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Saunders JE, Bessen S, Magro I, Cowan D, Gonzalez Quiroz M, Mojica-Alvarez K, Penalba D, Reike C, Neimczak C, Fellows A, Buckey J. School Hearing Screening With a Portable, Tablet-Based, Noise-Attenuating Audiometric Headset in Rural Nicaragua. Otol Neurotol 2022; 43:1196-1204. [PMID: 36351228 DOI: 10.1097/mao.0000000000003692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the utility and effectiveness of a noise-attenuating, tablet-based mobile health system combined with asynchronous telehealth evaluations for screening rural Nicaraguan schoolchildren for hearing loss. STUDY DESIGN Prospective population-based survey. SETTING Rural Nicaraguan communities. PATIENTS There were 3,398 school children 7 to 9 years of age. INTERVENTIONS Diagnostic automated and manual audiometry, detailed asynchronous telehealth evaluations. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Referral rates, ambient noise levels, and audiometric results as well as hearing loss prevalence, types, and risk factors. RESULTS Despite high ambient noise levels during screening (46.7 dBA), no effect of noise on referral rates on automated audiometry or confirmatory manual audiometry in those who failed automated testing was seen. The overall audiometric referral rate was 2.6%. Idiopathic sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and cerumen impaction were the most common types of hearing loss in this population with an estimated prevalence of hearing loss (all types) of 18.3 per 1,000 children. SNHL was associated with both drug exposure during pregnancy (p = 0.04) and pesticide exposure in the home (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION Hearing screening using a tablet-based, noise-attenuating wireless headset audiometer is feasible and effective in rural low-resource environments with moderately elevated ambient noise levels. The referral rate with noise-attenuating headsets was much lower than that previous reports on this population. In addition, manual audiometry resulted in much lower referral rates than automated audiometry. The confirmed hearing loss rate in this study is comparable to reports from other low-income countries that use some form of noise attenuation during screening. Pesticide exposure and drug exposure during pregnancy are potential causes of SNHL in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- James E Saunders
- Department of Surgery, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
| | - Sarah Bessen
- Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Isabelle Magro
- Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Devin Cowan
- Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | | | | | - Donoso Penalba
- Research Centre on Health, Work and Environment (CISTA) at National Autonomous University of Nicaragua, Leon (UNAN-Leon), Leon, Nicaragua
| | - Catherine Reike
- Space Medicine Innovations Laboratory, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
| | - Chris Neimczak
- Department of Medicine Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Space Medicine Innovations Laboratory, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Abigail Fellows
- Space Medicine Innovations Laboratory, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
| | - Jay Buckey
- Department of Medicine Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Space Medicine Innovations Laboratory, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
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Long L, Tang Y. Urinary pyrethroid metabolite and hearing threshold shifts of adults in the United States: A cross-sectional study. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0275775. [PMID: 36251636 PMCID: PMC9576071 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0275775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hearing loss (HL) is a global health problem with a high prevalence and profound socioeconomic impact. Pyrethroids are one of the most commonly used insecticides. Although previous studies have reported the relationship between pyrethroids and neurotoxicity, little is known about the effect of pyrethroid exposure on the auditory system among the general population. This study is aimed to investigate the association of pyrethroid exposure with hearing threshold shifts of adults in the United States. A total of 726 adults, aged from 20 to 69 years from the 2011-2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data were included in the study. Urinary 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA), a general pyrethroid metabolite, was used as a biomarker for pyrethroid exposure. HL was defined as a pure-tone average (PTA) at 0.5, 1, 2, 4 kHz ≥ 20 dB in the better ear. Analyses by using multivariate linear regressions were conducted to explore the associations of urinary 3-PBA with PTA hearing threshold shifts. There were no statistically significant correlations between Ln-transformed 3-PBA and either low-frequency or high-frequency hearing thresholds after adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, education level, firearm noise exposure, occupational noise exposure, recreational noise exposure, serum cotinine, BMI, hypertension, and diabetes. However, associations of 3-PBA with both low-frequency and high-frequency hearing thresholds depended on age (P interaction < 0.0396 and 0.0017, respectively). Positive associations between Ln-transformed 3-PBA and both low-frequency and high-frequency hearing thresholds were observed in participants aged 20-39 years after adjusting confounders (β = 1.53, 95% CI: 0.04-3.01, and β = 3.14, 95% CI: 0.99-5.29, respectively) with the highest tertile (≥ 0.884 μg/g creatinine) of 3-PBA compared with the lowest tertile (< 0.407 μg/g creatinine). The possibility of interaction between 3-PBA and age on the hearing threshold shifts indicated that pyrethroid insecticides were prone to be more toxic to auditory system in younger adults than in older ones. Further studies will be required to confirm these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Long
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Sichuan University Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yuedi Tang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- * E-mail:
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de Souza Alcarás PA, Zeigelboim BS, Corazza MCA, Lüders D, Marques JM, de Lacerda ABM. Findings on the Central Auditory Functions of Endemic Disease Control Agents. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18137051. [PMID: 34280998 PMCID: PMC8297216 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18137051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to assess the central auditory functions of endemic disease control agents. This cross-sectional cohort study comprised two groups: the exposed group, with 38 male endemic disease control agents with simultaneous occupational noise and pesticide exposure; and the control group, with 18 age- and sex-matched workers without occupational noise and/or pesticide exposure. All participants underwent pure-tone audiometry, brainstem auditory evoked potentials, dichotic digits test, and transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions suppression effect. There was a significant inter-group difference in waves III and V absolute latencies, and interpeak I-III and I-V latencies bilaterally, with worse results found in the exposed group. Abnormal dichotic digits test results occurred more often in the exposed group, with a significant association between pesticide- and noise-exposure and the abnormal results (p = 0.0099). The transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions with suppression effect did not yield significant inter-group differences. It was concluded that pesticide and noise exposure induce harmful effects on the central auditory functions, particularly on the brainstem and figure-ground speech-sound auditory skills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia Arruda de Souza Alcarás
- Audiology Department, Speech Therapy School, University of Western São Paulo, UNOESTE, Presidente Prudente 19050-920, SP, Brazil; (P.A.d.S.A.); (M.C.A.C.)
| | - Bianca Simone Zeigelboim
- Post-Graduate Program in Communication Disorders, Tuiuti University of Paraná, UTP, Curitiba 82010-330, PR, Brazil; (B.S.Z.); (D.L.); (J.M.M.)
| | - Maria Cristina Alves Corazza
- Audiology Department, Speech Therapy School, University of Western São Paulo, UNOESTE, Presidente Prudente 19050-920, SP, Brazil; (P.A.d.S.A.); (M.C.A.C.)
| | - Débora Lüders
- Post-Graduate Program in Communication Disorders, Tuiuti University of Paraná, UTP, Curitiba 82010-330, PR, Brazil; (B.S.Z.); (D.L.); (J.M.M.)
| | - Jair Mendes Marques
- Post-Graduate Program in Communication Disorders, Tuiuti University of Paraná, UTP, Curitiba 82010-330, PR, Brazil; (B.S.Z.); (D.L.); (J.M.M.)
| | - Adriana Bender Moreira de Lacerda
- Audiology Department, Speech Language and Audiology School, Medicine Faculty, Université de Montréal, UdeM, Montreal H3C 3J7, QC, Canada
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-514-343-6111 (ext. 38880)
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Alcarás PADS, Zeigelboim BS, Corazza MCA, Lüders D, Marques JM, Lacerda ABMD. Vestibular Function Evaluation in Endemic Diseases Combat Agents. Health (London) 2021. [DOI: 10.4236/health.2021.132013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Xu H, Mao Y, Xu B. Association between pyrethroid pesticide exposure and hearing loss in adolescents. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 187:109640. [PMID: 32460092 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 05/03/2020] [Accepted: 05/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hearing loss in adolescents is a serious public health problem with a high prevalence. Pyrethroids are one of the most widely applied insecticides that have been linked to neurotoxicity. However, there is no study about the effect of pyrethroid insecticide exposure on the auditory system in the general population. OBJECTIVE To investigate the association between pyrethroid pesticide exposure and hearing loss in adolescents in the United States. METHODS A total of 720 adolescents aged 12-19 years who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 2007-2010) were considered. 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA), a urinary metabolite, was applied as a biomarker to assess pyrethroid exposure. Hearing loss in adolescents was defined as a pure-tone average (PTA) > 15 dB in either ear. Multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the associations of urinary 3-PBA with PTA hearing thresholds and risk of hearing loss, respectively. RESULTS The weighted geometric mean of 3-PBA levels in urine was 0.32 μg/g creatinine, and 7.62% of adolescents had hearing loss. After adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, BMI, serum cotinine, annual family income and exposure to loud noise/music, linear regression analyses found that Ln-transformed 3-PBA was positively correlated with increase of hearing thresholds in either left (β = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.20-1.01) or right ear (β = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.16-0.89). Logistic regression analyses showed that adjusted odds ratio (OR) for hearing loss in adolescents with the highest tertile (≥0.52 μg/g creatinine) of 3-PBA were 3.12 (95% CI: 1.42-6.83) compared with the lowest tertile (<0.18 μg/g creatinine), with significant linear trends across tertiles. CONCLUSION Pyrethroid pesticide exposure was positively associated with hearing loss in U.S. adolescents. This study provides new evidence for the association between pyrethroid exposure and auditory function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huadong Xu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 466-8550, Japan.
| | - Yu Mao
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 466-8550, Japan
| | - Bucai Xu
- Department of Traditional Medicine, The People's Hospital of Cangnan, Wenzhou Medical University, No.2288 Yucang Road, Cangnan County, Zhejiang, 325800, China.
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Sena TRRD, Dourado SSF, Antoniolli ÂR. [High frequency hearing among rural workers exposed to pesticides]. CIENCIA & SAUDE COLETIVA 2020; 24:3923-3932. [PMID: 31577022 DOI: 10.1590/1413-812320182410.18172017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2016] [Accepted: 04/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Pesticides may cause a number of health problems and are considered oto-agressive agents. The objective of this study was to investigate the high frequency hearing characteristics of workers both with and without exposure to pesticides, that presented normal conventional audiometry. It involved a cross-sectional study with 87 workers, of both genders, between 19 and 59 years, with formal or informal jobs and some of whom worked with family agriculture, either using pesticides or not, who had taken High-Frequency Audiometry tests. The use of glyphosate was reported by 73% of workers and several pesticide mixtures occurred in 78% of them. There were no cases of proper use of personal protective equipment recommended for the activity. The workers exposed to pesticides had worse results in High-Frequency Audiometry tests in comparison with those who had no contact with pesticides (p < 0.0001). High-Frequency Audiometry has proved to be a useful and effective tool in the early detection of hearing loss caused by pesticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tereza Raquel Ribeiro de Sena
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Sergipe (UFS). R. Cláudio Batista s/n, Cidade Nova. 49060-108 Aracaju, SE, Brasil.
| | | | - Ângelo Roberto Antoniolli
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Sergipe (UFS). R. Cláudio Batista s/n, Cidade Nova. 49060-108 Aracaju, SE, Brasil.
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França DMVR, Lobato DCB, Moronte EA, Albuquerque GSCD, Alcarás PA, Gonçalves CGDO, Lacerda ABMD. Study on hearing loss and its relationship with work in pesticide-exposed tobacco growers. REVISTA CEFAC 2020. [DOI: 10.1590/1982-0216/202022311519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT The Purpose of this case report is to present four cases of tobacco growers with hearing loss due to occupational exposure to pesticides. A qualitative case study comprising three cases of sensorineural hearing loss with causal nexus (Cases 1, 2 and 4), and one (Case 3) of sensorineural hearing loss compatible with ototoxicity by pesticides, with causal nexus mainly based on minor neuropsychiatric disorders. The sample was composed of rural workers with health problems, in working age, having started working early in life, exposed to various pesticides, including organophosphates. The auditory and neurovegetative symptoms reported were noise discomfort (n = 2), speech perception difficulty (n = 3), dizziness (n = 2), and imbalance (n = 2). The pure-tone audiometry revealed a sensorineural hearing loss in one or more high frequencies, and one of the cases presented alteration in the brainstem auditory evoked potentials. There is evidence, in this study, of an association between hearing loss and work in tobacco growers exposed to pesticides, with peripheral auditory damage in four cases, and central damage in one of them. Thus, the need for a complete audiological evaluation of pesticide-exposed populations is highlighted.
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Cunha EO, Reis AD, Macedo MB, Machado MS, Dallegrave E. Ototoxicity of cypermethrin in Wistar rats. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol 2019; 86:587-592. [PMID: 31122882 PMCID: PMC9422497 DOI: 10.1016/j.bjorl.2019.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2018] [Revised: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction This study presents the effect of cypermethrin on the cochlear function in Wistar rats post-subchronic inhalation exposure. Worldwide several pesticides are described as causing health disorders. Cypermethrin is currently one of the most commonly used, however, little is known about its harmful effects, especially related to hearing. Human studies have associated pesticides with hearing disorders, but they present limited conclusions due to the multiple factors to which the population is exposed, such as noise. Objective Mimic human exposure to cypermethrin and to verify the effects on cochlear function. Methods It is a subchronic inhalation animal study (6 weeks, 4 hours/day), using 36 male Wistar aged 60 day. Rats were randomly assigned into three groups: Control (12 rats exposed to inhalation of water); Positive Control for auditory lesion (12 rats administrated with 24 mg/kg intraperitoneal cisplatin); Experimental (12 rats exposed to inhalation of cypermethrin – 0.25 mg/L). Animals were evaluated by distortion product otoacoustic emissions pre- and post-exposure. Results The frequencies of 8, 10 and 12 kHz in both ears (right p = 0.003; 0.004; 0.008 and left 0.003; 0.016; 0.005 respectively) and at frequencies 4 and 6 in the right ear (p = 0.007 and 0.015, respectively) in the animals exposed to cypermethrin resulted in reduction. Conclusion Subchronic inhalation exposure to cypermethrin provided ototoxicity in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduarda Oliveira Cunha
- Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Programa de Pós-graduação em Patologia, Porto Alegre , RS , Brazil
| | - Aléxia Dos Reis
- Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Programa de Pós-graduação em Patologia, Porto Alegre , RS , Brazil
| | - Mateus Belmonte Macedo
- Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Programa de Pós-graduação em Patologia, Porto Alegre , RS , Brazil
| | - Márcia Salgado Machado
- Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Departamento de Fonoaudiologia, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Eliane Dallegrave
- Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Departamento de Farmacologia, Programa de Pós-graduação em Patologia, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
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Fábelová L, Loffredo CA, Klánová J, Hilscherová K, Horvat M, Tihányi J, Richterová D, Palkovičová Murínová Ľ, Wimmerová S, Sisto R, Moleti A, Trnovec T. Environmental ototoxicants, a potential new class of chemical stressors. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 171:378-394. [PMID: 30716515 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.01.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2018] [Revised: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Hearing loss is an injury that can develop over time, and people may not even be aware of it until it becomes a severe disability. Ototoxicants are substances that may damage the inner ear by either affecting the structures in the ear itself or by affecting the nervous system. We have examined the possibility that ototoxicants may present a health hazard in association with environmental exposures, adding to existing knowledge of their proven hazards under medical therapeutic conditions or occupational activities. In addition to the already described human environmental ototoxicants, mainly organochlorines such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), dibenzofurans (PCDFs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB), we have examined the ubiquitous chemical stressors phthalates, bisphenol A/S/F/, PFCs, flame retardants (FRs) and cadmium for potential ototoxic properties, both as single substances or as chemical mixtures. Our literature review confirmed that these chemicals may disturb thyroid hormones homeostasis, activate aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), and induce oxidative stress, which in turn may initiate a chain of events resulting in impairment of cochlea and hearing loss. With regard to auditory plasticity, diagnostics of a mixture of effects of ototoxicants, potential interactions of chemical and physical agents with effects on hearing, parallel deterioration of hearing due to chemical exposures and ageing, metabolic diseases or obesity, even using specific methods as brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) or otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) registration, may be difficult, and establishment of concentration-response relationships problematic. This paper suggests the establishment of a class of environmental oxotoxicants next to the established classes of occupational and drug ototoxicants. This will help to properly manage risks associated with human exposure to chemical stressors with ototoxic properties and adequate regulatory measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Fábelová
- Slovak Medical University, Faculty of Public Health, Department of Environmental Medicine, Limbova 12, 83303 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Christopher A Loffredo
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. 20057, USA
| | - Jana Klánová
- Masaryk University, Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment, RECETOX, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Klára Hilscherová
- Masaryk University, Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment, RECETOX, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Milena Horvat
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Juraj Tihányi
- Slovak Medical University, Faculty of Public Health, Department of Environmental Medicine, Limbova 12, 83303 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Denisa Richterová
- Slovak Medical University, Faculty of Public Health, Department of Environmental Medicine, Limbova 12, 83303 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Ľubica Palkovičová Murínová
- Slovak Medical University, Faculty of Public Health, Department of Environmental Medicine, Limbova 12, 83303 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Soňa Wimmerová
- Slovak Medical University, Faculty of Public Health, Department of Environmental Medicine, Limbova 12, 83303 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Renata Sisto
- INAIL, Research Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Monte Porzio Catone, Italy
| | - Arturo Moleti
- University of Roma, Tor Vergata, Department of Physics, Roma, Italy
| | - Tomáš Trnovec
- Slovak Medical University, Faculty of Public Health, Department of Environmental Medicine, Limbova 12, 83303 Bratislava, Slovakia.
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Cazé AMDB, Lacerda ABMD, Lüders D, Conto JD, Marques J, Leroux T. Perception of the Quality of Life of Tobacco Growers Exposed to Pesticides: Emphasis on Health, Hearing, and Working Conditions. Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2018; 23:50-59. [PMID: 30647784 PMCID: PMC6331297 DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1639606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Tobacco farming exposes workers to various health risks due to the high application of pesticides needed to control pests, weeds and fungal diseases that prevent the tobacco plant growth. Objective To analyze the perception of the quality of life of tobacco growers exposed to pesticides, with emphasis on general health, hearing, and working conditions. Method This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study using a quantitative approach with farmers from southern Brazil. Data were collected from November of 2012 to November of 2014. For data collection, we opted for the 36-item short form health survey (SF-36) questionnaire, and a questionnaire with closed questions about health, hearing and working conditions. We evaluated a total of 78 subjects; the study group, made up of 40 tobacco farmers exposed to pesticides, and a control group of 38 participants without occupational exposure to pesticides. Both groups are residents of the same municipality, and users of the federal public health system. Results The results showed that tobacco growers had lower quality of life scores compared with the control group. Significant differences were observed in the areas of pain and general health. There were correlations between physical elements and chronic diseases; hearing complaints and a lack of personal protective equipment use, occupation and hearing complaints, as well as general health and hearing complaints. Conclusion Tobacco farming is a risky activity for general and hearing health, and it can impact the quality of life of those working in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Maria de Barros Cazé
- Department of Communication Disorders, Universidade Tuiuti do Paraná (UTP), Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Adriana Bender Moreira de Lacerda
- Department of Communication Disorders, Universidade Tuiuti do Paraná (UTP), Curitiba, PR, Brazil.,École d'Orthophonie et d'Audiologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Débora Lüders
- Department of Communication Disorders, Universidade Tuiuti do Paraná (UTP), Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | | | - Jair Marques
- Department of Communication Disorders, Universidade Tuiuti do Paraná (UTP), Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Tony Leroux
- École d'Orthophonie et d'Audiologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
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Sena TRR, Dourado SSF, Lima LV, Antoniolli ÂR. The hearing of rural workers exposed to noise and pesticides. Noise Health 2018; 20:23-26. [PMID: 29457603 PMCID: PMC5843986 DOI: 10.4103/nah.nah_70_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In work environments, different physical and chemical agents that may pose a risk to workers‘ hearing health coexist. In this context, occupational hearing loss stands out. It has mostly been attributed to only noise exposure, although there are other agents, that is, pesticides that might contribute to occupational hearing loss. In this report, two cases will be presented that consider rural workers exposed to pesticides and intense noise generated by an adapted rudimentary vehicle. The noise measured in this vehicle was 88.3 dBA up to 93.4 dBA. Pure-tone audiometry, distortion product otoacoustic emissions, and high-frequency audiometry tests were performed. This report is unusual because of the short time of exposure to noise and pesticides and the hearing loss found, indicating a synergy between those agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tereza R R Sena
- Department of Audiology and Speech Therapy, Doctoral Program in Health Science, Federal University of Sergipe, Brazil
| | - Solano S F Dourado
- Graduate Program in Physiological Science, Doctoral Program in Health Science, Federal University of Sergipe, Brazil
| | - Lucas V Lima
- Graduate Program in Physiological Science, Doctoral Program in Health Science, Federal University of Sergipe, Brazil
| | - Ângelo R Antoniolli
- Department of Physiology, Doctoral Program in Health Science, Federal University of Sergipe, Brazil
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França DMVR, Bender Moreira Lacerda A, Lobato D, Ribas A, Ziliotto Dias K, Leroux T, Fuente A. Adverse effects of pesticides on central auditory functions in tobacco growers. Int J Audiol 2017; 56:233-241. [PMID: 27869513 DOI: 10.1080/14992027.2016.1255787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of exposure to pesticides on the central auditory functions (CAF) of Brazilian tobacco growers. DESIGN This was a cross-sectional study carried out between 2010 and 2012. Participants were evaluated with two behavioural procedures to investigate CAF, the random gap detection test (RGDT) and the dichotic digit test in Portuguese (DDT). STUDY SAMPLE A total of 22 growers exposed to pesticides (study group) and 21 subjects who were not exposed to pesticides (control group) were selected. RESULTS No significant differences between groups were observed for pure-tone thresholds. A significant association between pesticide exposure and the results for RGDT and DDT was found. Significant differences between pesticide-exposed and nonexposed subjects were found for RGDT frequency average and DDT binaural average, when including age and hearing level as covariates. Age was significantly associated with RGDT frequency average, DDT left ear score, DDT binaural average and DDT right ear advantage. Hearing levels were not significantly associated with any of the test scores. The relative risk of failing the DDT and RGDT for the study group was 1.88 (95% CI: 1.10-3.20) and 1.74 (95% CI: 1.06-2.86), respectively, as compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS The results showed that tobacco growers exposed to pesticides exhibited signs of central auditory dysfunction characterised by decrements in temporal processing and binaural integration processes/abilities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Diolen Lobato
- b Universidade Tuiuti do Paraná , Curitiba , Brazil , and
| | - Angela Ribas
- b Universidade Tuiuti do Paraná , Curitiba , Brazil , and
| | | | - Tony Leroux
- d Université de Montréal , Montreal , Canada
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Sturza J, Silver MK, Xu L, Li M, Mai X, Xia Y, Shao J, Lozoff B, Meeker J. Prenatal exposure to multiple pesticides is associated with auditory brainstem response at 9months in a cohort study of Chinese infants. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2016; 92-93:478-485. [PMID: 27166702 PMCID: PMC4902769 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2016.04.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2016] [Revised: 04/13/2016] [Accepted: 04/22/2016] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pesticides are associated with poorer neurodevelopmental outcomes, but little is known about the effects on sensory functioning. METHODS Auditory brainstem response (ABR) and pesticide data were available for 27 healthy, full-term 9-month-old infants participating in a larger study of early iron deficiency and neurodevelopment. Cord blood was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for levels of 20 common pesticides. The ABR forward-masking condition consisted of a click stimulus (masker) delivered via ear canal transducers followed by an identical stimulus delayed by 8, 16, or 64 milliseconds (ms). ABR peak latencies were evaluated as a function of masker-stimulus time interval. Shorter wave latencies reflect faster neural conduction, more mature auditory pathways, and greater degree of myelination. Linear regression models were used to evaluate associations between total number of pesticides detected and ABR outcomes. We considered an additive or synergistic effect of poor iron status by stratifying our analysis by newborn ferritin (based on median split). RESULTS Infants in the sample were highly exposed to pesticides; a mean of 4.1 pesticides were detected (range 0-9). ABR Wave V latency and central conduction time (CCT) were associated with the number of pesticides detected in cord blood for the 64ms and non-masker conditions. A similar pattern seen for CCT from the 8ms and 16ms conditions, although statistical significance was not reached. Increased pesticide exposure was associated with longer latency. The relation between number of pesticides detected in cord blood and CCT depended on the infant's cord blood ferritin level. Specifically, the relation was present in the lower cord blood ferritin group but not the higher cord blood ferritin group. CONCLUSIONS ABR processing was slower in infants with greater prenatal pesticide exposure, indicating impaired neuromaturation. Infants with lower cord blood ferritin appeared to be more sensitive to the effects of prenatal pesticide exposure on ABR latency delay, suggesting an additive or multiplicative effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Sturza
- Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Monica K Silver
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Lin Xu
- Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Mingyan Li
- Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Xiaoqin Mai
- Department of Psychology, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China.
| | - Yankai Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Jie Shao
- Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Betsy Lozoff
- Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - John Meeker
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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14
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Abstract
The main hazard for hearing in the workplace is noise. Organic solvents and heavy metals may increase the danger of developing occupational hearing loss, particularly in the case of co-exposure with noise. While noise produces damage predominantly to the cochlea, chemicals may be responsible for pathologic changes in both peripheral and central parts of the auditory pathway. Noise-induced hearing loss develops slowly over the years, although its progression is most dynamic during the first 10-15 years of exposure. Pure-tone audiometry indicates a bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, affecting predominantly high frequencies, with typical notch at 3-6 kHz in the early stages of the disease. Where there is co-exposure to noise and chemicals, the noise effect on hearing threshold shifts is dominant; however chemicals seem to increase the vulnerability of the cochlea to the damage by noise, particularly at its low and moderate levels. According to European Directive 2003/10/EC, the employer is obliged to implement hearing prevention programs when the A-weighted equivalent 8-hour level of noise (LAEX8 hr) exceeds 80 dB. Since chemicals may impair intelligibility of speech despite a lack of audiometric hearing threshold shift, implementation of speech audiometry, particularly speech in noise tests, is recommended in prevention programs.
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