Health risk assessment of organochlorine pesticide exposure through dietary intake of vegetables grown in the periurban sites of Delhi, India

Sustainable approach for the expulsion of metaldehyde: risk, interactions, and mitigation: a review

All pests can be eliminated with the help of pesticides, which can be either natural or synthetic. Because of the excessive use of pesticides, it is harmful to both ecology and people's health. Pesticides are categorised according to several criteria: their chemical composition, method of action, effects, timing of use, source of manufacture, and formulations. Many aquatic animals, birds, and critters live in danger owing to hazardous pesticides. Metaldehyde is available in various forms and causes significant impact even when small amounts are ingested. Metaldehyde can harm wildlife, including dogs, cats, and birds. This review discusses pesticides, their types and potential environmental issues, and metaldehyde's long-term effects. In addition, it examines ways to eliminate metaldehyde from the aquatic ecosystem before concluding by anticipating how pesticides may affect society. The metal-organic framework and other biosorbents have been appropriately synthesized and subsequently represent the amazing removal of pesticides from effluent as an enhanced adsorbent, such as magnetic nano adsorbents. A revision of the risk assessment for metaldehyde residuals in aqueous sources is also attempted.

Redox mechanisms of environmental toxicants on male reproductive function

Humans and wildlife, including domesticated animals, are exposed to a myriad of environmental contaminants that are derived from various human activities, including agricultural, household, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and industrial products. Excessive exposure to pesticides, heavy metals, and phthalates consequently causes the overproduction of reactive oxygen species. The equilibrium between reactive oxygen species and the antioxidant system is preserved to maintain cellular redox homeostasis. Mitochondria play a key role in cellular function and cell survival. Mitochondria are vulnerable to damage that can be provoked by environmental exposures. Once the mitochondrial metabolism is damaged, it interferes with energy metabolism and eventually causes the overproduction of free radicals. Furthermore, it also perceives inflammation signals to generate an inflammatory response, which is involved in pathophysiological mechanisms. A depleted antioxidant system provokes oxidative stress that triggers inflammation and regulates epigenetic function and apoptotic events. Apart from that, these chemicals influence steroidogenesis, deteriorate sperm quality, and damage male reproductive organs. It is strongly believed that redox signaling molecules are the key regulators that mediate reproductive toxicity. This review article aims to spotlight the redox toxicology of environmental chemicals on male reproduction function and its fertility prognosis. Furthermore, we shed light on the influence of redox signaling and metabolism in modulating the response of environmental toxins to reproductive function. Additionally, we emphasize the supporting evidence from diverse cellular and animal studies.

Shotgun Proteomic-Based Approach with a Q-Exactive Hybrid Quadrupole-Orbitrap High-Resolution Mass Spectrometer for Protein Adductomics on a 3D Human Brain Tumor Neurospheroid Culture Model: The Identification of Adduct Formation in Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase-2 and Annexin-A1 Induced by Pesticide Mixture

Pesticides are increasingly used in combinations in crop protection, resulting in enhanced toxicities for various organisms. Although protein adductomics is challenging, it remains a powerful bioanalytical tool to check environmental exposure and characterize xenobiotic adducts as putative toxicity biomarkers with high accuracy, facilitated by recent advances in proteomic methodologies and a mass spectrometry high-throughput technique. The present study aims to predict the potential neurotoxicity effect of imidacloprid and λ-cyhalothrin insecticides on human neural cells. Our protocol consisted first of 3D in vitro developing neurospheroids derived from human brain tumors and then treatment by pesticide mixture. Furthermore, we adopted a bottom-up proteomic-based approach using nanoflow ultraperformance liquid chromatography coupled with a high-resolution mass spectrometer for protein-adduct analysis with prediction of altered sites. Two proteins were selected, namely, calcium-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase-II (CaMK2) and annexin-A1 (ANXA1), as key targets endowed with primordial roles. De novo sequencing revealed several adduct formations in the active site of 82-ANXA1 and 228-CaMK2 as a result of neurotoxicity, predicted by the added mass shifts for the structure of electrophilic precursors. To the best of our knowledge, our study is the first to adopt a proteomic-based approach to investigate in depth pesticide molecular interactions and their potential to adduct proteins which play a crucial role in the neurotoxicity mechanism.

Widespread use of toxic agrochemicals and pesticides for agricultural products storage in Africa and developing countries: Possible panacea for ecotoxicology and health implications

Chemicals used for storage majorly possess insecticidal activities - deterring destructive insect pests and microorganisms from stored agricultural produce. Despite the controversy about their safety, local farmers and agro-wholesalers still predominantly use these chemicals in developing countries, especially Africa, to ensure an all-year supply of agriproducts. These chemicals could have short- or long-term effects. Despite the state-of-the-art knowledge, factors such as poor education and awareness, limited agricultural subventions, quests for cheap chemicals, over-dosage, and many more are the possible reasons for these toxic chemicals' setback and persistent use in developing countries. This paper provides an up-to-date review of the environmental and ecological effects, as well as the health impacts arising from the indiscriminate use of toxic chemicals in agriproducts. Existing data link pesticides to endocrine disruption, genetic mutations, neurological dysfunction, and other metabolic disorders, apart from the myriad of acute effects. Finally, this study recommended several naturally sourced preservatives as viable alternatives to chemical counterparts and emphasized the invaluable role of education and awareness programs in mitigating the use in developing nations for a sustainable society.

Characteristics and Residual Health Risk of Organochlorine Pesticides in Fresh Vegetables in the Suburb of Changchun, Northeast China

In this study, eleven organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in fresh vegetables in the Changchun suburb were investigated, and their potential health risks were evaluated. The average concentrations of OCPs in edible parts of vegetables were found in the following descending order: Σhexachlorocyclohexanes (ΣHCHs) (6.60 µg·kg^-1) > Σdichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (ΣDDTs) (5.82 µg·kg^-1) > ΣChlordanes (2.37 µg·kg^-1) > heptachlor (0.29 µg·kg^-1). Moreover, OCPs in different types of vegetables exceeded the maximum residue limits (MRLs), and the exceeding rates in various vegetables decreased in the following order: leafy vegetables (19.12%) > root vegetables (18.75%) > fruit vegetables (3.85%). The proportions of OCPs exceeding MRL in different vegetables were found in the following descending order: Welsh onion (22.50%) > radish (18.75%) > Chinese cabbage (14.29%) > pepper (6.90%) > cucumber (3.23%) > eggplant (2.94%) > tomato (2.78%). The sources' identification results showed that DDTs in vegetables came mainly from newly imported technical DDTs and dicofol, while HCHs originated mainly from lindane. For both adults and children, the average target hazard quotients (avg. THQ) were all less than 1, and the average hazard index (avg. HI) values were 0.043 and 0.036, respectively. There were no significant health risks associated with OCP exposure for the inhabitants of the study area.

Emerging frontiers in microbe-mediated pesticide remediation: Unveiling role of omics and In silico approaches in engineered environment

The overuse of pesticides for augmenting agriculture productivity always comes at the cost of environment, biodiversity, and human health and has put the land, water, and environmental footprints under severe threat throughout the globe. Underpinning and maximizing the microbiome functions in pesticide-contaminated environments has become a prerequisite for a sustainable environment and resilient agriculture. It is imperative to elucidate the metabolic network of the microbial communities and environmental variables at the contaminated site to predict the best strategy for remediation and soil microbe-pesticide interactions. High throughput next-generation sequencing and in silico analysis allow us to identify and discern the members and characteristics of core microbiomes at the contaminated site. Integration of modern high throughput multi-omics investigations and informatics pipelines provide novel approaches and pathways to capitalize on the core microbiomes for enhancing environmental functioning and mitigation. The role of eco-genomics tools in visualising the microbial network, taxonomy, functional potential, and environmental variables in contaminated habitats is discussed in this review. The integrated role of the potential microbe identification as individual or consortia, mechanistic approach for pesticide degradation, identification of responsible enzymes/genes, and in silico approach is emphasized for the prospects of the area.

Microplastics and trace metals in fish species of the Gulf of Mannar (Indian Ocean) and evaluation of human health

The importance of microplastic (MPs) contamination in marine environments is reflected by increasing number of studies in fish species. Some even dedicated to the toxicological effects from the ingestion. Microplastics (MPs) and their trace metal composition were examined in the muscle and intestine of five commercially important fish species (i.e., Sufflamen fraenatus, Heniochus acuminatus, Atropus atropos, Pseudotriacanthus and Leiognathus brevirostris) from Thoothukudi at the Gulf of Mannar coast in south India. The abundance and morphology of MPs (size, shape, and texture) in muscle and intestinal were investigated by micro-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (μ-FT-IR) and atomic force microscope (AFM). ICP-OES was used to investigate the adsorption/leaching of trace metals in microplastics in order to assess health risk for adults and children. Particles of 100-250 μm and white color dominated, and the mean abundances (items/100 g) of total MPs were more in Pseudotriacanthus (muscle: 51.2; intestine: 50.1) compared to Heniochus acuminatus (muscle: 9.6; intestine: 15), Leiognathus brevirostris (muscle: 12; intestine: 13.2) and Atropus atropus (muscle: 15.2; intestine: 44.1). Polyethylene (35.3%), polypropylene (27.2%), polyamide (nylon) (22.2%) and fiber (15.3%) represented the MPs present in muscles, and polyamide (nylon) (30.2%), polyethylene (28.1%), polypropylene (25.9%), and fiber (15.8%) composed the intestine MPs. We estimated possible consumption of 121-456 items of MPs/week by adults and about 19-68 items of MPs/week by children by considering the sizes of safe meals. Zn, Cu, Mn and Cr in these fish species reflected influence of the sewage waste. However, the non-carcinogenic risk evaluated through EDI, THQ, HI, and CR did not suggest any immediate health problem for the consumers.

Risk assessment of pesticide residues from foods of plant origin in Lebanon

Pesticide residues can be found in foods of plant origin which can cause adverse health effects. The aim of this study is to assess the risk of exposure to pesticide residues (180) from foods (478 samples of 49 food items) of plant origin collected in Beirut, Lebanon. Pesticides were extracted by QuEChERS method and analyzed through liquid and gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Of the 387 samples, 58 (32.2%) residues were detected. Over 50 % of the positive samples for 14 residues were exceeding the Maximum Residue Limits of European Union. All of the hazard quotient (HQ) values were less than 1 with respect to all age groups except for the pesticide residue chlorpyrifos in cucumber (1.7945). This suggests that the majority of foods examined for the pesticide residues can be considered safe for consumption by Lebanese children, although Chlorpyrifos in cucumber was of concern.

Long-term monitoring of 155 multi-class pesticide residues in Indian vegetables and their risk assessment for consumer safety

A systematic long-term study was conducted to monitor the pesticide residues in commercially important vegetables that are produced, consumed, and exported from India. Residues of 155 commonly used pesticides were determined in 966 samples of cabbage, green chilli, and okra grown in North and North-Western part of India. The residues were extracted using modified Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe (QuEChERS) method and quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry. Acetamiprid, cypermethrin, imidacloprid, metalaxyl, and profenofos were the most frequently detected pesticides. No pesticide was detected in 94.4% cabbage, 34.5% green chilli, and 61% okra samples. The chronic risk assessment due to the dietary exposure of the pesticides was evaluated for Indian adult and child. The results suggested that the detected residue levels in vegetables were within safe limits and their consumption will not pose any dietary risk to the consumers.

Exposure to DDT and HCH congeners and associated potential health risks through khat (Catha edulis) consumption among adults in South Wollo, Ethiopia

Khat (Catha edulis) chewing is widespread in the region of East Africa. Even low levels of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in khat could induce public health concern. In a market-based study, from five popular khat varieties, a total of 35 composite khat samples were analyzed for dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its main transformation products, and four hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomers. Extraction was carried out by quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe method (QuEChERS). OCP concentrations were determined by head space solid phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS). Every sample contained β-HCH above the maximum residue limit set by the European Commission. For total DDT, this was the case for 25.7% of the samples. The ratios of (p,p'-DDD + p,p'-DDE) to p,p'-DDT were less than one for 85% of khat samples, demonstrating recent use of DDT in khat farmlands. Conversely, the ratio of β-HCH to total HCH varied from 0.56 to 0.96, implying historical input of technical HCH. Assuming a daily chewable portion of 100 g, dietary intakes of p,p'-DDT, total DDT and total HCH by adults ranged from 3.12 to 57.9, 6.49 to 80.2 and 39.2 to 51.9 ng (kg body weight)^-1 day^-1, respectively. These levels are below acceptable levels suggested by international organizations. Chewing khat showed lower non-cancer health risk, but showed relatively higher cancer risk in terms of OCPs. Because khat is chewed without being subjected to any treatment, uncertainties associated with estimated intakes and health risks should be low. Therefore, this practice is of great concern.

Endophytic Isaria javanica pf185 Persists after Spraying and Controls Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and Colletotrichum acutatum (Glomerellales: Glomerellaceae) in Pepper

Simple Summary

The green peach aphid (Myzus persicae) and the phytopathogenic fungus Colletotrichum acutatum cause significant losses in a wide variety of crops. To efficiently protect their crops, farmers use chemical pesticides, but this kind of practice is not sustainable because of its negative effects on the environment. This study suggests an environmentally friendly method such as the use of the endophytic Isaria javanica pf185 in pepper plants. Suspension of the endophytic fungus (EF) was sprayed on plants under cage while those same leaves were sampled and assessed under laboratory conditions. The EF can both penetrate inside the leaf tissues and survive on the surface of the leaf after five weeks. The suspension showed an evident insecticidal efficiency against M. persicae and a lower one against C. acutatum. Therefore, its antifungal efficiency against C. acutatum was not correlated with weather patterns. Authors recommend I. javanica pf185 as a potential biocontrol agent against M. persicae and C. acutatum.

Abstract

This study endeavored to sustainably control aphids and anthracnose after spraying endophytic Isaria javanica pf185 under field conditions. Under two different tents; one batch of seedlings was sprayed with a 10⁷ conidia/mL I. javanica pf185 suspension; while another was sprayed with 0.05% Tween 80^® in distilled water. Six leaf discs from the top; middle; and bottom part of the plant canopy were weekly collected and placed on moistened filter paper in a Petri dish for insecticidal and antifungal bioassays against Myzus persicae and Colletotrichum acutatum. Differences were noticed from the 18th day after spraying with mortality (86.67 ± 0.57% versus 36.67 ± 0.64%) and leaf damage (13.45 ± 0.03% versus 41.18 ± 0.06%) on fungus-treated and controlled, respectively. The corrected insecticidal efficacy was 20.43, 39.82, 72.32, 66.43 and 70.04%, while the corrected fungicidal efficacy was 26.07, 38.01, 53.35, 29.08 and 41.81% during five successive weeks. A positive correlation was evident between insecticidal efficacy and relative humidity (r² = 0.620) and temperature (r² = 0.424), respectively. No correlation was found between antifungal activity and relative humidity (r² = 0.061) and temperature (r² = 0), respectively. The entomopathogenic fungus survived on leaf surface area and in tissues after spraying.

Broad host range bacteriophages found in rhizosphere soil of a healthy tomato plant in Bulgaria

The urgent need of research of new approaches to control bacterial disease on economical important crops, focuses our attention on bacteriophages as alternative biocontrol agents. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to present the isolation and initial characterization of three bacteriophages (SfXv124t/1, 2 and 3) isolated from rhizosphere soil of a healthy tomato plant in Bulgaria that are capable to lyse three phytopathogenic bacteria. The initial characterization includes determination of: their host range, plaque morphology, optimal storage temperature of pure phage lysates, their sensitivity to UV light, thermal inactivation, optimal multiplicity of infection (MOI) and virion morphology. The obtained results showed that one of the phage isolates was capable to lyse wild strains from three phytopathogenic bacterial species: Xanthomonas vesicatoria, Xanthomonas euvesicatoria and Xanthomonas gardneri, and the two remaining phages were active against X. vesicatoria and X. euvesicatoria. On X. vesicatoria lawn, the phages produced the same plaque types that differed only in their size. Storage at 4 °C for 26 days did not lead to decrease in phage titer as opposed to storage at 28 °C followed by decrease to varying degree for all three phages. The results obtained after exposure of the phage lysates to sunlight (UVA + B) and UVC light in separate experiments showed that UVC had a potent phagocidal effect as after 50 min of exposure there were no viable phages in the samples. UVA an UVB had lethal effect for two of the phage isolates and absolutely no lethal effect for the third one as after 50 min of exposure to sunlight there was no decrease in the initial phage titer. Phage isolates were tested for their thermal inactivation after incubation of pure phage lysates at three different temperatures: 55 °C, 75 °C and 95 °C for a period of 10 and 30 min. The most lethal temperature turned out to be 95 °C as after 10 min there were no viable phages in the samples. Phage isolate SfXv124t/1 was the most susceptible as its titer decreased by 1 lg after 10 min of incubation at 55 °C and by another 1 lg after 30 min. The most thermally resistant isolate was SfXv124t/3 as its titer remained stable after 30 min of incubation at 55 °C and decreased only by lg after incubation at 75 °C for 10 min. The optimal MOI for SfXv124t/3 was 0,01 (tested range 0,01–100) with maximal phage titer, reported at the 24^th hour of incubation. TEM micrographs of the same isolates reveals that it belongs to family Podoviridae.

Contamination of Foods from Cameroon with Residues of 20 Halogenated Pesticides, and Health Risk of Adult Human Dietary Exposure

(1) Background: Halogenated pesticides are abundantly used in Cameroon, but there is no information on the health risk of consumers from exposure to their residues in foods. (2) Methods: Residues of 20 halogenated pesticides were determined in 11 agricultural products collected in the 3 largest cities of Cameroon using QuEChERS extraction and gas chromatography with electron capture detector (GC-ECD), and health risk from dietary exposure was assessed. (3) Results: Organochlorines pesticides aldrin, p,p'-dichlorodiphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT) and β-hexachlorocyclohexane (β-HCH) found in 85.0%, 81.9% and 72.5% of samples, respectively, were the most frequently detected. The highest average concentrations of residues were 1.12, 0.74 and 0.39 mg/kg for methoxychlor, alachlor and β-HCH, respectively, found in chilli pepper. Chili pepper (58.9%), cowpea (56.8%), black beans (56.5%) and kidney beans (54.0%) exhibited the highest residue occurrences. Levels above the European Union maximum residue limits (MRLs) were found for all the 20 pesticides, in 40.1% of the positive analyses, and the food samples contained 14 pesticides banned in Cameroon. Chronic, acute, cumulative and carcinogenic risk assessments revealed that lifetime consumption of maize, black beans, kidney beans, groundnuts and chili pepper contaminated with aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, HCB, heptachlor, o,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDD, p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDE and β-HCH, could pose health risks. (4) Conclusion: These results show that there is an urgent need of pesticide usage regulation, effective application of pesticide bans and management of obsolete pesticide stocks in Cameroon.

A mixed-methods study of pesticide exposures in Breastmilk and Community & Lactating Women's perspectives from Haryana, India

BACKGROUND

Population growth which has resulted in a need for increased crop yields to sustain food security, in addition to the effects of climate change, have led to the widespread use of chemical pesticides. The indiscriminate use of pesticides has in turn led to contamination of the environment, food commodities and bioaccumulation in human tissues, particularly in agrarian regions of India including the northern state of Haryana.

METHODS

We conducted a pilot screening study to investigate the presence of organochlorine, organophosphate, and pyrethroid pesticides in breastmilk samples (n = 75) from Haryana, India. Pesticide analyses were conducted using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for OC and OP pesticides and GC-electron capture detector for pyrethroids. The study was complemented by a qualitative evaluation of maternal and community perceptions, knowledge, attitudes and practices associated with pesticide use and risk of exposure (n = 30 in-depth interviews; n = 9 focus group discussions).

RESULTS

Analysis of breastmilk showed the presence of p,p'-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) in 4% (range:

CONCLUSIONS

In our small sample, breastmilk pesticide concentrations were low and did not pose a risk to infants. Based on the persistent nature of many organic pollutants and reported widespread use, we recommend more comprehensive and longitudinal investigation of upstream pesticide contamination in the food supply and exposures among mothers and children.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

CTRI/2017/01/007636 , Date Registered: 06/01/2017. CTRI website: http://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/pdf_generate.php?trialid=17249&EncHid=&modid=&compid=%27,%2717249det%27.

Collapse

Key Words

• Focus groups
• In-depth interviews
• Organochlorines
• Organophosphates
• Pyrethroids, Pesticides, Breastmilk

Collapse

MESH Headings

• Child, Preschool
• Female
• Humans
• Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated/analysis
• India
• Infant
• Infant, Newborn
• Lactation
• Milk, Human/chemistry
• Pesticide Residues/analysis
• Pesticides/analysis
• Pregnancy

Collapse

Grants

• R21 HD080107 NICHD NIH HHS
• National Institutes of Health (US)
• International Society for Research in Human Milk and Lactation
• Emory Institute for Developing Nations
• Emory University Research Committee

Collapse

Affiliation(s)

Rukshan V. Mehta Doctoral Program in Nutrition and Health Sciences, Laney Graduate School, Emory University, Atlanta, GA USA Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Claudia Nance Rollins Building, 5th Floor, 1518 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30329 USA
M. A. Sreenivasa Council for Scientific and Industrial Research – Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysuru, India
Mathen Mathew Council for Scientific and Industrial Research – Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysuru, India
Amy Webb Girard Doctoral Program in Nutrition and Health Sciences, Laney Graduate School, Emory University, Atlanta, GA USA The Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA USA
Sunita Taneja Society for Applied Studies, Centre for Health Research and Development, New Delhi, India
Samriddhi Ranjan Society for Applied Studies, Centre for Health Research and Development, New Delhi, India
Usha Ramakrishnan Doctoral Program in Nutrition and Health Sciences, Laney Graduate School, Emory University, Atlanta, GA USA The Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA USA
Reynaldo Martorell Doctoral Program in Nutrition and Health Sciences, Laney Graduate School, Emory University, Atlanta, GA USA The Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA USA
P. Barry Ryan Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA USA
Melissa F. Young Doctoral Program in Nutrition and Health Sciences, Laney Graduate School, Emory University, Atlanta, GA USA The Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA USA

Collapse

Lufenuron induces reproductive toxicity and genotoxic effects in pregnant albino rats and their fetuses

Insecticides and other agrochemicals have become indispensable components of the agricultural system to ensure a notable increase in crop yield and food production. As a natural consequence, chemical residues result in significantly increased contamination of both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The present study evaluated the teratogenic, genotoxic, and oxidative stress effects of residual-level lufenuron exposure on pregnant rats during the organogenesis gestational period of both mother and fetus. The tested dams were divided into three groups; control (untreated), low-dose group (orally administered with 0.4 mg/kg lufenuron) and high-dose group (orally administered with 0.8 mg/kg lufenuron). The dams of the two treatment groups showed teratogenic abnormalities represented by the asymmetrical distribution of fetuses in both uterine horns, accompanied by observed resorption sites and intensive bleeding in the uterine horns, whereas their fetuses suffered from growth retardation, morphologic malformations, and skeletal deformations. Histologic examination of the liver and kidney tissues obtained from mothers and fetuses after lufenuron exposure revealed multiple histopathologic changes. DNA fragmentation and cell cycle perturbation were also detected in the liver cells of lufenuron-treated pregnant dams and their fetuses through comet assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Moreover, lufenuron-induced oxidative stress in the liver of mothers and fetuses was confirmed by the increased malondialdehyde levels and decreased levels of enzymatic antioxidants (glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase). Taken together, it can be concluded that lufenuron has a great potential in exerting teratogenic, genotoxic, and oxidative stresses on pregnant rats and their fetuses upon chronic exposure to residual levels during the organogenesis gestational period. The obtained results in the present study imply that women and their fetuses may have the same risk.

Stock status, urban public perception, and health risk assessment of obsolete pesticide in Northern Ethiopia

Pesticides are widely used chemicals in the agricultural sector to control pests, diseases, and other plant pathogens. This study aimed to assess the storage conditions of pesticides, the community perception, and health risk of pesticide exposure. The study was conducted in three different zonal cities in Ethiopia, East Africa, namely Mekelle, Aksum, and Alamata. Community perception was studied in a community living near a pesticide stockpile with a cross-sectional study of 384 randomly selected households. In addition, questionnaires were administered, a field investigation was conducted, and focused group discussions with responsible bodies were held to assess storage condition. Accidental ingestion and inhalation were considered to determine average daily exposure (ADE) and incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR). This study reveals that all obsolete and banned hazardous pesticides were stored in one area. The storage sites were only secured with simple locks and exposed to rain, sunlight, and temperature variation. The majority of the residents perceived that pesticides pose risk to human health (46.6%), to the environment (28.4%), and to animals (25%). The association between residence proximity of respondents to the store and side effect of obsolete pesticides is statistically significant (p = 0.008). Children aged 2 years and below have higher ADE when exposed to the same concentration of contaminant via inhalation. The probability of a person developing cancer was very low with a risk value of 2.54E-08 and 1.65E-07 as a result of exposure to air containing heptachlor and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), respectively.

Dietary exposure and risk assessment of organochlorine pesticide residues in rural communities living within catchment areas of iSimangaliso World Heritage Site, South Africa

Dietary intake of contaminated food is a major route of human exposure to organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). Despite the prevalence of OCP usage in southern Africa for several decades, their impact on socioeconomically vulnerable communities remains largely overlooked. We investigated the accumulation of OCPs in crops commonly cultivated by rural communities surrounding iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa. All samples analysed were found to be contaminated, with total OCP concentrations ranging between 190 and 240 ng g^-1 ww. Elevated levels of OCP residues were detected in all products, with the majority of samples exceeding European Commission's maximum residue limits (MRLs). We combine these results with local OCP fish tissue estimates to assess potential dietary risks. Cumulative risk assessment indicated potential non-cancer risks associated with heptachlor epoxide, while a cancer risk as high as 1 in 10 was found to be associated with aldrin and dieldrin. This far exceeds USEPA guidelines and indicates that OCP residues in crops and fish from the study area pose a high risk to human health. The results of this study call for further attention to be given to the health implications of continued OCP use not only within the study area but also in Southern Africa in general.

Endocrine disrupting pesticides in soil and their health risk through ingestion of vegetables grown in Pakistan

A comprehensive study was conducted to appraise the concentrations of 30 endocrine disrupting pesticides (EDPs) in soil and vegetable samples collected from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The sum of 30 EDPs (Σ₃₀EDPs) ranged from 192 to 2148 μg kg^-1 in the collected soils. The selected EDP concentrations exceeded their respective limits in most of the tested soils and showed great variation from site to site. Similarly, high variations in Σ₃₀EDP concentrations were also observed in vegetables with the highest mean concentration in lettuce (28.9 μg kg^-1), followed by radish (26.6 μg kg^-1), spinach (25.7 μg kg^-1), onion (16.2 μg kg^-1), turnip (15.6 μg kg^-1), and garlic (14.7 μg kg^-1). However, EDP levels in all studied vegetables were within FAO/WHO limits. The mean bioconcentration factor values were observed < 1 for all the studied vegetables. The health risk assessment revealed that the incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) of Σ₃₀EDPs associated with vegetable ingestion was below the acceptable risk level (1 × 10^-6), showing no cancer risk to local inhabitants. However, exposure to endocrine disruptor and probable carcinogen heptachlor epoxide poses a potential non-cancer risk (hazard quotient (HQ > 1)) to children through vegetable consumption. The presence of banned EDPs in soils and vegetables of the study area indicates the stability of these legacy chemicals in the environment from over usage in the past or illegal current application for agricultural purposes. Graphical abstract.

Risk assessment of some organic contaminants: a case study based on food consumption in Tanta and Ismailia cities, Egypt

The impact of some organic pollutants on some residents of Tanta and Ismailia cities of Egypt through their consumption of vegetables, fruits and fish (Nile tilapia and catfish) was examined. Residues of organochlorine (OC_S) and organophosphorus (OP_S) as some polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB_S) were compared with pesticides as well maximum residue limits (MRL_S). Probable health risk to consumers was also assessed. P, P'-DDT, P, P'-DDE, P, P'-DDD, endrin, α-BHC, (lindane), and hexachlorbenzene (HCB) were the most detected organochlorine compounds, but did not exceed MRLs.However, OP_S residues were the most frequently detected contaminants. PCBs congeners 28, 70, 52, and 180 were detected in tilapia fish from Tanta, but congeners 28 and 180 were the only detected congeners in samples collected from Ismailia region. ∑PCB_S values in all matrices did not exceed MRL_S. Hazard index (HI) exhibited unity for all compounds at 50 the decreasing order: catfish > vegetables > fruits > Nile tilapia in Tanta, while in Ismailia the order was Nile tilapia > fruit > vegetables. Results also revealed that risk values for adults were greater than those of children categories.

Dietary exposure to HCH and DDT congeners and their associated cancer risk based on Pakistani food consumption

Dietary exposure to organochlorine pesticides such as hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) congeners was assessed using diet study approach, and for this purpose, different food items were collected in August 2014. The levels of ∑(HCHs + DDTs) in different food groups were ranged from 2.57 to 206 ng g^-1, ww, with contamination order of fish > poultry > milk > vegetables > cereals > flour > fruits. In the present study, the ratios of β-HCH/∑HCH (0.19-0.40) were < 0.5, where the ratios of (DDE + DDD)/∑DDT (0.48-6.70 with mean value of 0.61) were > 0.5 demonstrated the recent and past inputs of HCH and DDT, respectively. The major contributing groups (6.3-70.3%) to total dietary intake of HCHs and DDTs were animal origin (fish, poultry, and milk), while the less contributing food groups (2-4.5%) were vegetarian origin (vegetables, cereals, flour, and fruits). Cancer risk was estimated for HCHs and DDTs ingested via local foodstuffs. On the basis of both average and high end (95th percentile) exposure levels, the HRs for HCHs and DDTs were found greater than one (safety limit), indicating a potential cancer risk for Pakistani people from life-time consumption of contaminated food items selected in this study. The congener-specific cancer risk was found in order of α-HCH > β-HCH > ∑DDT > γ-HCH > p,p'-DDE > p,p'-DDT. Graphical abstract ᅟ.

Human health risk assessment of DDTs and HCHs through dietary exposure in Nanjing, China

In a market based study in Nanjing, a typical southeast city in China, the most common consumed 23 kinds of foods from eleven different categories (vegetable, fruit, fish, pork, livestock meat, chicken, egg, milk, oil, rice and flour) were sampled in November 2015. The concentrations of DDTs and HCHs in foods were analyzed using gas chromatography with mass spectrometer detector. The residual amounts of DDTs and HCHs in foods were 0.95-3.53 ng g^-1 and 0.32-1.96 ng g^-1, respectively. The highest residual of ∑₁₀OCPs was 4.75 ng g^-1 in livestock meat and the lowest was 1.31 ng g^-1 in flour. Estimated daily intakes of both DDTs and HCHs for children were higher than other age groups regardless of the gender. With respect to food categories, the consumption of vegetables generated higher dietary exposure of DDTs and HCHs than other food categories for all age categories, which accounted for 20.21%-29.18% of the total. The daily intakes of γ-HCH and DDTs for all population groups were far below the acceptable amounts suggested by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations/World Health Organization. Health risk assessment indicated that there was no obvious non-cancer risk for local residents, whereas the cancer risk was estimated to be from 10^-6∼10^-4, being higher than the acceptable risk level and lower than the priority risk level. Among residents of different gender and age, females showed higher risk than males in all age groups, and children were the most vulnerable age group to health risk.

Chemical Pesticides and Human Health: The Urgent Need for a New Concept in Agriculture

The industrialization of the agricultural sector has increased the chemical burden on natural ecosystems. Pesticides are agrochemicals used in agricultural lands, public health programs, and urban green areas in order to protect plants and humans from various diseases. However, due to their known ability to cause a large number of negative health and environmental effects, their side effects can be an important environmental health risk factor. The urgent need for a more sustainable and ecological approach has produced many innovative ideas, among them agriculture reforms and food production implementing sustainable practice evolving to food sovereignty. It is more obvious than ever that the society needs the implementation of a new agricultural concept regarding food production, which is safer for man and the environment, and to this end, steps such as the declaration of Nyéléni have been taken.

Chemical Pesticides and Human Health: The Urgent Need for a New Concept in Agriculture

The industrialization of the agricultural sector has increased the chemical burden on natural ecosystems. Pesticides are agrochemicals used in agricultural lands, public health programs, and urban green areas in order to protect plants and humans from various diseases. However, due to their known ability to cause a large number of negative health and environmental effects, their side effects can be an important environmental health risk factor. The urgent need for a more sustainable and ecological approach has produced many innovative ideas, among them agriculture reforms and food production implementing sustainable practice evolving to food sovereignty. It is more obvious than ever that the society needs the implementation of a new agricultural concept regarding food production, which is safer for man and the environment, and to this end, steps such as the declaration of Nyéléni have been taken.