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Agache I, Annesi-Maesano I, Cecchi L, Biagioni B, Chung KF, Clot B, D'Amato G, Damialis A, Del Giacco S, Dominguez-Ortega J, Galàn C, Gilles S, Holgate S, Jeebhay M, Kazadzis S, Nadeau K, Papadopoulos N, Quirce S, Sastre J, Tummon F, Traidl-Hoffmann C, Walusiak-Skorupa J, Jutel M, Akdis CA. EAACI guidelines on environmental science for allergy and asthma: The impact of short-term exposure to outdoor air pollutants on asthma-related outcomes and recommendations for mitigation measures. Allergy 2024; 79:1656-1686. [PMID: 38563695 DOI: 10.1111/all.16103] [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: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
The EAACI Guidelines on the impact of short-term exposure to outdoor pollutants on asthma-related outcomes provide recommendations for prevention, patient care and mitigation in a framework supporting rational decisions for healthcare professionals and patients to individualize and improve asthma management and for policymakers and regulators as an evidence-informed reference to help setting legally binding standards and goals for outdoor air quality at international, national and local levels. The Guideline was developed using the GRADE approach and evaluated outdoor pollutants referenced in the current Air Quality Guideline of the World Health Organization as single or mixed pollutants and outdoor pesticides. Short-term exposure to all pollutants evaluated increases the risk of asthma-related adverse outcomes, especially hospital admissions and emergency department visits (moderate certainty of evidence at specific lag days). There is limited evidence for the impact of traffic-related air pollution and outdoor pesticides exposure as well as for the interventions to reduce emissions. Due to the quality of evidence, conditional recommendations were formulated for all pollutants and for the interventions reducing outdoor air pollution. Asthma management counselled by the current EAACI guidelines can improve asthma-related outcomes but global measures for clean air are needed to achieve significant impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioana Agache
- Faculty of Medicine, Transylvania University, Brasov, Romania
| | - Isabella Annesi-Maesano
- Institute Desbrest of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Montpellier and INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Lorenzo Cecchi
- Centre of Bioclimatology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Benedetta Biagioni
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Unit San Giovanni di Dio Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Kian Fan Chung
- National Hearth & Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Bernard Clot
- Federal office of meteorology and climatology MeteoSwiss, Payerne, Switzerland
| | - Gennaro D'Amato
- Respiratory Disease Department, Hospital Cardarelli, Naples, Italy
- University of Naples Federico II Medical School of Respiratory Diseases, Naples, Italy
| | - Athanasios Damialis
- Department of Ecology, School of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Stefano Del Giacco
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Javier Dominguez-Ortega
- Department of Allergy, La Paz University Hospital, IdiPAZ, and CIBER of Respiratory Diseases (CIBERES), Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Galàn
- Inter-University Institute for Earth System Research (IISTA), International Campus of Excellence on Agrifood (ceiA3), University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Stefanie Gilles
- Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Stephen Holgate
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Mohamed Jeebhay
- Occupational Medicine Division and Centre for Environmental & Occupational Health Research, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Stelios Kazadzis
- Physikalisch-Meteorologisches Observatorium Davos, World Radiation Center, Davos, Switzerland
| | - Kari Nadeau
- John Rock Professor of Climate and Population Studies, Department of Environmental Health, Center for Climate, Health, and the Global Environment, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Nikolaos Papadopoulos
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Unit, Second Pediatric Clinic, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- Division of Evolution and Genomic Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Santiago Quirce
- Department of Allergy, La Paz University Hospital, IdiPAZ, and CIBER of Respiratory Diseases (CIBERES), Madrid, Spain
| | - Joaquin Sastre
- Allergy Service, Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Faculty of Medicine Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and CIBERES, Instituto Carlos III, Ministry of Science and Innovation, Madrid, Spain
| | - Fiona Tummon
- Respiratory Disease Department, Hospital Cardarelli, Naples, Italy
- University of Naples Federico II Medical School of Respiratory Diseases, Naples, Italy
| | - Claudia Traidl-Hoffmann
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Helmholtz Center Munich-German Research Center for Environmental Health, Augsburg, Germany
- Christine Kühne Center for Allergy Research and Education, Davos, Switzerland
| | - Jolanta Walusiak-Skorupa
- Department of Occupational Diseases and Environmental Health, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lodz, Poland
| | - Marek Jutel
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Wrocław Medical University, and ALL-MED Medical Research Institute, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Cezmi A Akdis
- Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF), University Zurich, Davos, Switzerland
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Figueiredo DM, Vermeulen RCH, Jacobs C, Holterman HJ, van de Zande JC, van den Berg F, Gooijer YM, Lageschaar L, Buijtenhuijs D, Krop E, Huss A, Duyzer J. OBOMod - Integrated modelling framework for residents' exposure to pesticides. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 825:153798. [PMID: 35151737 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pesticides can be transported from the site of application to homes via different routes and lead to exposure of residents, raising concerns regarding health effects. We built a deterministic model framework (OBOmod) to assess exposure of residents living near fields where pesticides are applied. METHODS OBOmod connects five independent models operating on an hourly timescale and high spatial resolution (meters). Models include descriptions of spray drift, volatilization, atmospheric transport and dispersion, exchange between outdoor and indoor air and exchange between indoor air and dust. Fourteen bulb field applications under different weather conditions and comprising 12 pesticides were simulated. Each simulation included the first seven days after the application. The concentrations computed with OBOmod were compared with those measured in outdoor and indoor air and the amounts measured in indoor dust samples. RESULTS Model evaluation indicated suitability of the developed framework to estimate outdoor and indoor air concentrations. For most pesticides, model accuracy was good. The framework explained about 30% to 95% of the temporal and spatial variability of air concentrations. For 20% of the simulations, the framework explained more than 35% of spatial variability of concentrations in dust. In general, OBOmod estimates remained within one order of magnitude from measured levels. Calculations showed that in addition to spray drift during application, volatilization from the field after spraying and pesticides in house dust are important routes for residents' exposure to pesticides. CONCLUSIONS Our framework covers many processes needed to calculate exposure of residents to pesticides. The evaluation phase shows that, with the exception of the dust model, the framework can be used in support of health and epidemiological studies, and can serve as a tool to support development of regulations and policy making regarding pesticide use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel M Figueiredo
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Division of Environmental Epidemiology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Roel C H Vermeulen
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Division of Environmental Epidemiology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Julius Centre for Public Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Centre, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Cor Jacobs
- Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Henk Jan Holterman
- Wageningen Plant Research, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Jan C van de Zande
- Wageningen Plant Research, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Frederik van den Berg
- Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Yvonne M Gooijer
- CLM Onderzoek en Advies BV, P.O. Box 62, 4100 AB Culemborg, the Netherlands
| | - Luuk Lageschaar
- CLM Onderzoek en Advies BV, P.O. Box 62, 4100 AB Culemborg, the Netherlands
| | - Daan Buijtenhuijs
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Division of Environmental Epidemiology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Esmeralda Krop
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Division of Environmental Epidemiology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Anke Huss
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Division of Environmental Epidemiology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jan Duyzer
- TNO Circular Economy and the Environment, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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Habran S, Philippart C, Jacquemin P, Remy S. Mapping agricultural use of pesticides to enable research and environmental health actions in Belgium. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 301:119018. [PMID: 35182653 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Given the many public health and environmental impacts associated with the use of pesticides, comprehensive pesticide application data are a high priority for environmental and health professionals, government agencies, and community groups in Wallonia (Belgium). In that context, geographic information system (GIS) approaches for mapping estimates of agricultural pesticide use were developed in the present study. Data on pesticide application rates and high-resolution annual datasets of the geographic distribution of crops were used to complete this analysis in Wallonia over the period 2015-2017. The method was implemented in Python in order to allow easy update and improvements of maps, or to segment maps by individual pesticides, chemical groups of pesticides (e.g. insecticides, herbicides), etc. Linked databases were created to classify, select, and possibly weight AIs according to specific requests and criteria. The results provide a first map of agricultural pesticide use in Wallonia, which depicts the best picture up to now of their geographic distribution. Maps of fungicides, herbicides, and plant growth regulators showed quite similar spatial patterns as the map of the combination of all pesticides. In contrast, the insecticide map showed a specific pattern related almost exclusively to dwarf-tree orchards in some municipalities in northern Wallonia. This research work is a preliminary result on the spatial characterization of agricultural pesticide use in Wallonia and give a valuable basis for research and environmental health actions in Belgium. Forthcoming developments will focus on exposure characterization to agricultural pesticides using GIS models. Using this information, policymakers will able to detect potential priority zones and take action to check and reduce agricultural pesticide loads in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Habran
- Environmental Health Unit, Institut Scientifique de Service Public (ISSeP), Liege, Belgium.
| | - Christelle Philippart
- Environmental Health Unit, Institut Scientifique de Service Public (ISSeP), Liege, Belgium
| | - Pierre Jacquemin
- Environmental Health Unit, Institut Scientifique de Service Public (ISSeP), Liege, Belgium
| | - Suzanne Remy
- Environmental Health Unit, Institut Scientifique de Service Public (ISSeP), Liege, Belgium
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Gonzaga CWP, Baldo MP, Caldeira AP. Exposure to pesticides or agroecological practices: suicidal ideation among peasant farmers in Brazil's semi-arid region. CIENCIA & SAUDE COLETIVA 2021; 26:4243-4252. [PMID: 34586275 DOI: 10.1590/1413-81232021269.09052020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Health risks faced by peasant farmers may vary depending on the type of agriculture they practice. This study examined the association between suicide ideation and exposure to pesticides by comparing two groups of peasant farmers of both sexes living in the semi-arid region of the north of Minas Gerais, Brazil: exposed to pesticides and adopting agroecological practices without the use of pesticides. Group participants were selected using convenience sampling and data was collected using a previously validated questionnaire administered through face-to-face interviews. Bivariate analysis was performed, followed by logistic regression. A total of 547 peasant farmers were interviewed (311 in the group exposed to pesticides and 236 in the group adopting agroecological practices). Respondents from the group exposed to pesticides were more likely to report suicidal ideation (OR=2.30; 95%CI 1.16-4.56), harmful alcohol consumption (OR=2.30; 95%CI 1.18-4.48), and lifetime acute pesticide poisoning (OR=8.58; 95%CI 2.98-24.72). The findings suggest that agricultural practices that lead to chronic pesticide exposure are associated with a greater likelihood of suicide ideation, regardless of previous episodes of acute pesticide poisoning or harmful alcohol consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marcelo Perim Baldo
- Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros. Av. Prof. Rui Braga s/n, Vila Mauriceia. 39401-089 Montes Claros MG Brasil.
| | - Antônio Prates Caldeira
- Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros. Av. Prof. Rui Braga s/n, Vila Mauriceia. 39401-089 Montes Claros MG Brasil.
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Dereumeaux C, Fillol C, Quenel P, Denys S. Pesticide exposures for residents living close to agricultural lands: A review. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 134:105210. [PMID: 31739132 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.105210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/21/2019] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Residents living close to agricultural lands might be exposed to pesticides through non-occupational pathways including spray drift and volatilization of pesticides beyond the treated area. OBJECTIVE This review aimed to identify and analyze scientific literature measuring pesticide exposure in non-farmworker residents living close to agricultural lands, and to suggest practical implications and needs for future studies. METHODS A review was performed using inclusion criteria to identify original articles of interest published between 2003 and 2018. RESULTS From the 29 articles selected in this review, 2 belonged to the same study and were grouped, resulting in a total of 27 studies. Seven studies assessed exposure to pesticides using environmental samples, 13 collected biological samples and 7 analyzed both. Nine studies included a reference group of residents living far from agricultural lands while 11 assessed the influence of the spraying season or spray events on pesticide exposures. Studies included in this review provide evidence that residents living near to agricultural lands are exposed to higher levels of pesticides than residents living further away. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION This review highlights that the following study design characteristics may be more appropriate than others to measure pesticide spray drift exposure in non-farmworker residents living close to agricultural lands: inclusion of a non-agricultural control group, collection of both biological and environmental samples with repeated sampling, measurements at different periods of the year, selection of numerous study sites related to one specific crop group, and measurements of pesticides which are specific to agricultural use. However, few studies to date incorporate all these characteristics. Additional studies are needed to comprehensively measure non-occupational pesticide exposures in this population in order to evaluate health risks, and to develop appropriate prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clémentine Dereumeaux
- Direction of Environmental Health, Santé Publique France, Saint Maurice Cedex, France.
| | - Clémence Fillol
- Direction of Environmental Health, Santé Publique France, Saint Maurice Cedex, France
| | - Philippe Quenel
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) - UMR_S1085, F-35000 Rennes, France
| | - Sébastien Denys
- Direction of Environmental Health, Santé Publique France, Saint Maurice Cedex, France
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Raherison C, Baldi I, Pouquet M, Berteaud E, Moesch C, Bouvier G, Canal-Raffin M. Pesticides Exposure by Air in Vineyard Rural Area and Respiratory Health in Children: A pilot study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 169:189-195. [PMID: 30466012 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2018.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Revised: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 11/02/2018] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Asthma, frequently associated with rhinitis, is the most common chronic disease in children, and a significant role is played by a range of environmental exposures. Among them, air pollution is of foremost concern. However, little is known about the impact of airborne pesticide exposure on children's respiratory health in rural areas. The objective of this study was to analyze the association between airborne pesticide exposure and asthma and rhinitis in children. METHODS In a French vineyard rural area, children (3-10 years old) from 4 selected schools were invited to participate in this study over two periods: winter, with no or low air pesticide levels, and summer when fields are frequently treated with pesticides. Two health outcomes were considered: asthma and rhinitis symptoms (ISAAC questionnaire), and peak expiratory flow (PEF). A quantitative score of symptoms was built. Exposure to pesticides was evaluated 1) by measuring 56 pesticides in the ambient outdoor air around schools in the two periods and building a cumulative exposure index, and 2) by measuring ethylenethiourea (ETU) concentrations in urine in a subsample of children (n = 96), ETU being a urine biomarker of exposure to dithiocarbamates fungicides. Next, the association between pesticide exposure and respiratory health was studied using a logistic regression model, adjusted for confounders and respiratory status at baseline. RESULTS 281 children participated in the study (47% girls, mean age: 7.5 yrs). 25% of the children were living on a farm. 22% had experienced wheezing at least once. 15.8% had asthma diagnosed by a doctor, 12% had current asthma and 35% had allergic rhinitis. The main pesticides detected in the ambient outdoor air around schools were fungicides (89,3%; mainly folpet and dithiocarbamates) and insecticides (10.6%). No association was found between the symptom score and pesticides in the outdoor air around schools during summer, when pesticides were applied to vineyards. However, an association was found between ETU urinary concentration (>0.974 μg/g creatinine) and asthma and rhinitis symptoms (OR=3.56; IC 95% 1.04-12.12). This result could be explained by extracurricular exposure, which was not considered in our air measurements in the schools. No association was found between peak expiratory flow and exposure to pesticides in the air. CONCLUSIONS Children living in vineyard rural areas are at a higher risk of airborne dithiocarbamates exposure during the summer period. Despite the limited size of our sample, our results suggest possible links between some pesticide measurements and respiratory and allergic symptoms such as rhinitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Raherison
- Univ. Bordeaux, Inserm, Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, team EPICENE, UMR 1219, F-33000 Bordeaux, France; Service des Maladies Respiratoires, CHU Bordeaux, France.
| | - I Baldi
- Univ. Bordeaux, Inserm, Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, team EPICENE, UMR 1219, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - M Pouquet
- Univ. Bordeaux, Inserm, Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, team EPICENE, UMR 1219, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - E Berteaud
- Univ. Bordeaux, Inserm, Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, team EPICENE, UMR 1219, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - C Moesch
- Service de Pharmacologie et de Toxicologie, CHU Dupuytren, Limoges, France
| | - G Bouvier
- Univ. Bordeaux, Inserm, Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, team EPICENE, UMR 1219, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - M Canal-Raffin
- Univ. Bordeaux, Inserm, Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, team EPICENE, UMR 1219, F-33000 Bordeaux, France; Laboratoire de Pharmacologie Clinique et de Toxicologie, CHU Bordeaux, France
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Bukalasa JS, Brunekreef B, Brouwer M, Koppelman GH, Wijga AH, Huss A, Gehring U. Associations of residential exposure to agricultural pesticides with asthma prevalence in adolescence: The PIAMA birth cohort. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2018; 121:435-442. [PMID: 30266014 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.09.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Revised: 07/04/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It has been suggested that children who are exposed to agricultural pesticides have an increased risk of asthma, but evidence for associations betweeen residential pesticide exposure and childhood asthma is inconsistent. OBJECTIVES To investigate the associations of residential pesticide exposure with the prevalence of asthma and related symptoms within a Dutch birth cohort study. METHODS In this cross-sectional analysis, we included participants of the PIAMA birth cohort study with data on residential pesticide exposure and asthma from parent-completed questionnaires at age 14, collected in 2012 (N = 1473). We used spatial data on the presence of individual crops (cereals, open field vegetables, commercial crops, open field floriculture/bulbs, corn and potatoes) and pesticide application on these crops to estimate residential exposure to pesticides with known irritant properties for the respiratory system within distances of 100, 500, and 1000 m of the participants' homes. Logistic regression was used to estimate associations between exposure and outcomes, adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS No associations were found between living within 100, 500 and 1000 m of agricultural fields likely treated with pesticides and symptoms of asthma. For instance, for participants living within 100 m of fields with any crops likely treated with pesticides, the adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for the prevalence of asthma, shortness of breath and dry night cough at age 14 were 0.31 (0.07, 1.32), 0.61 (0.23, 1.57) and 1.26 (0.56, 2.80), respectively. No associations were found between estimated exposure to pesticides with known irritant properties for the respiratory system and asthma or related symptoms. CONCLUSIONS There was no association between living near agricultural fields likely treated with pesticides and asthma and related respiratory symptoms, among our study participants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph S Bukalasa
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Bert Brunekreef
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Maartje Brouwer
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Gerard H Koppelman
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Beatrix Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatric Pulmonology and Pediatric Allergology, Groningen, the Netherlands; University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD (GRIAC), Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Alet H Wijga
- Center for Nutrition, Prevention and Health Services, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Anke Huss
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Ulrike Gehring
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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Lu JL. Assessment of Pesticide-Related Pollution and Occupational Health of Vegetable Farmers in Benguet Province, Philippines. J Health Pollut 2017; 7:49-57. [PMID: 30524840 PMCID: PMC6221443 DOI: 10.5696/2156-9614-7.16.49] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2017] [Accepted: 09/20/2017] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Agriculture accounts for 20% of the national income in the Philippines. In order to boost agricultural activity and prevent crop damage, farmers rely on pesticides for vector control and management. OBJECTIVES The present study assessed the pesticide exposure and occupational health of agricultural farmers in the Philippines. The study site is one of the largest vegetable-producing provinces in the Philippines. METHODS This study employed both a survey questionnaire and physical health assessment, including a mental state examination. Pesticide exposure was estimated based on the duration of pesticide use, as well as the amount per spray application. The data results were segregated by gender, as women are also heavily engaged in agriculture in this part of the Philippines. RESULTS The results showed that pesticide exposure usually occurred during agricultural activities such as spray applications in the field (63.7%), mixing (38.4%), loading (34.1%) and field re-entry (9.7%). The most frequently used pesticides were Tamaron, Selecron, and Dithane. The mean duration of pesticide exposure was 14.23 years for males and 15.4 years for females. The longest used pesticide among males was Sumicidine (16.2 years), and Tamaron for females (18 years). In terms of amount used, the average was 147 ml per spray application for males and 65.5 ml for females. Exposure to pesticides was expressed in number of years and amount used per spray application, and the average exposure of males was 2,024.43 ml/years and 993.55 ml/years for females. Among farmers, 49% complained of being sick due to their work. Of those who became ill, a large percentage (69.8%) did not receive any medical attention. The most prevalent health symptoms were muscle pains (63.3%), muscle weakness (55%), and easy fatigability (52.4%). For the mini-mental state examination, abnormalities were found in 5.4% of males and 13.3% of females. The use of insecticides was associated with weakness, easy fatigability and weight loss. DISCUSSION The present study demonstrated frequent and significant duration of pesticide use among farmers in Benguet province, Philippines. CONCLUSIONS Pesticide exposure was considerable among the farmers in the present study. The occupational health conditions reported by the study subjects can be linked to their pesticide use. Although this study assessed risk factors associated with general health symptoms, further investigation is needed to determine specific pesticide exposure-health correlations. PARTICIPANT CONSENT Obtained. ETHICS APPROVAL The study was approved by the Research Ethics Board of the University of the Philippines, Manila, which is recognized and accredited by the Forum for Ethical Review Committees in Asia and the Western Pacific (FERCAP).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinky Leilanie Lu
- National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Republic of the Philippines
- College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Manila, Republic of the Philippines
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