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Liang X, Ishfaq S, Liu Y, Jijakli MH, Zhou X, Yang X, Guo W. Identification and genomic insights into a strain of Bacillus velezensis with phytopathogen-inhibiting and plant growth-promoting properties. Microbiol Res 2024; 285:127745. [PMID: 38733724 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2024.127745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
The use of biological agents offers a sustainable alternative to chemical control in managing plant diseases. In this study, Bacillus velezensis IFST-221 was isolated from the rhizosphere of a healthy maize plant amidst a population showing severe disease symptoms. The investigation demonstrated a broad-spectrum antagonistic activity of IFST-221 against eight species of pathogenic ascomycetes and oomycetes, suggesting its potential utility in combating plant diseases like maize ear rot and cotton Verticillium wilt. Additionally, our study unveiled that IFST-221 has demonstrated significant plant growth-promoting properties, particularly in maize, cotton, tomato, and broccoli seedlings. This growth promotion was linked to its ability to produce indole-3-acetic acid, nitrogen fixation, phosphate and potassium solubilization, and biofilm formation in laboratory conditions. A complete genome sequencing of IFST-221 yielded a genome size of 3.858 M bp and a GC content of 46.71%. The genome analysis identified 3659 protein-coding genes, among which were nine secondary metabolite clusters with known antimicrobial properties. Additionally, three unknown compounds with potentially novel properties were also predicted from the genomic data. Genome mining also identified several key genes associated with plant growth regulation, colonization, and biofilm formation. These findings provide a compelling case for the application of B. velezensis IFST-221 in agricultural practices. The isolate's combined capabilities of plant growth promotion and antagonistic activity against common plant pathogens suggest its promise as an integrated biological agent in disease management and plant productivity enhancement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Liang
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Key Laboratory of Agro-products Quality and Safety Control in Storage and Transport Process, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100193, China; Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, Liege University, Laboratory of Integrated and Urban Plant Pathology, Passage des déportés 2, Gembloux 5030, Belgium
| | - Shumila Ishfaq
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Key Laboratory of Agro-products Quality and Safety Control in Storage and Transport Process, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yang Liu
- School of Food Science and Engineering, Foshan University/National Technical Center (Foshan) for Quality Control of Famous and Special Agricultural Products (CAQS-GAP-KZZX043)/Guangdong Key Laboratory of Food Intelligent Manufacturing, Foshan, Guangdong 528231, China
| | - M Haissam Jijakli
- Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, Liege University, Laboratory of Integrated and Urban Plant Pathology, Passage des déportés 2, Gembloux 5030, Belgium
| | - Xueping Zhou
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xiuling Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Wei Guo
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Key Laboratory of Agro-products Quality and Safety Control in Storage and Transport Process, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100193, China.
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Calderon-Hernandez J, Jarquin-Yañez L, Reyes-Arreguin L, Diaz-Padilla LA, Gonzalez-Compean JL, Gonzalez-Montalvo P, Rivera-Gomez R, Villanueva-Toledo JR, Pech K, Arrieta O, Leal YA. Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia survival and spatial analysis of socio-environmental risks in Mexico. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1236942. [PMID: 37901312 PMCID: PMC10603203 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1236942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) etiology remains largely unknown; incidence patterns by age, sex, and geographical distribution suggest a potential environmental role. Aim To identify ALL clusters from four contrasting urban areas of Mexico and to characterize the sources of environmental carcinogens. Methods Hospital-based ALL cases (n = 443) diagnosed in children <19 years old from the Metropolitan Zones of Merida and San Luis Potosi, the State of Mexico, and Tijuana were analyzed (2015-2020). ALL cases were coded according to the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology. ALL clusters were identified by Kernel Density, and excess risk was estimated. Data of particulate matter ≤2.5 µm (PM2.5) concentrations measured by community-monitoring stations were analyzed. Geocoded datasets of benzene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and PM2.5 sources were analyzed to characterize patterns of exposure in ALL clusters. Results The survival rate for ALL ranged from 61.5% to 78.6%. Seven ALL clusters with excess risk (RR 1.4-2.3, p < 0.05) were identified. The carcinogen sources included artisanal brick kilns, gas stations, cement works, carpentry, paint, and chemical manufacturing establishments. PM2.5 levels ranged from 15 µg/m3 to 37 µg/m3 among study areas. Conclusion ALL clusters were identified at the community level; the excess risk could be explained by small-scale carcinogen sources. The levels of PM2.5 in outdoor air ranged from 3 to 6 times above the World Health Organization (WHO) air quality guidelines. Healthcare providers must raise awareness of the increased risk of ALL in children living near sources of environmental carcinogens; cancer control and prevention strategies must be steered from a multi-sectoral and multi-action perspective to protect children's health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaqueline Calderon-Hernandez
- Facultad de Medicina/CIAAS, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosi, San Luis Potosi, Mexico
- Global Public Health Program, Boston College, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Lizet Jarquin-Yañez
- Consejo Nacional de Humanidades, Ciencias y Tecnologías (CONAHCYT), Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Luis Reyes-Arreguin
- Facultad de Medicina/CIAAS, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosi, San Luis Potosi, Mexico
| | - Luis A Diaz-Padilla
- Servicio de Oncología Pediátrica de la Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad (UMAE), Centro Médico Nacional "Ignacio García Téllez", Instituto Mexicano de Seguro Social (IMSS), Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - Jose Luis Gonzalez-Compean
- Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional Unidad Tamaulipas, Victoria, Tamaulipas, Mexico
| | - Pablo Gonzalez-Montalvo
- Servicio de Oncología Pediátrica, Hospital O'Horán, Servicios de Salud de Yucatán/Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - Rebeca Rivera-Gomez
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
- Comisión de Salud Fronteriza Mexico-Estados, Registro Poblacional de Cáncer de Tijuana BajaREG, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
| | - Jairo R Villanueva-Toledo
- Consejo Nacional de Humanidades, Ciencias y Tecnologías (CONAHCYT) - Fundación IMSS, A.C., Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Kristal Pech
- Departamento de Epidemiología del Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Oscar Arrieta
- Coordinación del Registro Nacional de Cáncer del Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Yelda A Leal
- Coordinación del Registro Nacional de Cáncer del Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Ciudad de México, Mexico
- Registro Poblacional de Cáncer Mérida, Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad (UMAE), Centro Médico Nacional "Ignacio García Téllez", Instituto Mexicano de Seguro Social (IMSS), Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
- Centro Institucional de Capacitación y Registro de Cáncer, Coordinación de Investigación en Salud, Instituto Mexicano de Seguro Social (IMSS), Ciudad de México, Mexico
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Rocha CS, Kochi LY, Brito JCM, Kitamura RSA, Carneiro DM, Dos Reis MV, Gomes MP. Pharmaceutical-contaminated irrigation water: implications for ornamental plant production and phytoremediation using enrofloxacin-accumulating species. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:97253-97266. [PMID: 37587399 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-29317-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Enrofloxacin (Enro) has been widely encountered in natural water sources, and that water is often used for irrigation in crop production systems. Due to its phytotoxicity and accumulation in plant tissues, the presence of Enro in water used for crop irrigation may represent economical and toxicological concerns. Here, we irrigated two ornamental plant species (Zantedeschia rehmannii Engl. and Spathiphyllum wallisii Regel.) with water artificially contaminated with the antimicrobial enrofloxacin (Enro; 0, 5, 10, 100, and 1000 μg L-1) to evaluate its effects on ornamental plant production, as well as its accumulation and distribution among different plant organs (roots, leaves, bulbs, and flower stems), and examined the economic and environmental safety of commercializing plants produced under conditions of pharmaceutical contamination. The presence of Enro in irrigation water was not found to disrupt plant growth (biomass) or flower production. Both species accumulated Enro, with its internal concentrations distributed as the following: roots > leaves > bulbs > flower stems. In addition to plant tolerance, the content of Enro in plant organs indicated that both Z. rehmannii and S. wallisii could be safety produced under Enro-contaminated conditions and would not significantly contribute to contaminant transfer. The high capacity of those plants to accumulate Enro in their tissues, associated with their tolerance to it, indicates them for use in Enro-phytoremediation programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Silva Rocha
- Laboratório de Fisiologia de Plantas Sob Estresse, Departamento de Botânica, Setor de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal Do Paraná, Avenida Coronel Francisco H. Dos Santos, 100, Centro Politécnico Jardim das Américas, C.P. 19031, Curitiba, Paraná, 81531-980, Brazil
| | - Leticia Yoshie Kochi
- Laboratório de Fisiologia de Plantas Sob Estresse, Departamento de Botânica, Setor de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal Do Paraná, Avenida Coronel Francisco H. Dos Santos, 100, Centro Politécnico Jardim das Américas, C.P. 19031, Curitiba, Paraná, 81531-980, Brazil
| | - Júlio Cesar Moreira Brito
- Fundação Ezequiel Dias, Rua Conde Pereira Carneiro, 80, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 30510-010, Brazil
- Laboratório de Micropropagação de Plantas, Departamento de Fitotecnia E Fitossanidade, Setor de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal Do Paraná, Rua Dos Funcionário, 1540, Juvevê, Curitiba, Paraná, 80035-050, Brazil
| | - Rafael Shinji Akiyama Kitamura
- Laboratório de Fisiologia de Plantas Sob Estresse, Departamento de Botânica, Setor de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal Do Paraná, Avenida Coronel Francisco H. Dos Santos, 100, Centro Politécnico Jardim das Américas, C.P. 19031, Curitiba, Paraná, 81531-980, Brazil
| | - Daniella Moreira Carneiro
- Horto Botânico, Departamento de Agricultura, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, Minas Gerais, 37200-900, Brazil
| | - Michele Valquíria Dos Reis
- Horto Botânico, Departamento de Agricultura, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, Minas Gerais, 37200-900, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Pedrosa Gomes
- Laboratório de Fisiologia de Plantas Sob Estresse, Departamento de Botânica, Setor de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal Do Paraná, Avenida Coronel Francisco H. Dos Santos, 100, Centro Politécnico Jardim das Américas, C.P. 19031, Curitiba, Paraná, 81531-980, Brazil.
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Manz KE, Dodson RE, Liu Y, Scheidl L, Burks S, Dunn F, Gairola R, Lee NF, Walker ED, Pennell KD, Braun JM. Effects of Corsi-Rosenthal boxes on indoor air contaminants: non-targeted analysis using high resolution mass spectrometry. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2023; 33:537-547. [PMID: 37414869 PMCID: PMC11185994 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-023-00577-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In response to COVID-19, attention was drawn to indoor air quality and interventions to mitigate airborne COVID-19 transmission. Of developed interventions, Corsi-Rosenthal (CR) boxes, a do-it-yourself indoor air filter, may have potential co-benefits of reducing indoor air contaminant levels. OBJECTIVE We employed non-targeted and suspect screening analysis (NTA and SSA) to detect and identify volatile and semi-volatile organic contaminants (VOCs and SVOCs) that decreased in indoor air following installation of CR boxes. METHODS Using a natural experiment, we sampled indoor air before and during installation of CR boxes in 17 rooms inside an occupied office building. We measured VOCs and SVOCs using gas chromatography (GC) high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) with electron ionization (EI) and liquid chromatography (LC) HRMS in negative and positive electrospray ionization (ESI). We examined area count changes during vs. before operation of the CR boxes using linear mixed models. RESULTS Transformed (log2) area counts of 71 features significantly decreased by 50-100% after CR boxes were installed (False Discovery Rate (FDR) p-value < 0.2). Of the significantly decreased features, four chemicals were identified with Level 1 confidence, 45 were putatively identified with Level 2-4 confidence, and 22 could not be identified (Level 5). Identified and putatively identified features (Level ≥4) that declined included disinfectants (n = 1), fragrance and/or food chemicals (n = 9), nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds (n = 4), organophosphate esters (n = 1), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (n = 8), polychlorinated biphenyls (n = 1), pesticides/herbicides/insecticides (n = 18), per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (n = 2), phthalates (n = 3), and plasticizers (n = 2). IMPACT STATEMENT We used SSA and NTA to demonstrate that do-it-yourself Corsi-Rosenthal boxes are an effective means for improving indoor air quality by reducing a wide range of volatile and semi-volatile organic contaminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine E Manz
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA.
| | | | - Yun Liu
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
| | - Lukas Scheidl
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
| | - Shaunessey Burks
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
| | - Fiona Dunn
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
| | - Richa Gairola
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
| | - Nina Franzen Lee
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
| | - Erica D Walker
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
| | - Kurt D Pennell
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
| | - Joseph M Braun
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA.
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Yin X, Feng L, Gong Y. Mitigating Ecotoxicity Risks of Pesticides on Ornamental Plants Based on Life Cycle Assessment. TOXICS 2023; 11:360. [PMID: 37112587 PMCID: PMC10140926 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11040360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Ornamental plants such as floriculture and nurseries, have become increasingly popular, but their growth relies heavily on the use of many different types of pesticides. The widespread and inefficient use of these pesticides causes environmental pollution and damage to non-target organisms. Despite these impacts, there has been little research conducted on potential agrochemical pollution in the ornamental plant industry. To address this gap, a life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted to evaluate the pesticide-related freshwater ecotoxicity impact of the US ornamental plant industry in comparison to that of major field crops. The study analyzed 195 pesticide active ingredients used in 15 major ornamental plant and four field crops. Results showed that the freshwater ecotoxicity per area (PAF m3 d/ha) of ornamental plants was significantly higher than that of field crops due to the high pesticide intensity (kg/ha) and ecotoxicity of insecticides and fungicides used in floriculture and nurseries. To mitigate environmental stress, minimizing the use of highly toxic pesticides is recommended. A ban on low-dose, high-toxicity pesticides could reduce pesticide-driven ecotoxicity by 34% and 49% for floriculture and nursery plants, respectively. This study is among the first to quantify the pesticide-driven ecotoxicity impacts of horticultural ornamental plants and proposes feasible ways to reduce these impacts, thus making the world more sustainable while still preserving its beauty.
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Hou K, Cheng C, Shi B, Liu W, Du Z, Li B, Wang J, Wang J. New insights into the effects of chlorpyrifos on soil microbes: Carbon and nitrogen cycle related microbes in wheat/maize rotation agricultural field. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 318:120908. [PMID: 36549448 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Chlorpyrifos, a broad-spectrum organophosphorus insecticide, has been widely detected worldwide and is a potential neurotoxin and endocrine disruptor. Besides, chlorpyrifos has been proven that have a negative effect on soil microbes. In the present study, chlorpyrifos formulation (LORSBAN®, 45% emulsifiable concentrate) was applied in an agricultural field at the recommended dose (R dose, 270.0 and 337.5 g a.i. ha-1 for wheat and maize respectively) and double recommended (DR) dose. Chlorpyrifos residue level and effect on soil microbes related to soil carbon and nitrogen cycle function were analyzed. Results showed that the half-lives of chlorpyrifos in wheat and maize field soil were 7.23-8.23 and 1.45-1.77 d, respectively. Application of chlorpyrifos at even DR dose did not result in unacceptable residual chlorpyrifos, where the final residual chlorpyrifos in wheat/maize (leaf, stem, and grain) was meet the requirement of the maximum residual limit (0.5 mg kg-1 for wheat and 0.05 mg kg-1 for maize) in China. Chlorpyrifos enhanced the activity of β-glucosidase by increasing the relative abundance of Sphingosinicella and promoted the carbon cycle in wheat field. The changes of cbbLR and cbbLG gene abundance also confirmed that chlorpyrifos could affect the import and export of soil carbon pool. The effect of chlorpyrifos on soil N cycle was determined by changes in the abundance of the bacterial genus Gemmatimonas, which is associated with denitrification. Further analysis of N-cycle functional genes and urease activity showed that chlorpyrifos inhibited nitrogen fixation in wheat field, but promoted nitrogen fixation in maize field. In general, bacterial abundance, urease, and AOA-amoA gene could be early warning markers of chlorpyrifos contamination. The results demonstrated the negative effects of chlorpyrifos on soil microbes especially on soil C and N cycle in actual agricultural field. It provides new insights about chlorpyrifos environmental pollution and its effect on soil ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaixuan Hou
- College of Resources and Environment, Shandong Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environment in Universities of Shandong, 61 Daizong Road, Taian, 271018, PR China.
| | - Chao Cheng
- College of Resources and Environment, Shandong Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environment in Universities of Shandong, 61 Daizong Road, Taian, 271018, PR China.
| | - Baihui Shi
- College of Resources and Environment, Shandong Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environment in Universities of Shandong, 61 Daizong Road, Taian, 271018, PR China.
| | - Wei Liu
- Experiment Management Centre, Dezhou University, No. 566 University West Road, Dezhou, 253023, PR China.
| | - Zhongkun Du
- College of Resources and Environment, Shandong Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environment in Universities of Shandong, 61 Daizong Road, Taian, 271018, PR China.
| | - Bing Li
- College of Resources and Environment, Shandong Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environment in Universities of Shandong, 61 Daizong Road, Taian, 271018, PR China.
| | - Jun Wang
- College of Resources and Environment, Shandong Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environment in Universities of Shandong, 61 Daizong Road, Taian, 271018, PR China.
| | - Jinhua Wang
- College of Resources and Environment, Shandong Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environment in Universities of Shandong, 61 Daizong Road, Taian, 271018, PR China.
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Analysis of 181 Pesticides with Multi-residue Method by LC–MS/MS and GC–MS/MS in Flowers, Leaves and Tree Trunks and the Results of Catalan Production from 2014 to 2021. FOOD ANAL METHOD 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12161-022-02407-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Shentema MG, Bråtveit M, Kumie A, Deressa W, Moen BE. Respiratory Health among Pesticide Sprayers at Flower Farms in Ethiopia. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19127427. [PMID: 35742676 PMCID: PMC9224342 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19127427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Background: Pesticide use in Ethiopia has become a common practice in which large-scale flower farms are the main consumers. Workers on flower farms might be exposed to pesticides while spraying or while performing other tasks related to pesticide use and management. It is unclear whether working as a flower farm sprayer is associated with respiratory health problems. Objective: The objective of this study was to compare respiratory symptoms and lung function indices between pesticide sprayers and non-spraying workers. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 15 flower farms, involving all-male sprayers as the pesticide-exposed group and all other male workers as a control group. Data were collected using a standard questionnaire for respiratory symptoms developed by the British Medical Research Council and the American Thoracic Society. Lung function tests were performed to determine forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV1), mid 50 expiratory flow, and the ratio of FEV1 to FVC. Chi-squared tests and Poisson regression analyses were used to compare respiratory symptoms between the two working groups. General linear regression models were used to compare lung function test indices between spraying and non-spraying working groups. The significance level was set to 0.05. Results: A total of 285 male workers participated (152 sprayers and 133 non-spraying workers). The mean age of the workers was 25 years for sprayers and 24 years for non-sprayers. The proportions of cough, cough with sputum, breathlessness, and wheezing were similar in the two groups, while chest tightness was significantly high in the non-spraying group. Sprayers had significantly higher FVC and FEV1 than the non-spraying group. Conclusions: Respiratory symptoms were not different between the sprayers and non-spraying workers except that the non-spraying workers had increased chest tightness. FVC and FEV1 were significantly higher among sprayers relative to non-sprayers. The results must be interpreted with caution, as the sprayers used respiratory protective equipment, which probably reduced their exposure to the pesticides. Also, the workers were young, and a healthy worker effect might be present among the sprayers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meaza Gezu Shentema
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa P.O. Box 9086, Ethiopia; (A.K.); (W.D.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Magne Bråtveit
- Research Group for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Global Public and Primary Care, University of Bergen, 5020 Bergen, Norway; (M.B.); (B.E.M.)
| | - Abera Kumie
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa P.O. Box 9086, Ethiopia; (A.K.); (W.D.)
| | - Wakgari Deressa
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa P.O. Box 9086, Ethiopia; (A.K.); (W.D.)
| | - Bente Elisabeth Moen
- Research Group for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Global Public and Primary Care, University of Bergen, 5020 Bergen, Norway; (M.B.); (B.E.M.)
- Centre for International Health, University of Bergen, 5009 Bergen, Norway
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Zhao W, Teng M, Zhang J, Wang K, Zhang J, Xu Y, Wang C. Insights into the mechanisms of organic pollutant toxicity to earthworms: Advances and perspectives. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 303:119120. [PMID: 35283202 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Earthworms play positive ecological roles in soil formation, structure, and fertility, environmental protection, and terrestrial food chains. For this review, we searched the Web of Science database for articles published from 2011 to 2021 using the keywords "toxic" and "earthworm" and retrieved 632 publications. From the perspective of bibliometric analysis, we conducted a co-occurrence network analysis using the keywords "toxic" and "earthworm" to identify the most and least reported topics. "Eisenia fetida," "bioaccumulation," "heavy metals," "oxidative stress," and "pesticides" were the most common terms, and "microbial community," "bacteria," "PFOS," "bioaugmentation," "potentially toxic elements," "celomic fluid," "neurotoxicity," "joint toxicity," "apoptosis," and "nanoparticles" were uncommon terms. Additionally, in this review we highlight the main routes of organic pollutant entry into soil, and discuss the adverse effects on the soil ecosystem. We then systematically review the mechanisms underlying organic pollutant toxicity to earthworms, including oxidative stress, energy and lipid metabolism disturbances, neurological toxicity, intestinal inflammation and injury, gut microbiota dysbiosis, and reproductive toxicity. We conclude by discussing future research perspectives, focusing on environmentally relevant concentrations and conditions, novel data processing approaches, technologies, and detoxification and mitigation methods. This review has implications for soil management in the context of environmental pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wentian Zhao
- Innovation Center of Pesticide Research, Department of Applied Chemistry, College of Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Miaomiao Teng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control of Tropical Plant Disease and Pests, Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
| | - Kai Wang
- College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, No. 120 Dongling Road, Shenyang, People's Republic Of China
| | - Jialu Zhang
- Innovation Center of Pesticide Research, Department of Applied Chemistry, College of Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yong Xu
- Innovation Center of Pesticide Research, Department of Applied Chemistry, College of Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Chengju Wang
- Innovation Center of Pesticide Research, Department of Applied Chemistry, College of Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
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Mixed Contaminants: Occurrence, Interactions, Toxicity, Detection, and Remediation. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27082577. [PMID: 35458775 PMCID: PMC9029723 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27082577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The ever-increasing rate of pollution has attracted considerable interest in research. Several anthropogenic activities have diminished soil, air, and water quality and have led to complex chemical pollutants. This review aims to provide a clear idea about the latest and most prevalent pollutants such as heavy metals, PAHs, pesticides, hydrocarbons, and pharmaceuticals—their occurrence in various complex mixtures and how several environmental factors influence their interaction. The mechanism adopted by these contaminants to form the complex mixtures leading to the rise of a new class of contaminants, and thus resulting in severe threats to human health and the environment, has also been exhibited. Additionally, this review provides an in-depth idea of various in vivo, in vitro, and trending biomarkers used for risk assessment and identifies the occurrence of mixed contaminants even at very minute concentrations. Much importance has been given to remediation technologies to understand our current position in handling these contaminants and how the technologies can be improved. This paper aims to create awareness among readers about the most ubiquitous contaminants and how simple ways can be adopted to tackle the same.
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The Ethically Conscious Flower Consumer: Understanding Fair Trade Cut Flower Purchase Behavior in Germany. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su132112133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Fair trade flowers are an important niche product relevant to ethically conscious consumers. The study proposes a model that investigates key factors affecting the behavior of these cut flower consumers in Germany. The study serves to complement the existing studies dedicated to preferences for flower attributes and products, as well as consumers’ willingness to pay. It builds on an online survey with a representative sample of 772 German cut-flower consumers. Partial least squares structural equation modelling shows that concern for the treatment of workers from countries with poor environmental and labor reputations, the breadth of fair trade cut flower information sources, and familiarity with the fair trade concept and its influence on flower production issues positively impact the relative importance that consumers dedicate to fair trade certification as a cut flower attribute. The same factors also positively impact fair trade cut flower buying behavior. Socio-demographic factors did not show any impact. The study concludes with best practice recommendations for retailers and horticultural marketers on how to address the needs and wants of ethically conscious consumers.
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