Occupational pesticide exposure, cancer and chronic neurological disorders: A systematic review of epidemiological studies in greenspace workers

A novel framework for industrial pesticide effluent assessment: Integrating chemical screening, multi-endpoint responses and literature-based validation

Industrial pesticide effluents pose substantial risks to aquatic ecosystems, yet comprehensive understanding of their toxicological impacts remains limited. This study presents an integrated approach to evaluate the ecological risks of pesticide manufacturing effluents through chemical screening and multi-endpoints biological responses. Using zebrafish embryos as a model organism, we demonstrated that effluent discharge point (EDP) sample induced 100 % mortality, while diluted samples exhibited significant developmental toxicity, cardiovascular injury, immunosuppression, and behavioral alterations. Non-targeted metabolomics analysis revealed the molecular mechanisms underlying these toxic responses. Through chemical screening and targeted quantification, we identified three predominant azole fungicides - propiconazole (2.11 μg/L), hexaconazole (13.3 μg/L), and tebuconazole (18.66 μg/L) - that exhibited synergistic toxicity. Notably, our innovative meta-analysis framework based on literature data validated the toxicological profiles of detected compounds, providing an efficient alternative to conventional bioassays. This study establishes a comprehensive framework for assessing industrial effluent toxicity and demonstrates the value of integrating chemical analysis with biological responses for environmental risk assessment.

AuNCs@ZIF-8 with enhanced AIE effect to develop a lateral flow immunosensor for POC dual-modal detection of acetochlor

Regarding the high incidence of residue and serious toxicity of acetochlor (ATC) pesticide, it is urgent to explore simple and low-cost methods for their sensitive detection in food. In this study, with zeolite-like imidazole frameworks (ZIFs) as the carriers for embedding glutathione-modified luminescent gold nanoclusters (GSH-AuNCs) exhibiting aggregation-induced emission (AIE) effect, a GSH-AuNCs@ZIF-8 probe driven strip-based lateral flow immunosensor (LFIS) was developed for visual qualitative and fluorescent quantitative dual-modal detection of ATC. The encapsulation of GSH-AuNCs into ZIF-8 with restriction effect not only significantly improved the stability and anti-interference ability of AuNCs, but also remarkably enhanced the fluorescence efficiency for signal amplification due to the enhanced AIE effect of GSH-AuNCs, endowing the LFIS platform with unique performance. Under optimal conditions, the LFIS platform could realize the point-of-care visualization and quantitation of ATC within 20 min with a detection limit of 8.3 pg/mL and a broad linear range of 0.01-10.0 ng/mL. High recoveries of 96.44%-106.8 % in the spiked ginger samples confirmed the outstanding accuracy and dependability of the new platform for ATC analysis of real samples. Compared with other immunoassays, the AuNCs@ZIF-8-based dual-modal LFIS exhibited the advantages of simple preparation, simple operation, short analytical time, and low cost, which could be expanded to monitor more pesticides and more trace contaminants in diverse food and agricultural products, and medicinal material matrices.

The Sub-Acute Potential Risk of Oxamyl in Male Albino Rats

The current study aimed to investigate the sub-acute effects of oxamyl on male Albino rats following oral administration of either 0.031 or 0.31 mg/kg/day for 14 consecutive days. The findings demonstrated that oxamyl produced a significant impact on most of the examined blood profile and biomarkers, along with a significant progressive and discernible alterations in the histology of organs. According to the results obtained, the potential mechanisms by which oxamyl causes its toxic effects on rats are identified as the inflammation indices, the inhibition of transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, and antioxidant enzymes, as well as the production of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARs) in organs following oxamyl treatment based on histopathological examinations. Due to the substantial genetic similarities between rats and humans, it is therefore anticipated that oxamyl will have comparable detrimental effects on humans.

Air quality, respiratory health and performance in athletes: a summary of the IOC consensus subgroup narrative review on 'Acute Respiratory Illness in Athletes'

With the WHO stating that nearly 99% of the global population is exposed to air pollution levels that increase the risk of chronic diseases, the question of exercising in polluted environments is relevant to the health of athletes. Major sporting events held under conditions of poor air quality (AQ) have highlighted the lack of answers to concerns raised by organisers and athletes about the associated health risks. This evidence-based narrative review compiles current knowledge and identifies gaps regarding the relationship between AQ and sport. It is a summary of a more comprehensive report prepared for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Medical and Scientific Commission. This article discusses the various sources of air pollutants encountered during exercise, summarises current AQ guidelines and provides insights into AQ conditions during the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games (OPG) as well as in Los Angeles over the past four summers, in preparation for the 2028 OPG. It also summarises the effects of air pollution on the respiratory health and performance of athletes, while proposing mitigation strategies, with a particular emphasis on AQ education.

An occupational health assessment of dinotefuran exposure in greenhouse vegetable workers: Metabolomic profiling and toxicokinetic analysis

This study aimed to explore the metabolite profiles of populations engaged in intensive vegetable cultivation and their exposure to pesticides. As urbanization progresses and eating habits evolve, intensive vegetable farming has rapidly expanded; however, this cultivation method poses potential health risks to farmers, particularly due to long-term exposure to "greenhouse gases" in enclosed environments. The study investigated the demographic characteristics of individuals in vegetable-growing areas, collected relevant biological samples, and assessed exposure levels by analyzing pesticide metabolites in urine. The results indicated that the types and concentrations of pesticide metabolites detected in the urine of the exposed group were significantly higher than those in the control group, with notable increases in neonicotinoid metabolites such as dinotefuran (DIN) and thiacloprid. Furthermore, the impact of these pesticides on mammalian organisms was examined through animal experiments, which revealed dynamic changes in the concentration of DIN in mouse serum and urine, providing valuable data on its biological metabolic characteristics. These findings underscore the importance of ongoing disease prevention, pollution control, and the need for enhanced health monitoring and protective measures for agricultural workers.

Low concentrations of complex mixtures of pesticides and metabolites are toxic to common Carp brain cells (Cyprinus carpio carpio)

Pesticide use increases annually, and Brazil is the world's largest consumer. However, unlike the European Union (EU), there is no established limit value for pesticide mixtures in drinking water, and therefore the concentration of pesticides can reach 3354 times the EU limit. Thus, determining the risk of exposure to pesticide mixtures and their main metabolites is challenging and requires the use of alternative methods. In the present study, the Common Carp Brain (CCB) cell line was used to evaluate the in vitro toxicity of relevant pesticide mixtures (glyphosate, 2,4-D, atrazine, and mancozeb) and their main metabolites after 72 h of exposure. The tested concentrations were based on the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) defined by Brazilian legislation. The results showed that cells exposed to lower concentrations of the pesticide mixtures and the pesticide + metabolite mixtures were affected by a decrease in cell confluence, resazurin metabolism, and wound healing capacity. The IBR index showed that lower concentrations had more severe effects, suggesting the absence of safe concentrations of these pesticide and metabolite mixtures for the CCB cell line within the tested concentration range. These findings raise concerns about the effects of exposure to these substances on animal and human health.

Proportional mortality and years of potential life lost due to liver diseases among agricultural workers, Brazil, 2017 to 2022

This study aimed to describe the profile and calculate the years of potential life lost (YPLL) due to liver diseases in Brazilian agricultural workers from 2017 to 2022. For this, we analyzed microdata available in the Brazilian Mortality Information System considering the underlying cause of death with codes K70-K77 (International Classsification of Disease, 10th revision - ICD-10) as the outcome of interest. Workers' profile was characterized according to sociodemographic variables and Brazilian regions, forming a comparison group with all other Brazilian workers aged from 18-69 years who died in the same period and from the same underlying cause. Calculations of proportional mortality, YPLL rates, and YPLL rate ratios were applied. In the studied period, 15,362 deaths due to liver diseases occurred in Brazilian agricultural workers, with an average age at death of 51.3 years (±10.7), concentrated in K70 - alcoholic liver disease (53.8%). A higher proportional mortality occurred in men (86.2%), Mixed individuals (61.1%), up to age 49 years (40.9%), with ≤ 7 years of education level (52.4%), and residence in the Northeast (56.9%). The sum of YPLL totaled 382,869 years among agricultural workers, with YPLL rate of 4,527 years per 100,000 workers and a YPLL rate ratio 1.45 times higher than the national average. The concentration of deaths due to K70 raises concern due to the potential chronic exposure to alcoholic beverages. These results highlight the early causes of deaths from liver diseases among agricultural workers, especially those in Northeast Brazil and mixed.

The Influence of Environmental Exposure to Xenoestrogens on the Risk of Cancer Development

Xenoestrogens (XEs) are a group of exogenous substances that may interfere with the functioning of the endocrine system. They may mimic the function of estrogens, and their sources are plants, water or dust, plastic, chemical agents, and some drugs. Thus, people are highly exposed to their actions. Together with the development of industry, the number of XEs in our environment increases. They interact directly with estrogen receptors, disrupting the transmission of cellular signals. It is proven that XEs exhibit clinical application in e.g., menopause hormone therapy, but some studies observed that intense exposure to XEs leads to the progression of various cancers. Moreover, these substances exhibit the ability to cross the placental barrier, therefore, prenatal exposure may disturb fetus development. Due to the wide range of effects resulting from the biological activity of these substances, there is a need for this knowledge to be systematized. This review aims to comprehensively assess the environmental sources of XEs and their role in increasing cancer risk, focusing on current evidence of their biological and pathological impacts.

Occupational Risk Factors for Skin Cancer: A Comprehensive Review

Public health and clinical medicine should identify and characterize modifiable risk factors for skin cancer in order to facilitate primary prevention. In existing literature, the impact of occupational exposure on skin cancer, including malignant melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers, has been extensively studied. This review summarizes the available epidemiological evidence on the significance of occupational risk factors and occupations associated with a higher risk in skin cancer. The results of this review suggest that there is sufficient epidemiological evidence to support the relationship between the increased risk of non-melanoma skin cancers and occupational exposure to solar radiation, ultraviolet radiation, ionizing radiation, arsenic and its compounds, and mineral oils. Occupational exposure to pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls appears to provide sufficient epidemiological evidence for melanoma, and a higher risk of melanoma has been reported among workers in petroleum refining and firefighters. This comprehensive analysis will establish a foundation for subsequent investigations and developing targeted interventions of focused preventive measures against skin cancer among the working population.

Considering safe and sustainable by design alternatives-Environmental hazards of an agriculture nano-enabled pesticide to non-target species

Nanopesticides (Npes) offer improved efficacy compared to their conventional forms while reducing the usage/application rates, hence being more sustainable options. However, there is still a knowledge gap on the Npes environmental impacts. To support the safety of nano-enabled pesticides, the present study aimed at assessing the toxicity of the commercial Npe NUCOP-M and the active substance copper oxychloride, using the ecotoxicological soil model Enchytraeus crypticus and LUFA 2.2 soil. Bioassays were performed to assess various endpoints within short-to longer-term exposures: avoidance behaviour (2 d), hatching (13 d), survival, reproduction and organisms' size (based on the standard OECD test (28 d), the OECD extension (56 d), and the Full Life Cycle test - FLCt (46 d)). Based on the standard OECD test and its extension, NUCOP-M had a similar level of toxicity as copper oxychloride without indications of increase in toxicity over time (28 versus 56 d). The shorter-term exposures (2 and 13 d) showed higher toxicity for copper oxychloride. The exposure from cocoon stage (FLCt) seemed to provide an adaptative advantage (reduced toxicity) to NUCOP-M. The differences might be related to a slower release of Cu2+ ions from NUCOP-M, which seems to account for the toxicity at longer-term. Based on the recommended application doses (ca. 1.72 mg NUCOP-M kg-1, i.e. 0.62 mg Cu kg-1 in the topsoil) there is no unacceptable risk of NUCOP-M on the enchytraeid population.

Biomonitoring urinary pesticide metabolites in preschool children by supported liquid extraction and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and their association with oxidative stress

Investigating pesticide exposure and oxidative stress in preschool children is essential for elucidating the determinants of environmental health in early life, with human biomonitoring of urinary pesticide metabolites serving as a critical strategy for achieving this objective. This study demonstrated biomonitoring of 2 phenoxyacetic acid herbicides, 2 organophosphorus pesticide metabolites, and 4 pyrethroid pesticide metabolites in 159 preschool children and evaluated their association with oxidative stress biomarker 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine. An enzymatic deconjugation process was used to release urinary pesticide metabolites, which were then extracted and enriched by supported liquid extraction, and quantified by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with internal standard calibration. Dichloromethane: methyl tert‑butyl ether (1:1, v/v) was optimized as the solvent for supported liquid extraction, and we validated the method for linear range, recovery, matrix effect and method detection limit. Method detection limit of the pesticide metabolites ranged from 0.01 μg/L to 0.04 μg/L, with satisfactory recoveries ranging from 70.5 % to 95.5 %. 2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxyacetic acid was not detected, whereas the other seven pesticide metabolites were detected with frequencies ranging from 10.1 % to 100 %. The concentration of urinary pesticide metabolites did not significantly differ between boys and girls, with the median concentrations being 9.39 μg/L for boys and 4.90 μg/L for girls, respectively. Spearman correlation analysis indicated that significant positive correlations among urinary metabolites. Bayesian kernel machine regression revealed a significant positive association between urinary pesticide metabolites and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine. Para-nitrophenol was the pesticide metabolite that contributed significantly to the elevated level of oxidative stress.

Pesticides impacts on human health and the environment with their mechanisms of action and possible countermeasures

Pesticides are chemical constituents used to prevent or control pests, including insects, rodents, fungi, weeds, and other unwanted organisms. Despite their advantages in crop production and disease management, the use of pesticides poses significant hazards to the environment and public health. Pesticide elements have now perpetually entered our atmosphere and subsequently contaminated water, food, and soil, leading to health threats ranging from acute to chronic toxicities. Pesticides can cause acute toxicity if a high dose is inhaled, ingested, or comes into contact with the skin or eyes, while prolonged or recurrent exposure to pesticides leads to chronic toxicity. Pesticides produce different types of toxicity, for instance, neurotoxicity, mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, teratogenicity, and endocrine disruption. The toxicity of a pesticide formulation may depend on the specific active ingredient and the presence of synergistic or inert compounds that can enhance or modify its toxicity. Safety concerns are the need of the hour to control contemporary pesticide-induced health hazards. The effectiveness and implementation of the current legislature in providing ample protection for human health and the environment are key concerns. This review explored a comprehensive summary of pesticides regarding their updated impacts on human health and advanced safety concerns with legislation. Implementing regulations, proper training, and education can help mitigate the negative impacts of pesticide use and promote safer and more sustainable agricultural practices.

Pesticide exposure in greenspaces: Comparing field measurement of dermal contamination with values predicted by registration models

Since 2014, the Agricultural Operator Exposure Model (AOEM) has been the harmonised European model used for estimating non-dietary operator exposure to pesticide. It is based on studies conducted by the pesticide companies and it features 13 different crops including non-agricultural areas such as amenity grasslands. The objective of this study was to compare the dermal exposure measured during a field study conducted in a non-agricultural area with the corresponding values estimated by the model AOEM. The non-controlled field study was conducted in France in 2011 and included 24 private and public gardeners who apply glyphosate with knapsack sprayers. Dermal exposure was measured using the whole-body method and cotton gloves. Each measured value had an estimated value given by AOEM and we tested their correlation using linear regression. The model overestimated body exposure for all observations and there was no correlation between values. However, it underestimated hand exposure by 42 times and it systematically underestimated the exposure when the operators were wearing gloves, especially during the application. The model failed at being conservative regarding hand exposure and highly overestimated the protection afforded by the gloves. At a time of glyphosate renewed approval in Europe, non-controlled field studies conducted by academics are needed to improve AOEM model, especially in the non-agricultural sector. Indeed, among the 34 studies included in the model, none were conducted on a non-agricultural area and only four assessed the exposure when using a knapsack sprayer. Moreover, knapsack sprayers being the main equipment used worldwide in both agricultural and non-agricultural settings, it is also crucial to integrate new data specific to this equipment in the model. Operator exposure should be estimated with accuracy in the registration process of pesticides to ensure proper safety as well as in epidemiological studies to improve exposure assessment.

The economics of nature's healing touch: A systematic review and conceptual framework of green space, pharmaceutical prescriptions, and healthcare expenditure associations

Green spaces play a crucial role in promoting sustainable and healthy lives. Recent evidence shows that green space also may reduce the need for healthcare, prescription medications, and associated costs. This systematic review provides the first comprehensive assessment of the available literature examining green space exposure and its associations with healthcare prescriptions and expenditures. We applied Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines to search MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science for observational studies published in English through May 6, 2023. A quality assessment of the included studies was conducted using the Office of Health Assessment and Translation (OHAT) tool, and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) assessment was used to evaluate the overall quality of evidence. Our search retrieved 26 studies that met the inclusion criteria and were included in our review. Among these, 20 studies (77 % of the total) showed beneficial associations of green space exposure with healthcare prescriptions or expenditures. However, most studies had risks of bias, and the overall strength of evidence for both outcomes was limited. Based on our findings and related bodies of literature, we present a conceptual framework to explain the possible associations and complex mechanisms underlying green space and healthcare outcomes. The framework differs from existing green space and health models by including upstream factors related to healthcare access (i.e., rurality and socioeconomic status), which may flip the direction of associations. Additional research with lower risks of bias is necessary to validate this framework and better understand the potential for green space to reduce healthcare prescriptions and expenditures.

Associations between dietary pesticide residue mixture exposure and mortality in a population-based prospective cohort of men and women

BACKGROUND

There is a concern that pesticide residues, regularly detected in foods, might pose a health risk to the consumer, but epidemiological evidence is limited. We assessed the associations between dietary exposure to a mixture of pesticide residues and mortality.

METHODS

Food consumption was assessed in 68,844 participants from the Swedish Mammography Cohort and the Cohort of Swedish Men, 45-83 years at baseline (1997). Concentrations of pesticide residues detected in foods on the Swedish market (1996-1998), mainly fruits and vegetables, were obtained via monitoring programs. To assess mixture effects, we summed per food item the ratios of each single pesticide mean residue concentration divided by its acceptable daily intake to create for each participant a Dietary Pesticide Hazard Index (adjusted for energy intake and expressed per kilogram of body weight). Multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95 % confidence intervals (95 %CI).

RESULTS

During 15 years of follow-up (1998-2014), a total of 16,527 deaths occurred, of which 6,238 were caused by cardiovascular disease (CVD) and 5,364 by cancer. Comparing extreme quintiles of Dietary Pesticide Hazard Index, the highest category was inversely associated with CVD mortality HR, 0.82 (95 % CI, 0.75-0.90) and with cancer mortality HR 0.82 (95 % CI 0.75-0.91). In analyses stratified by high/low Dietary Pesticide Hazard Index, similar inverse associations were observed by increasing fruit and vegetable consumption.

CONCLUSIONS

We observed no indications that dietary exposure to pesticide residue mixtures was associated with increased mortality, nor any clear indications that the benefits of fruit and vegetable consumption on mortality was compromised. Yet, our results need to be interpreted with caution.

Fate of pesticides in agricultural runoff treatment systems: Occurrence, impacts and technological progress

The levels of pesticides in air, water, and soil are gradually increasing due to its inappropriate management. In particular, agricultural runoff inflicts the damages on the ecosystem and human health at massive scale. Present study summarizes 70 studies in which investigations on removal or treatment of pesticides/insecticides/herbicides are reported. A bibliometric analysis was also done to understand the recent research trends through the analysis of 2218 publications. The specific objectives of this study are as follows: i) to inventorize the characteristics details of agriculture runoff and analyzing the occurrence and impacts of pesticides, ii) analyzing the role and interaction of pesticides in different environmental segments, iii) investigating the fate of pesticides in agriculture runoff treatment systems, iv) summarizing the experiences and findings of most commonly technology deployed for pesticides remediation in agriculture runoff including target pesticide(s), specifications, configuration of technological intervention. Among the reported technologies for pesticide treatment in agriculture runoff, constructed wetland was at the top followed by algal or photobioreactor. Among various advanced oxidation processes, photo Fenton method is mainly used for pesticides remediation such as triazine, methyl parathion, fenuron and diuron. Algal bioreactors are extensively used for a wide range of pesticides treatment including 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid, alachlor, diuron, chlorpyrifos, endosulfan, and imidacloprid; especially at lower hydraulic retention time of 2-6 h. This study highlights that hybrid approaches can offers potential opportunities for effective removal of pesticides in a more viable manner.

Frequency of urinary pesticides in children: a scoping review

Pesticides are any mix of ingredients and substances used to eliminate or control unwanted vegetable or animal species recognized as plagues. Its use has been discussed in research due to the scarcity of strong scientific evidence about its health effects. International literature is still insufficient to establish a global recommendation through public policy. This study aims to explore international evidence of the presence of pesticides in urine samples from children and their effects on health through a scoping review based on the methodology described by Arksey and O'Malley. The number of articles resulting from the keyword combination was 454, and a total of 93 manuscripts were included in the results and 22 were complementary. Keywords included in the search were: urinary, pesticide, children, and childhood. Children are exposed to pesticide residues through a fruit and vegetable intake environment and household insecticide use. Behavioral effects of neural damage, diabetes, obesity, and pulmonary function are health outcomes for children that are commonly studied. Gas and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry methods are used predominantly for metabolite-pesticide detection in urine samples. Dialkylphosphates (DAP) are common in organophosphate (OP) metabolite studies. First-morning spot samples are recommended to most accurately characterize OP dose in children. International evidence in PubMed supports that organic diets in children are successful interventions that decrease the urinary levels of pesticides. Several urinary pesticide studies were found throughout the world's population. However, there is a knowledge gap that is important to address (public policy), due to farming activities that are predominant in these territories.

Assessing the impact of coexposure on the measurement of biomarkers of exposure to the pyrethroid lambda-cyhalothrin in agricultural workers

There are few published data on the impact of combined exposure to multiple pesticides (coexposure) on levels of biomarkers of exposure in workers, which may alter their toxicokinetics and thus the interpretation of biomonitoring data. This study aimed to assess the impact of coexposure to two pesticides with shared metabolism pathways on levels of biomarkers of exposure to pyrethroid pesticides in agricultural workers. The pyrethroid lambda-cyhalothrin (LCT) and the fungicide captan were used as sentinel pesticides, since they are widely sprayed concomitantly in agricultural crops. Eighty-seven (87) workers assigned to different tasks (application, weeding, picking) were recruited. The recruited workers provided two-consecutive 24-h urine collections following an episode of lambda-cyhalothrin application alone or in combination with captan or following tasks in the treated fields, as well as a control collection. Concentrations of lambda-cyhalothrin metabolites - 3-(2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoroprop-1-en-1-yl)-2,2-dimethyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (CFMP) and 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA) - were measured in the samples. Potential determinants of exposure established in a previous study, including the task performed and personal factors were documented by questionnaire. Multivariate analyses showed that coexposure did not have a statistically significant effect on the observed urinary levels of 3-PBA (Exp(β) (95% confidence interval (95% CI)): 0.94 (0.78-1.13)) and CFMP (1.10 (0.93-1.30). The repeated biological measurements ("time variable") - defined as the within-subjects variable - was a significant predictor of observed biological levels of 3-PBA and CFMP; the within-subjects variance (Exp(β) (95% (95% CI)) for 3-PBA and CFMP was 1.11 (1.09-3.49) and 1.25 (1.20-1.31). Only the main occupational task was associated with urinary levels of 3-PBA and CFMP. Compared to the weeding or picking task, the pesticide application task was associated with higher urinary 3-PBA and CFMP concentrations. In sum, coexposure to agricultural pesticides in the strawberry fields did not increase pyrethroid biomarker concentrations at the exposure levels observed in the studied workers. The study also confirmed previous data suggesting that applicators were more exposed than workers assigned to field tasks such as weeding and picking.

Early-Life Exposure to Commercial Formulation Containing Deltamethrin and Cypermethrin Insecticides Impacts Redox System and Induces Unexpected Regional Effects in Rat Offspring Brain

Several studies have shown that the oxidative impact of pesticides is most prevalent in rural environments where they are intensively used. At different levels, pyrethroids are reported to promote neurodegeneration; they share the ability to promote oxidative stress, and to induce mitochondrial impairments, α-synuclein overexpression and neuronal cell loss. The present study evaluates the impact of early-life exposure to a commercial formulation containing deltamethrin (DM) and cypermethrin (CYP) at a dose of 1/100 LD50 (1.28 and 2.5 mg/kg, respectively). Rats aged 30 days old, treated from the 6th to the 21st day of life, were tested for brain antioxidant activity and α-synuclein levels. Four regions of the brain were analyzed: the striatum, cerebellum, cortex and hippocampus. Our data demonstrated a significant increase in catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) antioxidant levels in the brain regions compared to the controls. Pups exhibited no significant changes in protein carbonyl levels and lipid peroxidation. Striatal α-synuclein expression was significantly reduced in the rats exposed to DM + CYP, while the treatment resulted in a non-significant increase in the other brain areas. These findings indicate unexpected effects of postnatal treatment with the commercial formulation containing DM and CYP on brain redox state and α-synuclein expression, suggesting an adaptive response.

Dithianon exposure induces dopaminergic neurotoxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans

Dithianon is a conventional broad-spectrum protectant fungicide widely used in agriculture, but its potential neurotoxic risk to animals remains largely unknown. In this study, neurotoxic effects of Dithianon and its underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms were investigated using the nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans, as a model system. Upon chronic exposure of C. elegans to Dithianon, dopaminergic neurons were found to be vulnerable, with significant degeneration in terms of structure and function in a concentration-dependent manner. In examining toxicity mechanisms, we observed significant Dithianon-induced increases in oxidative stress and mitochondrial fragmentation, both of which are often associated with cellular stress. The present study suggests that Dithianon exposure causes dopaminergic neurotoxicity in C. elegans, by inducing oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. These findings contribute to a better understanding of Dithianon's neurotoxic potential.

Current electroanalytical approaches in the carbamates and dithiocarbamates determination

Pesticides are a suitable tool for controlling plagues and disease vectors. However, their inappropriate use allows for contamination of the environment, soil, water, and foods. Carbamates and dithiocarbamates pesticides present accumulative effects in the human body resulting in hormonal, neurological and reproductive disorders, and some are still suspected or proven to give carcinogenic or mutagenic effects. This review provides a current electroanalytical approach in the carbamates and dithiocarbamates determination, showing the use of voltammetric techniques such as amperometry, cyclic and linear scan, differential pulse, and square wave voltammetry, indicating their advantages, disadvantages, and perspectives in electroanalytical detection of carbamates and dithiocarbamates in natural water and foods. Also are reported the different materials used in the preparation of working electrodes since their choice has an important impact on the success of the analytical applications, resulting in suitable sensitivity, selectivity, stability, and robustness.

Exposures to pesticides and risk of cancer: Evaluation of recent epidemiological evidence in humans and paths forward

Knowledge of the role in cancer etiology of environmental exposures as pesticides is a prerequisite for primary prevention. We review 63 epidemiological studies on exposure to pesticides and cancer risk in humans published from 2017 to 2021, with emphasis on new findings, methodological approaches, and gaps in the existing literature. While much of the recent evidence suggests causal relationships between pesticide exposure and cancer, the strongest evidence exists for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and colorectal cancer (CRC), diseases in which the observed associations were consistent across several studies, including high-quality prospective studies and those using biomarkers for exposure assessment, with some observing dose-response relationships. Though high-quality studies have been published since the IARC monograph on organophosphate insecticides in 2017, there are still gaps in the literature on carcinogenic evidence in humans for a large number of pesticides. To further knowledge, we suggest leveraging new techniques and methods to increase sensitivity and precision of exposure assessment, incorporate multi-omics data, and investigate more thoroughly exposure to chemical mixtures. There is also a strong need for better and larger population-based cohort studies that include younger and nonoccupationally exposed individuals, particularly during developmental periods of susceptibility. Though the existing evidence has limitations, as always in science, there is sufficient evidence to implement policies and regulatory action that limit pesticide exposure in humans and, hence, further prevent a significant burden of cancers.

Determinants of Consumers' Behavior in Reducing Pesticide Residues in Vegetables and Fruits, Northern Thailand

Pesticide residues in vegetables in northern Thailand exceed the maximum residue limits established by the European Union. Therefore, improved knowledge and behavior in reducing pesticide residues in vegetables and fruits (VF) would reduce the risk of exposure to pesticides. This study aims to investigate the contributing factors of consumers' behavior in reducing pesticide residues in VF. The differences in knowledge, attitude, and behavior in reducing pesticide residues in VF between consumers living in rural and urban communities of Chiang Mai, Thailand were also investigated. The cross-sectional study was carried out during August and October 2021 with 456 participants. Data was collected from participants using a Google form questionnaire. The results indicated that pesticide-free was the top-ranked consideration for VF purchasing. Linear regression analysis found that factors associated with consumers' behavior in reducing pesticide residues in VF were total knowledge scores (Beta (β) ± standard error (SE.) = 1.15 ± 0.18, 95%CI = 0.79, 1.51), total attitude scores (β ± SE. = 1.30 ± 0.49, 95%CI = 3.87, 10.40), having co-morbidity (β ± SE. = 3.2 ± 1.37, 95%CI = 0.52, 5.90), type of VF purchasing (β ± SE. = 1.98 ± 0.57, 95%CI = 0.85, 3.11), frequency of VF purchasing (β ± SE. = 3.81 ± 1.18, 95%CI = 1.49, 6.13), price of VF products (β ± SE. = -2.23 ± 1.13, 95%CI = -4.45, -0.02), and getting information from the broadcasting tower in the village (β ± SE. = 7.13 ± 1.66, 95%CI = 0.32, 2.27).

Health of greenspace workers: Morbidity and mortality data from the AGRICAN cohort

INTRODUCTION

Knowledge on the health of greenspace workers is scarce, even though they are exposed to many occupational hazards. The aim of this study was to analyze mortality by cause, prevalence of some non-cancer diseases, and incidence of the main cancers among greenspace workers.

METHODS

A sub-cohort of greenspace workers was formed within the AGRICAN cohort. Demographic information, health characteristics and self-reported diseases at enrollment were described separately in terms of frequencies (%), median and Interquartile Range (IQR) for greenspace workers, farmers, and other non-agricultural workers. Causes of death and cancer incidence were identified through linkage with cancer registries from enrollment (2005-2007) to 2015. Hazard ratio (HR) and 95% Confidence Intervals [95% CI] were estimated using Cox proportional hazard regression with age as the underlying timescale.

RESULTS

The sub-cohort included 6247 greenspace workers who were higher proportion men, younger and more frequently smokers than farmers and non-agricultural workers. Male and female greenspace workers reported more history of allergic diseases; and males, more history of depression. Compared to other workers male greenspace workers showed a non-significant higher mortality from ischemic cardiological diseases (HR = 1.14 [0.81-1.60]). Incidence was higher in male greenspace workers than farmers for overall cancer (HR = 1.15 [1.04-1.27]), cancer of the prostate (HR = 1.21 [1.02-1.44]), thyroid (HR = 2.84 [1.26-6.41]), testis (HR = 3.98 [1.50-10.58]) and skin melanoma (HR = 2.15 [1.33-3.47]). Non-significant increased risks were also found for sarcomas, larynx and breast. In women, risk of breast cancer was higher in greenspace workers than in farmers (HR = 1.71 [1.17-2.50]).

CONCLUSIONS

Whereas greenspace workers have often been included with other pesticide applicators in epidemiological studies, our analyses highlighted the differences between these two populations. They demonstrate the need to study them separately and to investigate more thoroughly the role of specific occupational exposures such as pesticides as well as the effect on women.

Chronic Pesticide Exposure in Farm Workers Is Associated with the Epigenetic Modulation of hsa-miR-199a-5p

The increasing use of pesticides in intensive agriculture has had a negative impact on human health. It was widely demonstrated how pesticides can induce different genetic and epigenetic alterations associated with the development of different diseases, including tumors and neurological disorders. Therefore, the identification of effective indicators for the prediction of harmful pesticide exposure is mandatory. In this context, the aim of the study was to evaluate the modification of hsa-miR-199a-5p expression levels in liquid biopsy samples obtained from healthy donors and farm workers with chronic exposure to pesticides. For this purpose, the high-sensitive droplet digital PCR assay (ddPCR) was used to detect variation in the expression levels of the selected microRNA (miRNA). The ddPCR analyses revealed a significant down-regulation of hsa-miR-199a-5p observed in individuals exposed to pesticides compared to control samples highlighting the good predictive value of this miRNA as demonstrated by statistical analyses. Overall, the obtained results encourage the analysis of miRNAs as predictive biomarkers of chronic pesticide exposure thus improving the current strategies for the monitoring of harmful pesticide exposure.

Proximity to endocrine-disrupting pesticides and risk of testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT) among adolescents: A population-based case-control study in California

BACKGROUND

The incidence of testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT) is increasing steadily in the United States, particularly among Latinos. TGCT is thought to be initiated in utero and exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals, suspected contributors to TGCT pathogenesis, during this critical developmental period may contribute to the rise.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the relationship between fetal exposure to agricultural endocrine-disrupting pesticides (EDPs) and TGCT risk among adolescents in a diverse population in California.

METHODS

We conducted a registry-based case-control study of TGCT. Cases, diagnosed between 1997 and 2011, were 15-19 years of age (n = 381). Controls were matched on birth year and race/ethnicity (n = 762). Quantities (kilograms) of 33 pesticides applied within 3 km and 1 km radii of each individual's address before birth were estimated using the Pesticide Use Reporting database. Odds ratios (OR), 95% confidence intervals (CI), and population attributable risk (PAR) were calculated for each EDP (using log-2 transformed values). Risk models considered race/ethnicity, birth year, and neighborhood socioeconomic status.

RESULTS

A doubling of nearby acephate applications (3 km and 1 km radii) and malathion applications (1 km radius) was associated with increased risks of TGCT among Latinos only (OR = 1.09; 95% CI:1.01-1.17; 1.30; 95% CI:1.08-1.57, and 1.19; 95% CI:1.01-1.39, respectively), whereas application of carbaryl within a 3 km radius increased TGCT risk in non-Latinos only (OR = 1.14, 95% CI:1.01-1.28). We estimate that acephate was associated with approximately 10% of the TGCT PAR, malathion with 3% and carbaryl with 1%.

CONCLUSIONS

TGCT among adolescents in California was associated with prenatal residential proximity to acephate and malathion among Latinos, and with carbaryl among non-Latinos. These results suggest that the rise in TGCT risk among Latinos may be associated with exposure to these pesticides.