrophysiology we support new arguments for existence of two disctint KCa currents. In parallel, thanks to an electroencephalography technique using telemetry on mice, we revealed that DMDS could induce anomalies on electroencephographic activity.
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Rationale: Conventional mass spectrometry is encumbered by laborious and inconvenient sample pretreatment. Ambient thermal desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (TD-ESI-MS) is most noted for its rapid, simple, and sensitive detection capabilities. In this study, TD-ESI-MS was used to rapidly characterize residual pesticides on the surfaces of fruits and vegetables. Methods: A direct sampling probe was used to obtain analytes from sample surfaces. MS and MS/MS analyses were performed on fruits and vegetables via TD-ESI-MS. External calibration curves and reproducibility tests were performed using liquid pesticide standards. Pesticide decay and distribution on samples was studied, as well as the removal of residual pesticides via soaking in water or detergent baths. Results: Since sample pretreatment was unnecessary, an analysis was completed in approximately 15 s or less, with no visible sample damage. Mass spectra were obtained for 22 pesticides. Linear calibrations (R(2) from 0.9414-0.999) had limits of detection as low as 0.5 µg·L(-1), with satisfactory reproducibilities for liquids and solids. Pesticides on sample surfaces decayed over 2 weeks under ambient conditions. Residual pesticides localized at the fruit peel. Detergent baths removed more pesticide than water baths. Conclusions: TD-ESI-MS was used to rapidly screen residual pesticides in liquids and solids. Pesticides were found on fruits and vegetables, where the decay, distribution, and removal of pesticides on samples were also explored. Due to short analysis times, the technique allows for high-throughput analyses for applications in food and environmental safety.
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The study monitored the concentrations of pesticide residues in vegetables arriving at Agbogbloshie, a central market in the Accra Metropolis from different parts of Ghana and beyond. A total of 810 samples of 5 different vegetables from Central, Volta, Greater Accra, Ashanti, Eastern Regions, and neighboring country (Togo) were collected from January 2009 through to December 2011. In all, 18 % of the samples had no detectable residues, 62 % were below the maximum residue limits (MRLs), and 20 % also exceeded the EU (MRLs) adopted values. Overall, lettuce contained the highest number of residues above their MRLs besides cucumber and cabbage. The pesticide residues were mainly organophosphates and synthetic pyrethroids. The results demonstrate the need for continuous monitoring of pesticide residues in vegetables arriving at the various major markets in Ghana.
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The Union Carbide India Ltd (UCIL) factory at Bhopal, abandoned after the world’s worst industrial disaster that took place on December 3, 1984, is still heavily contaminated with a range of persistent pollutants. From this study it can be concluded that even after 25 years the residents of the area around UCIL factory are still exposed to chemical-laced groundwater, soil and factory wastes and perhaps will continue to be exposed until the site remains contaminated.
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There are many difficulties in establishing a causal link between exposure to chemicals and human diseases or disorders, when a mixture of chemicals is the causal factor under examination, and when controls have also some degree of contamination. Despite this, significant risk increases have been demonstrated for various congenital malformations including central nervous system, cardiovascular, urogenital and limb defects, and orofacial clefts, all of which have been shown after parental exposure to several or to specific pesticides. The same has been observed for intra uterine growth retardation and neurodevelopment impairments, involving short term or longer term functional anomalies. However, so far, epidemiological research has had very little influence on the authorisation of pesticides. The adequacy of the risk assessment, which is the basis of the authorisation of Pesticides Directives, is questioned. The shortcomings in active substance regulatory testing are highlighted, together with the lack of consideration for combined effects, potential toxicities of formulated products, the poor consideration of vulnerable groups, and pesticide exposure evaluation deficits. In order to compensate for the shortage of information and for the potentially large societal costs of filling this deficit, arguments are presented for the adoption of precautionary exposure reduction measures. These could include exclusion criteria based on pesticide intrinsic properties, the substitution principle and mandatory national pesticide dependency reduction programmes, with targets and timetables, accompanied by a significant promotion of low input crop production systems. These cost effective precautionary measures, to prevent or reduce health impacts of pesticides, should now be considered for adoption as the revision of the plant protection products authorisation Directive and a Thematic Strategy on the sustainable use of pesticides are on the political agenda.
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There is no question that the world is becoming increasingly toxic, with worldwide dissemination of industrial chemicals, pesticides, heavy metals and radioactive elements. Many of these toxins have demonstrated harmful effects including cancer, reproductive, metabolic, and mental health effects. It is also known that many toxins undergo bioaccumulation through the food chain and that synergistic effects can occur whereby combinations of toxins can be more potent than the sum of individual toxins.
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Se determinó la frecuencia de alteraciones citogenéticas (micronúcleos y aberraciones cromosómicas), deficiencias en la reparación del ADN y actividad de la acetilcolinesterasa como biomarcadores de exposición a plaguicidas organofosforados y carbamatos en trabajadoras de cultivos de flores en Bogotá. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo en 31 trabajadoras con riesgo ocupacional de exposición a plaguicidas y 30 sin riesgo; la información se obtuvo por medio de una entrevista. Se emplearon como pruebas citogenéticas estándar la frecuencia de aberraciones cromosómicas y de micronúcleos; la prueba de reto (challenge assay) se utilizó para determinar la respuesta a los rayos gamma y como indicador de deficiencias en la reparación del ADN. Los datos se analizaron por porcentaje de células aberrantes, frecuencia de aberraciones cromosómicas y rompimiento cromatídico en 100 células en metafase analizadas en cada trabajadora. En los ensayos citogenéticos, se encontró que el grupo expuesto presentó frecuencias mayores de células con aberraciones cromosómicas y micronúcleos que el grupo no expuesto, con diferencias significativas (p=0,02); sin embargo, con la prueba de reto, la diferencia no fue significativa (p>0,1). Estos hallazgos requieren ser confirmados por estudios de tipo analítico que involucren exámenes clínicos; además, es necesario un mayor número de biomarcadores para la monitorización de trabajadores expuestos a plaguicidas en cualquier situación.
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In this biomonitoring study, we investigated whether an occupational exposure to a complex mixture of chemical pesticides produced a significant increase of micronuclei (MN) in both peripheral blood lymphocytes and buccal cells. Forty-nine male workers exposed to pesticides, from an agricultural area of Małopolska Region in Southern Poland, together with 50 men from the same area without indication of exposure to pesticides that served as controls, were used in this investigation.No statistically significant differences in the frequencies of cytogenetic damage were detected between exposed and control individuals, for either type of cells. The multiple linear regression analysis in the case of lymphocytes indicated that the studied cytogenetic endpoints were inversely influenced by alcohol; whilst a negative binomial regression, in the case of buccal cells, indicated that the MN values were directly influenced by the ingestion of red meat. An inverse negative relationship between the cytokinesis-block proliferation index and age, and a significant increase of miscarriages due to the exposure to pesticides were also observed.
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Data from an in-person interview study of 622 white men with newly diagnosed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and 1245 population-based controls in Iowa and Minnesota were used to measure the risk associated with farming occupation and specific agricultural exposures. Men who ever farmed were at slightly elevated risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (odds ratio = 1.2, 95% confidence interval = 1.0-1.5) that was not linked to specific crops or particular animals. Elevated risks were found, with odds ratio generally 1.5-fold or greater, for personal handling, mixing, or application of several pesticide groups and for individual insecticides, including carbaryl, chlordane, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, diazinon, dichlorvos, lindane, malathion, nicotine, and toxaphene. Associations were generally stronger for first use prior to 1965 than more recently, and when protective clothing or equipment was not used. Small risks were associated with the use of the phenoxyacetic acid herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, but the risks did not increase with latency or failure to use protective equipment. Exposure to numerous pesticides poses problems of interpreting risk associated with a particular chemical, and multiple comparisons increase the chances of false-positive findings. In contrast, nondifferential exposure misclassification due to inaccurate recall can bias risk estimates toward the null and mask positive associations. In the face of these methodological and statistical issues, the consistency of several findings, both within this study and with observations of others, suggests an important role for several insecticides in the etiology of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma among farmers.
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An epidemiological study of 90 male pesticide applicators licensed in New York was conducted to investigate the effect of exposure to organophosphate pesticides on the peripheral nervous system. A cohort of farmers and pesticide applicators from New York State were questioned off season (November 1988-February 1989) and again during the spraying season (April 1989-August 1989) about the presence of several acute signs and symptoms. Short term exposure was validated by measuring the concentration of dimethylthiophosphate (DMTP), a metabolite of guthion, in urine. Chronic signs of subtle peripheral nerve damage were determined by vibration threshold sensitivity of the farmers and applicators tested during November 1988-February 1989 and compared with controls drawn from the general population who were tested during the same time period the next year (November 1989-February 1990). Vibration threshold sensitivity was determined for both the hands and feet. Long term exposure to pesticides was determined by questionnaire. Paired t tests show that mean vibration threshold scores were significantly higher for the dominant (P < 0.00) and non-dominant (P < 0.04) hands among pesticide applicators when compared with scores for population based controls individually matched on age, sex, and county of residence. A significant increase in mean vibration threshold sensitivity for the dominant and non-dominant hand suggests previous organophosphate exposure among pesticide applicators was associated with a loss of peripheral nerve function.
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Although pesticides are regularly used in agriculture, relatively little is known about possible adverse health effects, especially reproductive effects, due to occupational exposure. This explorative study investigates the relation between exposure of the fruit grower to pesticides and fecundability (probability of pregnancy) in a population of fruit growers. The analysis is based on self reported data and includes 91 pregnancies during 1978-1990 of 43 couples. Cox' proportional hazards model was used to analyse time to pregnancy after correction for gravidity and consultation with a physician for fertility problems. Application of pesticides solely by the owner was associated with a long time to pregnancy, resulting in a fecundability ratio of 0.46 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.28-0.77). Similarly a low spraying velocity (< or = 1.5 hectares/h) resulted in a fecundability ratio of 0.47 (95% CI 0.29-0.76) and is associated with the use of older spraying techniques and tractors without a cabin. These factors were assumed to cause high exposure, which was confirmed by exposure measurements in the field. The effect of high exposure was mainly apparent if the couple had intended to become pregnant in the period from March-November (fecundability ratio 0.42, 95% CI 0.20-0.92). This is the period in which pesticides are applied. Out of the spraying season the effect of a high exposure was absent (fecundability ratio 0.82, 95% CI 0.33-2.02). In the high exposure group 28% of the pregnancies had been preceded by consulting a physician because of fertility problems, compared with 8% in the low exposure group. These findings indicate that an adverse effect of exposure to pesticides on fecundability is likely.
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The aim of this study was to provide an update of a cohort study (1971-1985) that previously reported a significant trend in the risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma among male Saskatchewan farm operators according to fuel-oil expenditures and herbicide spraying for farms less than 1000 acres (2570 hectares) by including two additional Canadian prairie provinces, two additional years of follow-up, and data from the 1981 Census of Agriculture. Information on farmers from 1971 records of the Census of Agriculture was linked to 1971 records of the Census of Population, to 1981 records of the Census of Agriculture, and to death records. Poisson regression was used to estimate risks according to herbicide spraying and fuel and oil expenditures. The addition of a further two years of follow-up resulted in lower risk estimates associated with herbicide spraying for Saskatchewan. No excess risk was observed between herbicide spraying and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma for Alberta or Manitoba in the 1971 data. However, a significantly increased risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma according to acres sprayed with herbicides was observed for the three provinces combined when the herbicide spraying data from the 1981 Census of Agriculture was used [> or = 380 acres (> or = 939 hectares) sprayed, rate ratio 2.11, 95% confidence interval 1.1-3.9]. Although the current results are not entirely consistent with the original Saskatchewan analysis, they support the overall finding of an association between herbicides and risk of fatal non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Prospective cohort studies are needed to overcome the limitations of existing epidemiologic studies.
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Postural sway testing was performed on 37 pesticide-exposed workers and 35 nonexposed subjects. All subjects were asymptomatic. When ratios of sway measurements in different test conditions were investigated, total length of sway was significantly different between groups (P = .0001). Weight/height (P = .0006), exposure to pesticides (P = .0215), recent organophosphate exposure (P = .0391), and plasma cholinesterase level (P = .1537) were associated with increased body sway. The pattern of sway performance suggested a proprioceptive impairment, well compensated by visual cues, potentially attributable to pesticide exposure. This finding is of unclear clinical significance because results of neurologic examinations and nerve conduction studies that were reported separately did not show evidence of neuropathy. Postural sway testing is a simple, sensitive, noninvasive, and reproducible technique to evaluate subtle neurologic dysfunction. These findings are preliminary. Further studies are required to validate the findings and, if confirmed, to explore their functional or clinical significance.
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Se realizó un estudio analítico de corte con el fin de evaluar la asociación entre la discromatopsia y la exposición a plaguicidas, a sus solventes y a la radiación ultravioleta solar, y para evaluar la prueba de Lanthony como ayuda para el diagnóstico precoz de dicha anomalía. Se comparó la prevalencia de discromatopsia adquirida observada en 154 trabajadores de una empresa dedicada al cultivo de flores con la observada en 139 trabajadores de una empresa de confección de textiles. Las prevalencias puntuales fueron de 59,1 y 50,4%, con una diferencia que no resultó ser estadísticamente significativa. Al comparar la prevalencia de los trabajadores más expuestos a los plaguicidas 60,3% con la del resto de los participantes (50%) se observó una diferencia estadísticamente significativa y que muestra la existencia de una leve asociación. No se detectó interacción de la exposición con la edad, con el tabaquismo ni con el consumo de licor. Las mediciones realizadas en el cultivo de flores revelan que la exposición a las radiaciones B y C excede los límites permisibles; no obstante, no se encontró una diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre las prevalencias de los expuestos y de los no expuestos. En los trabajadores del cultivo de flores no se encontraron diferencias significativas en la prevalencia por tiempo de exposición. La comparación del Indice de Confusión Cromática (ICC) entre expuestos y no expuestos mostró una escasa diferencia, aunque ésta resultó ser estadísticamente significativa.
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Low birthweight is now known to be associated with increased rates of coronary heart disease and the related disorders stroke, hypertension and non-insulin dependent diabetes. These associations have been extensively replicated in studies in different countries and are not the result of confounding variables. They extend across the normal range of birthweight and depend on lower birthweights in relation to the duration of gestation rather than the effects of premature birth. The associations are thought to be consequences of developmental plasticity, the phenomenon by which one genotype can give rise to a range of different physiological or morphological states in response to different environmental conditions during development. Recent observations have shown that impaired growth in infancy and rapid childhood weight gain exacerbate the effects of impaired prenatal growth. A new vision of optimal early human development is emerging which takes account of both short and long-term outcomes.
Article
Objectives-Circumstantial evidence suggests that organic farmers may have higher sperm count than other men, but comprehensive epidemiological studies of male fecundity among farmers have never been carried out. A substantial increase of sperm count is expected to translate into a shorter time to pregnancy-the number of menstrual cycles or months it takes a couple to get pregnant from discontinuation of birth control. Toxicological effects on spermatogenesis in humans and animals have been described after exposure to several pesticides. The aim of this study was to examine time to pregnancy among farmers who used pesticides (traditional farmers) and farmers who did not (organic farmers). Methods-A total of 904 (84%) men, selected from the Danish Ministry of Agriculture lists of traditional and organic farmers, participated in telephone interviews. Information was collected on time to pregnancy for the youngest child, exposure to pesticides, and potential confounders. Results-With the discrete analogue of the Cox regression model (including potential confounders: male and female smoking, female age, parity, and contraceptive method), the fecundability ratio between traditional farmers who used pesticides and organic farmers was 1.03 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.75 to 1.40). In the group of farmers who sprayed with pesticides, none of the characteristics related to the use of pesticides could account for the variation in time to pregnancy. Conclusions-No overall effect of pesticides on male fecundability was found in this retrospective study among Danish farmers. Also, we found no evidence of higher male fecundability in organic farmers.
Article
Assessment of intra-uterine growth retardation (IUGR) is usually based on weight for gestational age (WGA) and weight for length3 (ponderal index) at birth. These sophisticated indicators, however, are impractical for public health purposes in developing countries, and IUGR is usually defined as low birth weight (LBW) (weight < 2.5 kg). The present study tested whether stunting at birth (SAB: length < -1 SD of the NCHS standards) would be a better indicator of risk and benefit than birth weight among a stunted population. Data from the INCAP longitudinal supplementation trial conducted in Guatemala between 196977 were used (n=400). The prevalence of SAB, LBW and low WGA (LWGA) was 58%, 9 % and 28 %, respectively. Both LBW and LWGA had a low sensitivity (Se) for predicting stunting at 3 y of age (12%, 35%) and short stature at adulthood (13%, 34%). Thus, a large proportion of at-risk children were missed by these indicators. SAB, however, had a Se of 66% for stunting at 3 y and 63% for short stature at adulthood. SAB also predicted differential benefit from protein-energy supplementation during childhood on length at 3 y of age, and on adult height. Stunted newborns who received supplements were taller than the non-supplemented group at 3 y and at adulthood (by 3 and 2.3 cm, respectively) No effect of supplementation on child or adult height was found among the group that was not stunted at birth. LBW and LWGA did not predict differential benefit from supplementation. Thus, SAB is a promising indicator for screening among stunted populations because it predicts both the risk of stunting and the differential short- and long-term benefits from nutritional interventions.
Article
In spite of being harmful, pesticides are widely used in Brazil. Their genotoxic effects might be studied through population monitoring by means of the analysis of chromosomal aberrations in occupationally exposed individuals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the chromosomal aberration frequencies in temporary cultures of lymphocytes from periferic blood of 23 workers professionally exposed to a mixture of pesticides. The workers were employed by the Agronomic Institute of Parana (Brazil) and used all of the prevention measures provided. A detailed history of pesticide use, as well as personal data, smoking habits, and history of recent illnesses and medical treatment were collected through a standardized questionnaire administered to each subject. Nonexposed subjects, matched for age, sex, and smoking habits, served as the negative control. A total of 100 cells were analyzed from each individual. A significant increase in chromosomal aberration frequencies was observed in exposed individuals when compared to the control group. Some individual characteristics such as age, sex, time of exposure to the pesticides, and smoking habits showed no correlation with chromosomal aberrations. Therefore, the positive results may be considered true effects of pesticides on human somatic cells.
Article
In southeastern Turkey during the period of 1955-57, women were accidentally exposed to the fungicide hexachlorobenzene (HCB) after eating contaminated seed grain and developed porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT). While HCB has been shown to be a potent oocyte toxicant in primates and has been identified as an ovarian follicular fluid contaminant in women, its effect on human reproduction is poorly understood. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of HCB on women with a known high dose exposure. A retrospective controlled cohort comparison study of three groups was conducted. Group 1, those with confirmed PCT; Group 2, controls for the region and Group 3, controls for the country of Turkey, were followed-up after approximately 40 years (n=42/group). Blood samples were taken for analysis of serum HCB, estradiol, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and inhibin. Frequency of HCB detection was greatest in Group 3, while number of cases with HCB values exceeding 1 ng/mL was significantly greater in Groups 1 and 2. There were no differences in the other biochemical measures. Interviews were completed for each patient regarding reproductive history (number of pregnancies, live births, spontaneous abortions, still births and sex of live babies). Multiple comparisons of the three groups, based on Fisher's test found the groups were inhomogeneous. When serum HCB was analyzed using correlated response logistic regression, there was a strong relationship between serum HCB levels and risk for spontaneous abortion but not sex ratio of children. The following findings were made. HCB is detectable and ubiquitous in serum samples from women in the country of Turkey with identified and unidentified exposure events. Spontaneous abortion risk is not restricted to women with identifiable exposure to HCB but to a surrogate marker of exposure (serum HCB sample). The risk of spontaneous abortion with HCB exposure requires further investigation.
Article
We conducted a population-based, case-control study on hematolymphopoietic malignancies in 12 areas in Italy to investigate associations between different hematolymphopoietic malignancies and exposure to solvents and pesticides. We collected all incident cases 20-74 years of age from 12 areas, with a combined population of approximately 7 million residents. The control group was formed by a random sample of the study population. Data presented in this paper refer to 2,737 interviewed cases of 3,357 eligible cases and to 1,779 of 2,391 eligible controls. We analyzed risks associated with occupation using job-title information to evaluate disease pattern according to job category. An earlier publication presented results for women; here, we report the findings for men and discuss the overall patterns in both genders. The most consistent overall finding was an approximate doubling in relative risk for all four types of malignancies among male managers and related occupations. Several additional occupations were associated with elevated risk of one or more malignancies among men. These included cooks, waiters, and bartenders, and building caretakers and cleaners, for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma; textile workers and machinery fitters for Hodgkin's lymphoma; metal processors, material handlers, rubber workers, and painters for leukemia; and hairdressers, metal processors, tailors, electrical workers, and plumbers for multiple myeloma. The finding of increased risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma among both male and female cooks, waiters, and bartenders has not been previously reported; nor has the elevated risk of leukemia among material handlers. Among people engaged in agriculture, those employed as tractor drivers and as orchard, vineyard, and related tree and shrub workers appeared to be at increased risk for hematolymphopoietic malignancies.
Article
We examined the effect of exposure to chemicals present in the production and spraying of phenoxy herbicides or chloro-phenols in two nested case-control studies of soft tissue sarcoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Eleven sarcoma and 32 lymphoma cases occurring within an international cohort were matched for age, sex, and country of residence with 55 and 158 controls, respectively. Exposures to 21 chemicals or mixtures were estimated by three industrial hygienists who were blind to the subject's case-control status. Excess risk of soft tissue sarcoma was associated with exposure to any phenoxy herbicide [odds ratio (OR) = 10.3; 95% confidence interval (Cl) = 1.2-91] and to each of the three major classes of phenoxy herbicides (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 2,4,5-trichloro-phenoxyacetic acid, and 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetic acid), to any polychlorinated dibenzodioxin or furan (OR = 5.6; 95% CI = 1.1-28), and to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxm (OR = 5.2; 95% CI = 0.85-32). Sarcoma risk was not associated with exposure to raw materials or other process chemicals. In the non-Hodgkin's lymphoma study, associations were generally weaker than those found in the study on sarcoma. These findings indicate that workers exposed to phenoxy herbicides and their contaminants are at a higher risk of soft tissue sarcoma. (C) Lippincott-Raven Publishers.
Article
Background We evaluated the mortality pattern of male licensed pesticide users and their wives in central Italy.Methods The cohort consisted of 2978 male farmers licensed for buying and handling toxic pesticides during the period 1971–1973 and 2586 farmers' wives. The Standardized Mortality Ratio (SMRs) and their 95% Confidence Intervals (95% CI) were computed on the basis of regional death rates.ResultsWe found a lower than expected overall and cancer mortality. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was increased among women (SMR = 2.29, 0.62–5.86) but not in male farmers (SMR = 0.90, 0.24–2.30), while both sexes were characterized by an increased risk of leukemia (men: SMR = 1.44, 0.69–2.64; women: SMR = 2.41, 1.04–4.76), mainly due to myeloid leukemia (men: SMR = 2.43, 0.98–5.00; women: SMR = 3.14, 1.02–7.33).Conclusions Men and women tend to share the same mortality profile. The statistically significant increase of leukemia with a threefold increased risk of the myeloid subtype only among women suggests that different pattern of exposure or biological differences between genders should be considered in evaluating health risks in agricultural settings. Am. J. Ind. Med. 36:142–146, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Article
Fungicides include chemicals that are known aneugens. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether occupational exposure to these and other agricultural pesticides induces aneuploidy in human sperm. The contribution of lifestyle factors (smoking and alcohol consumption) to the frequency of aneuploid sperm was evaluated as well. The effects of age and sperm concentration were analyzed as confounders. Spermatozoa from 30 healthy farmers were studied before and after exposure to fungicides, using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Ten thousand spermatozoa were scored per semen sample to determine the disomy and diploidy frequencies for chromosomes 1 and 7. Exposure to fungicides was not associated with sperm aneuploidy. Smoking was significantly associated with sperm carrying an extra chromosome 1 and with diploid sperm as well as with the aggregate frequency of aneuploid sperm. Alcohol consumption, sperm concentration, and age showed inconsistent results before and after the season of exposure to fungicides. For low-level exposures, such as occupational exposures, the sensitivity of the sperm-FISH method may not be sufficient. The present study supports earlier ones showing that smoking can increase aneuploidy in human sperm. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 34:39–46, 1999 © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Article
This study evaluated neuropsychological effects due to chronic organophosphate use among farmers with no history of acute poisoning. Fifty-seven male tree fruit farmers (exposed) were compared with 42 age-matched male cranberry/blueberry growers and hardware store owners (unexposed). Univariate analyses of covariance (reading test as covariate) comparing exposed and unexposed subjects revealed significantly slower reaction time. No other significant differences were noted on tests of concentration, visuomotor skills, memory, expressive language, or mood. Based on an exposure metric derived from detailed exposure histories, farmers were divided into high exposure (n = 40) and low exposure (n = 59) groups, and their neuropsychological performance was compared. Analysis of covariance with age and reading test score as covariates revealed that the high exposure group had significantly slower reaction time, dominant hand. Long-term use of organophosphates without evidence of an acute poisoning episode appears to produce, at most, subtle changes in neuropsychological performance. Am. J. Ind. Med. 32:487–496, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Article
Follow-up on two reports of an excess of keratoses among paraquat production workers was conducted to evaluate the contribution of occupational exposures to the prevalence of keratoses among workers in a paraquat production plant in Texas. A cross-sectional study design was used to compare the prevalence of keratoses among current workers to an age, race, and sex frequency-matched group of their friends who had never worked at the plant. The analysis is based on 112 workers and 232 friends. Exposure, outcome, and covariables used in the analyses were obtained from an interview questionnaire, dermatology exam, and company records. Overall, the prevalence proportion of the presence of any actinic keratoses among workers and friends was similar (0.30 and 0.28, respectively). Among high cumulative exposed workers, the prevalence of any actinic keratoses was 0.40 compared to 0.20 among low-exposed workers and 0.28 among friends. These results were further explored using a multiple logistic regression approach to adjust for known risk and possibly confounding variables. Statistically significant high risks of actinic keratoses were demonstrated for freckling before age 16 years, older age, suntanning behaviors, occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), and Fitzpatrick skin type. There was no significant contribution of overall exposure status (worker vs. friend). Similar to the crude analysis, the odds of actinic keratoses of high-exposed workers compared to friends was 1.9 (confidence interval [CI] = 0.9-4.2) whereas the comparable odds ratio for low-exposed workers vs. friends was 0.6 (CI = 0.2–1.7). These data do not demonstrate an excess of actinic keratoses overall nor any consistent increase in the odds of keratoses with an increase in plant exposure level. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Article
BackgroundA majority of published studies indicate that farmers have an elevated risk of developing non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) compared to other workers.Methods We evaluated accidental exposure to pesticides, the use of personal protective equipment, and exposure to animals among male farm residents in a Canadian population-based, multi-centre, NHL-control questionnaire study.ResultsIn a multivariate model, the following variables had statistically significant adjusted odds ratios (OR) using 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) (a) higher risk: having more than 13 head of swine, raising bison, elk or ostriches, a personal history of cancer, > 4 and ≤ 15 years of farm residence and occupational exposure to diesel fuel and exhaust; (b) lower risk: raising cattle and a personal history of measles.Conclusions Future multidisciplinary studies of NHL should include a comprehensive review of exposure to animals in sufficient detail to assess etiological mechanisms to explain the putative associations between exposure to farm animals and NHL. Am. J. Ind. Med. Suppl. 2:54–61, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Article
Objective: Data from three population-based case–control studies conducted in Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, and Minnesota were pooled to evaluate the relationship between the use of organophosphate pesticides and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) among white male farmers. Methods: The data set included 748 cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and 2236 population-based controls. Telephone or in-person interviews were utilized to obtain information on the use of pesticides. Odds ratios (OR) adjusted for age, state of residence, and respondent status, as well as other pesticide use where appropriate, were estimated by logistic regression. Results: Use of organophosphate pesticides was associated with a statistically significant 50% increased risk of NHL, but direct interviews showed a significantly lower risk (OR = 1.2) than proxy interviews (OR = 3.0). Among direct interviews the risk of small lymphocytic lymphoma increased with diazinon use (OR = 2.8), after adjustment for other pesticide exposures. Conclusions: Although we found associations between the risk of NHL and several groupings and specific organophosphate pesticides, larger risks from proxy respondents complicate interpretation. Associations, however, between reported use of diazinon and NHL, particularly diffuse and small lymphocytic lymphoma, among subjects providing direct interviews are not easily discounted.
Article
The charts of 100 patients with established diagnoses of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) provided the data base for a descriptive study of patients' exposure to herbicides. The study focused on place of residence and occupation during the year prior to diagnosis of GBM. Although subjects reported residences in 33 of the 75 counties in Arkansas, more than one-third of the sample came from just 3 counties in which rice, cotton or wood products are produced. These industries were reported as the occupations of almost one-third of the sample for whom occupations involved a risk of herbicide exposure. The findings of this study add to the epidemiological profile of those at risk for GBM and underscore the need for assessment of residence and occupation on a consistent basis when counseling patients and providing health education.
Article
Major findings from our work on exposures and effects from organophosphate-containing pesticides in selected occupational and community patients and groups in Israel are reviewed as a basis for recommending control measures. The worker groups were pilots, ground-crews, and field workers; exposed nonworkers were adults and children living in kibbutzim with drift exposures, and household residents in houses treated by pest exterminators. In all groups, evidence of exposure-illness associations was found even though persons with acute poisoning were not seen. Complaints (headache, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, breathing problems, abdominal cramps, and tingling in extremities) were associated with within-normal depressions in cholinesterase activity. Whole blood and plasma cholinesterase activity were slightly more sensitive indicators of mixed exposure than red blood cell cholinesterase activity. High alkyl phosphate levels and symptoms were seen in individuals with within-normal limit depressions in cholinesterase activity. Complaints of weakness and tingling in hands and feet, together with low-grade changes in nerve conduction, suggest the possible influence of agents with a neurotoxic esterase-type activity independent of cholinesterase activity. Transient in-season neuropsychological changes in tests of mood status and performance were associated with exposure. Recommendations for exposure reduction include: accelerating the already declining use of pesticides in general, and organophosphates in particular; promoting the shift from more to less toxic organophosphates and other pesticides; and introducing rigid performance specifications for closed systems in loading and mixing at end-user sites. Dermal protection remains a problem. Cholinesterase activity levels and symptom interviews are useful for monitoring workers at risk, but alkyl phosphate levels are the definitive measure of exposure, surveys, investigations and surveillance.
Article
A case-control study has been performed for occupational risk factors of acute leukaemia, based on 185 cases more than 30 years old and 513 matched controls. There was a significant excess of potyvalent farming and electronic engineers among professons of cases, and, in addition of metal workers when considering the professions pursued for more than 5 years. The corresponding exposures were analysed through a detailed questionnaire, and assessed by an industrial hygienist after blinding the case-control status. The odds ratios (OR) were computed after adjustment on matching variables and prior cheerio-or radiotherapy treatment, and after stratification for the level and total duration of exposure. There was no excess of professional exposure to ionizing radiation among cases. A significant relationship was observed between acute leukeemnia and high or medium exposure to benzene, as well as over 10 years high or medium exposure to exhaust gas. In addition a significant relationship was observed with exposure to pesticides—insecticides and/or weed killers—and to electric and magnetic fields (EMF). The relationship with pesticides was significant when considering high or medium exposure to weed killers and more than 10 years ex posure to both subtypes of pesticides. The relationship with pesticides and EMF remained significant when confound ing factors were taken into consideration and after adjustment on co-exposure to benzene. The cytological studies showed that acute leukaemias following exposure to benzene (high or medium) and to EMF were only of myelogenous subtypes, whereas those following exposure to pesticides were divided between Iym phoblastic and myeloblastic subtypes. Cytogenetic studies failed to show increased frequency of chromosomal abnor rnalities, as described in acute leukaemias secondary to anti-cancer treatments. Our study adds credence to the hypothesis that pesticides and EMF are leukaemogenic agents, together with benzene.
Article
In order to analyze the correlation between environmental exposure and the clinicopathological picture in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), cytogenetic, cyto-immunologic and clinical studies were performed in 70 newly diagnosed AML patients, 30 of which were anamnestically exposed to pesticides (21 cases) or to organic solvents (9 cases). Clonal chromosome aberrations, with involvement of chromosome 5 and/or 7 were more frequently encountered among exposed patients. While the classical t(15;17), t(8;21) and t(9;11) were detected more frequently among non-exposed patients, other recurring chromosome changes in the exposed group were: rearrangements leading to total or partial monosomy 17p (5 cases), structural aberrations involving the band 16q22 (4 cases), trisomy 11q (2 cases), breaks involving bands 6p23, 7p14, 11q13 (2 cases each). Cytologically, trilineage myelodysplasia was observed in 21 exposed patients, whereas morphologic aberrations of the non-blast cell population were confined to a minority of cells in most patients non-exposed. Immunologic studies revealed positivity for the CD34 stem cell marker in 80% exposed patients vs 22% in the non-exposed group. Conventional chemotherapy achieved complete remission in 3/21 patients exposed and in 16/32 patients non-exposed. Median survival was 2 months in the former group and 9 months in the latter group. These findings show that AML following occupational exposure to pesticides and organic solvents may represent a distinct cytogenetic and clinicopathological entity.
Article
Past exposure to well water and pesticides was assessed in 128 unselected Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and 256 age and sex-matched controls. All were residents in a defined urban area of Madrid, Spain. In keeping with other reports, we found that exposure to well water might be a factor associated with the likelihood of developing PD, though only prolonged exposures of 30 years or longer were significantly different between PD and controls (p less than 0.02). In contrast, past exposure to pesticides did not appear to be associated with an increased risk of developing PD. Prolonged well water drinking antedating the development of PD was not associated with early onset of the disease, nor did such cases progress to greater disability. Future case-control studies addressing prolonged well water consumption as a risk factor in PD should look for differences in the content of substances other than pesticides in the water as determined by the source of water to which patients may have been specifically exposed.
Article
This study was performed to examine the cancer risk of Danish gardeners having been highly exposed to pesticides. We have followed a cohort of 4,015 employed gardeners (859 females and 3,156 males) from May 1975 until the end of 1984 with regard to cancer incidence. The observed incidence was compared with expected numbers calculated from national incidence rates. For all cancer sites combined, the standardized morbidity ratio (SMbR) was 104. Among male gardeners a significantly increased incidence was seen for soft tissue sarcoma (SMbR = 526, 95% confidence interval (CI): 109-1,538), an chronic lymphatic leukemia (SMbR = 275, 95% CI: 101-599). The incidence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was twice that which was expected (SMbR = 200, 95% CI: 86-393). We suggest that some of the pesticides to which the gardeners have been exposed are capable of initiating or promoting the development of malignant neoplasms in tissues of mesenchymal origin.
Article
This population-based case-control study of 130 Calgary residents with neurologist-confirmed idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) and 260 randomly selected age- and sex-matched community controls attempted to determine whether agricultural work or the occupational use of pesticide chemicals is associated with an increased risk for PD. We obtained by personal interviews lifetime occupational histories, including chemical exposure data, and analyzed the data using conditional logistic regression for matched sets. In the univariate analysis, a history of field crop farming, grain farming, herbicide use, or insecticide use resulted in a significantly increased crude estimate of the PD risk, and the data suggested a dose-response relation between the PD risk and the cumulative lifetime exposure to field crop farming and to grain farming. However, in the multivariate analysis, which controlled for potential confounding or interaction between the exposure variables, previous occupational herbicide use was consistently the only significant predictor of PD risk. These results support the hypothesis that the occupational use of herbicides is associated with an increased risk for PD.
Article
There is need in reproductive epidemiology for sensitive and convenient screening tools that can be used to study environmental and occupational exposures. The measurement of fecundability (the probability of pregnancy in each cycle) by ascertaining how long it takes couples to conceive, may be useful for this purpose. Theoretically, exposures that interfere with any of the biologic processes involved in achieving pregnancy could lower fecundability among exposed men or women. To evaluate problems with collecting data on time to pregnancy, telephone interviews were conducted with nearly 700 pregnant women who reported having planned their pregnancies. Power curves were developed based on the distribution of time to pregnancy in the interviewed population. These curves indicate that relatively small sample sizes are sufficient for investigating an exposure. For example, the authors estimate that to detect a given 50% drop in mean fecundability with 80% power would require data from 55 exposed and 55 unexposed women who are pregnant. Disadvantages of using time to pregnancy as a reproductive endpoint include susceptibility to selection bias and need for data on several potential confounding variables. The next step in evaluating time to pregnancy as a reproductive endpoint is to apply it in studies of environmental or occupational exposures.
Article
The induction of chromosomal aberrations (CA) was studied in the peripheral lymphocytes of 29 male agricultural workers occupationally exposed to several pesticides. To investigate possible exposure-related changes in the frequency of CA, a longitudinal study has been conducted. Two blood samples were taken from each individual: one in a period of high exposure (spring-summer) and the other in a period of lower exposure (autumn-winter). Simultaneously, two matched control groups constituted by 29 and 24 healthy men, without indication of exposure to pesticides, were analysed. During the period of major exposure, the group of agricultural workers showed a significant increase in the frequency of CA, mainly of chromatid-type, when compared to the unexposed control group; nevertheless, this increase in the expression of CA was not found in the period of minor exposure. This finding could indicate that the frequency of CA is related to the intensity of the pesticide exposure, and that CA have a relatively short-life, recovering the control value a few months later. In addition to the cytogenetic analysis, biochemical and haemotological blood parameters were also analysed and no significant variations were detected.
Article
This article is a critical synthesis of 12 papers included in this supplement. The set deals with the short- and long-term effects of improving nutrition in Guatemalan villages characterized by deficient diets, high rates of infection and pronounced growth retardation in the first 3 y of life. The data reviewed come from two studies carried out over two decades: the Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panama (INCAP) longitudinal study (1966-1977) and its follow-up (1988-1989). The longitudinal study included a nutrition intervention that improved the energy and nutrient intakes of women and preschool children. Its effects included improved birthweights, reduced infant mortality rates and improved growth rates in children < 3 y of age. Growth rates from 3 to 7 y of age, similar to those of well-nourished children, were not affected by the intervention. The follow-up study was conducted when the subjects were 11-27 y old. Among the long-term effects found were greater stature and fat-free mass, particularly in females, improved work capacity in males and enhanced intellectual performance in both genders. The nutrition intervention did not, on the other hand, accelerate maturation during adolescence, as measured by skeletal age or age at menarche. It is concluded that improved nutrition in early childhood has important long-term effects in the adolescent and adult.
Article
Studies of perinatal exposures to dioxin-like compounds (DLCs), coplanar polycyclic halogenated aromatics whose prototype is 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), have employed a variety of outcome measures to investigate effects on the reproductive/developmental, endocrine, immune, and neurobehavioral systems. The effects include infertility, growth retardation, fetal loss, changed sexual differentiation, reduced cognitive/motor function, dermatologic and other ectodermal effects, and decreased immune response. Significant biomarkers have included sperm count; CD4/CD8 ratio; and levels of testosterone, T4, and dopamine. Using specific dioxin or PCB congeners, these and other markers were used to investigate the mechanisms of the observed effects. The DLCs, which include some PCB congeners, are characterized by high-affinity binding to the Ah receptor; most biological effects are thought to be mediated by the ligand-Ah receptor complex. Other PCB congeners have low affinity for the Ah receptor, and operate by non-Ah receptor mechanisms. The biologic activity of a PCB mixture is the sum of the agonist and antagonist activities of the different constituents in the mixture. Animal studies with specific PCB congeners can help to clarify these activities. With similar approaches, biologic markers of effect can be developed and applied in epidemiologic studies to monitor for, and predict, adverse effects in humans.
Article
To establish the degree of validity of data on time to pregnancy, derived retrospectively using a short questionnaire. Information from the questionnaire was compared with data that had been collected concurrently from the same individuals. Questionnaires were mailed to 1647 women who continue to be followed up by the Oxford Family Planning Association contraceptive study, and a further 424 were approached for personal interview. Response rates were 91% and 79% respectively. Matching was successful in 91% of pregnancies. Median recall time was 14 years (interquartile range, 11-16 years). At the group level, remarkably good agreement was found between the two sources of information, presented as cumulative percentage distributions of live births. The findings were at least as good with longer recall (> 14 years) as with shorter recall. Digit performance was present to a limited degree. At the individual level, some misclassification was evident, which has implications for statistical power. For detection of clinical infertility (no conception within 12 months), the sensitivity was in the range 67%-91%, and the specificity was 92%-96%. Variations with format, duration of recall, age at delivery, year of birth, parity, social class, smoking habit, last contraceptive method, and outcome (live birth or not) were generally small, and were not statistically significant. Time to pregnancy is a sensitive way of assessing reproductive function in either sex. Valid data at a group level can be derived retrospectively, with a long duration of recall, using a short questionnaire.
Article
Organophosphate-based pesticides are widely used throughout the world. The acute effects of over-exposure to such compounds are well known. Concern has also been expressed that long-term exposure may result in damage to the nervous system. In a cross-sectional study, we compared neuropsychological performance in 146 sheep farmers who were exposed to organophosphates in the course of sheep dipping with 143 non-exposed quarry workers (controls). The farmers performed significantly worse than controls in tests to assess sustained attention and speed of information processing. These effects remained after adjustment for covariates. The farmers also showed greater vulnerability to psychiatric disorder than did the controls as measured by the General Health Questionnaire. There were no observed effects on short-term memory and learning. Repeated exposure to organophosphate-based pesticides appears to be associated with subtle changes in the nervous system. Measures should be taken to reduce exposure to organophosphates as far as possible during agricultural operations.
Article
In a group of 34 industrial workers, chronically exposed to organophosphorus (OP) compounds, serum pseudocholinesterase activity was depressed significantly in the exposed group as compared to the control group. There was a significantly higher incidence of peripheral neuropathy among the workers exposed to OP compounds, as compared to the control group. Mild to profound sensorineural hearing deficits were detected in both the exposed and control groups. As the pre-exposure hearing status of the workers was not known and since many other factors can also cause pathological changes in the cochlear nerve, a definite conclusion about the ototoxic nature of the OP compounds could not be drawn.
Article
An 18-year follow-up for mortality and cancer morbidity was conducted in a cohort of 1,909 men who had started spraying chlorophenoxy herbicides (mixture of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid [2,4-D] and 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid [2,4,5-T]) in 1955 through 1971. In all, 384 persons had died during the follow-up, and there was a slight deficit in natural deaths (standardized mortality ratio [SMR] 0.84; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.75-0.94). By contrast, there was a small, nonsignificant increase in accidental and violent deaths. The overall cancer mortality was slightly less than in the general population (SMR 0.83; 95% CI 0.65-1.02), and not a single case of death of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) or soft tissue sarcomas (STS) was detected. With regard to cancer morbidity, the incident cases showed a slight deficit compared to the population figure (standardized incidence ratio [SIR] 0.81; 95% CI 0.67-0.97). One case of NHL was found (2.4 expected with 10 years of latency), but not a single case of STS (0.8 expected with 10 years of latency). While our study does not support the contention that spraying of 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T containing herbicides carries any significant risk of cancer, the medium to low statistical power of the study does not allow any far reaching negative conclusions regarding the carcinogenicity of the agents.
Article
Psychological, psychosocial, and psychophysiological sequelae were studied in a community which had experienced a railroad chemical spill of 19,000 gallons of the toxic pesticide metam sodium. Two hundred twenty exposed residents were compared to 114 controls and paired on age, education, gender, race, and number of children. A clinical interview and physiological measurements (blood pressure, pulse, and cortisol level) were taken, the MMPI-2, IES Scale, Mood Scale, Environmental Worry, Perceived Social Support, and Perceived Control Scale and a questionnaire were administered. Results indicated greater levels of depression, anxiety, and somatic symptoms in the spill residents in addition to greater environmental worry and lower perceived social support. Spill residents had higher blood pressure and less fluctuation of cortisol levels than controls. No difference on litigation status was obtained except on the IES, Intrusion and the POMS scales. Chemical disasters are associated with a wide variety of psychological, psychosocial, and physiological distress.
Article
We studied the relation between birth defects and maternal agricultural work in a nationwide time- and area-matched case-referent series of 1,306 pairs of infants (581 orofacial clefts, 365 central nervous system defects, 360 skeletal defects) obtained through the Finnish Register of Congenital Malformations. We supplemented the Register data, including the mothers' latest and previous pregnancies, diseases, consumption of drugs and alcohol, smoking habits, and the like, with detailed interviews on the mothers' work conditions. When all of the birth defects were pooled and agricultural work was compared with nonagricultural work in the first trimester of pregnancy, the adjusted odds ratio was 1.4 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.9-2.0]. For orofacial clefts, the corresponding odds ratio was 1.9 (95% CI = 1.1-3.5). An industrial hygienist's blinded assessment indicated that seven mothers of infants with orofacial clefts and three reference mothers had been exposed to pesticides in agricultural work; the adjusted odds ratio for work with pesticide exposure, when compared with unexposed agricultural work, was 1.9 (95% CI = 0.4-8.3). Exposure to solvents did not explain the observed association.
Article
This case-control study, performed in a mixed rural and urban province, of 74 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and 148 unselected age and sex-matched controls, attempted to look possible risk factors for PD. Rural living, well-water drinking, positive family history for PD and postural tremor, were associated to an increased risk for PD, with results regarding exposure to pesticides near to statistical significance. Alcohol-drinking habit in males were associated to a decreased risk for PD, with results regarding cigarette-smoking habit in males near to statistical significance. We did not find association between the risk for PD and the following variables: 1) exposure to industrial toxins; 2) agricultural work; 3) cranial trauma; 4) previous common illnesses including some infections, arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease and thyroid disease; 5) coffee and tea drinking habits.
Article
There is an increased risk for agricultural workers to acquire skin problems, but data so far published are still very scarce. To individualize skin disorders that involved this class of workers. Between 1990 and 1992, 426 agricultural workers, authorized to use pesticides, were examined. The control group consisted of 100 nonagriculture workers, who were age and sex matched. Some common dermatological diseases, such as vitiligo, psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis, had an incidence overlapping with that found in the controls. Irritant plant dermatoses (2.5%), episodes of acute systemic intoxication from pesticides (6.8%), onychopathies due to chronic trauma (16%), contact dermatitis of the hands (12%), chilblains (7%) and Favre-Racouchot syndrome (2.5%) showed a higher prevalence in the study group. Farmers were affected mainly by diseases caused by the direct action of chemical agents, either natural or industrial, in addition to climatic and physical agents.
Article
A previous report on the mortality of this cohort of Florida (United States) pest control workers found the risk of lung cancer was positively associated with the number of years licensed. An additional follow-up (1977-82) of this male cohort confirmed the excess (SMR = 1.4) and the rising risk with increasing number of years licensed (SMR = 2.2 among workers employed more than 20 years). A nested case-control study was undertaken to determine the effects of smoking and the type of pesticide exposure on lung cancer risk. Occupational histories and other data were obtained on 65 deceased lung cancer cases, 122 deceased controls, and 172 living controls. Interviews were conducted with next-of-kin regardless of the vital status of the subject. Odds ratios (OR) were adjusted by age and smoking. Adjustments for diet and other occupations had no effect on risk estimates and were not included in the final model. Using information from licensing records, ORs for lung cancer were greater for workers first licensed before age 40 (OR = 2.4, 95 percent confidence interval [CI] = 1.0-5.9 with deceased controls) and increased from 1.4 (CI = 0.7-3.0) for subjects licensed 10-19 years to 2.1 (CI = 0.8-5.5) for subjects licensed 20 or more years. Using living controls, an association with duration of employment was observed when years of licensure were lagged five years, but was not observed in unlagged analyses. Using information from the questionnaire, the risk of lung cancer was greater among those who worked as pest control operators than non-pest control workers.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Article
To study the cognitive changes following chronic occupational exposure to organophosphate (OP) pesticides, a clinical and neurophysiological study was performed on 31 workers engaged in spraying fenthion, an OP pesticide. The mean age of the workers was 32.1 years (range 19-55) and mean duration of exposure 10.5 years (range 1-14). The workers reported mild transient symptoms after spraying. There was no clinical evidence suggestive of excessive cholinergic activity. Clinical psychometry revealed significant changes in Benton visual retention test, memory quotient, and Alexander's Passalong Test. Serum AChE level was 27% less in the exposed group compared to the controls. P3 of event related potentials were elicited in 28 subjects, P3 latency though was prolonged in one subject only but the group difference was significant. The amplitude of P3 however did not show significant difference. The results suggest subtle subclinical effect of chronic fenthion exposure on the cognitive functions and event related potentials.
Article
Four years of additional mortality follow-up through 1986 are reported for a previously studied cohort of 878 chemical workers who were potentially exposed to 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and its derivatives between 1945 and 1983. Observed mortality was compared with expected levels based on death rates of the US population and of 36,804 "unexposed" workers from the same manufacturing location. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) was a particular focus of the study because of a suggested association with 2,4-D exposure in some case-control studies. For the total observation period, the standardized mortality ratios for all causes and for malignant neoplasms were 92 and 91, respectively. Analyses using the internal comparison group yielded virtually identical results. The initial study had found two deaths from NHL, both of which occurred under circumstances (ie, short latency and modest exposure) which made it less plausible that they were related to 2,4-D exposure. No new deaths from NHL were observed in the extended follow-up period and mortality for this cause showed a nonstatistically significant excess (standardized mortality ratio, 196; 95% confidence interval 24 to 708) for the total observation period. Analyses by production area, and by two different measures of exposure, combined with two different approaches to account for latency, did not show patterns suggestive of a causal relationship between exposure to 2,4-D or its derivatives and any particular cause of death.
Article
Sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) and chromosome aberrations (CA) were studied in the lymphocytes of 70 male agricultural workers occupationally exposed to several pesticides and 69 matched controls, without indication of exposure to pesticides, from 'El Maresme' (Barcelona, Spain), Comparison between both groups revealed that the individuals exposed to pesticides show substantial clastogenic effects in their lymphocytes without indication of increases in the basal frequency of SCE; moreover, these effects seem to be additive, increasing with the duration of exposure measured in years. When two confounding factors such as age and smoking habits are considered, we found that these factors increase significantly the expression of SCE although no effect was detected in the expression of CA.
Article
We compared personal histories of 127 cases and 245 controls to identify possible environmental risk factors for idiopathic parkinsonism (IP). Of our controls, 121 had cardiac disease (CD) and 124 were randomly selected from electoral lists (voters). Using logistic regression and adjusting for sex and age, we ran separate analyses: IP versus CD and IP versus voters. A full occupational history was collected, as was known contact with all pesticides associated with the tree fruit sector of the agricultural industry. We found a significant association between IP and having had an occupation in which exposure through handling or directly contacting pesticides was probable, but no specific chemicals were associated with IP. We conclude that although occupations involving the use of agricultural chemicals may predispose to the development of IP, it seems likely that the pathogenesis is multifactorial rather than related to a specific agent.
Article
To evaluate chronic effects of acute organophosphate pesticide poisoning, quantitatively determined vibrotactile thresholds were measured as an index of peripheral neuropathy among agricultural workers in Nicaragua. Thirty-six male workers were evaluated between 10 and 34 months after hospitalization for acute organophosphate poisoning and compared to an age- and sex-matched community reference group. Vibrotactile thresholds were measured quantitatively in right and left index fingers and right and left great toes. Study subjects were stratified into three groups: 1) never poisoned; 2) poisoned with organophosphates other than methamidophos, agents which have not been reported to cause peripheral neuropathy; and 3) poisoned with methamidophos, a peripheral neurotoxin. For all digits, there was a statistically significant trend of increasing age- and height-adjusted thresholds across these three exposure categories. Over one fourth of patients previously poisoned with methamidophos we studied had abnormal vibrotactile thresholds. These results suggest that previously reported cases of organophosphate-induced delayed polyneuropathy may represent only the worst disease in a spectrum of impairment, a sequela of exposure that may be much more common than previously thought.