Employment in the Ecuadorian cut-flower industry and the risk of spontaneous abortion

Potential pathological mechanisms and pharmacological interventions for cadmium-induced miscarriage

The prevalence of cadmium (Cd) contamination has emerged as a significant global concern. Exposure to Cd during pregnancy is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, including miscarriage. However, there is currently a lack of comprehensive summaries on Cd-induced miscarriage. Therefore, it is imperative to further strengthen research into in vivo studies, clinical status, pathological mechanisms, and pharmacological interventions for Cd-induced miscarriage. This study systematically presents the current knowledge on animal models and clinical trials investigating Cd exposure-induced miscarriage. The underlying mechanisms involving oxidative stress, inflammation, endocrine disruption, and placental dysfunction caused by Cd-induced miscarriage are also extensively discussed. Additionally, potential drug interventions such as melatonin, vitamin C, and vitamin E are highlighted for their pharmacological role in mitigating adverse pregnancy outcomes induced by Cd.

Cadmium Toxicity and Health Effects-A Brief Summary

Cadmium (Cd) is a ductile metal in the form of a blueish or silvery-white powder. It is naturally found in soil (about 0.2 mg/kg), minerals, and water. Cd belongs to the group of toxic, carcinogenic, and stimulating elements. Its biological half-life in the human body ranges from 16 to even 30 years on average. Some lung diseases (such as emphysema, asthma, and bronchitis) and high blood pressure are thought to be related to slow poisoning. The symptoms of cadmium poisoning may vary depending on the time of exposure, the type of diet, and the age and health status of the exposed people. For non-smokers and non-occupational exposures, the only source of exposure is diet. The FAO/WHO recommends that the tolerable cadmium intake for an adult is approximately 0.4-0.5 mg/week (60-70 µg per day). Cadmium is primarily absorbed through the respiratory system (about 13-19% of Cd from the air), but it can also enter through the digestive system (about 10-44%), when dust is mixed and swallowed with saliva. The amount of accumulated Cd ranges from 0.14 to 3.2 ppm in muscles, 1.8 ppm in bones, and 0.0052 ppm in the blood. People who are most frequently exposed to heavy metals should be continuously monitored in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle, as well as to implement effective preventive measures and improve public health.

Mapping Potential Population-Level Pesticide Exposures in Ecuador Using a Modular and Scalable Geospatial Strategy

Human populations and ecosystems are extensively exposed to pesticides. Most nations lack the capacity to control pesticide contamination and have limited availability of pesticide use information. Ecuador is a country with intense pesticide use with high exposure risks to humans and the environment, although relative or combined risks are not well understood. Here, we analyzed the distribution of application rates in Ecuador and identified regions of concern because of high potential exposure. We used a geospatial analysis to identify grid cells (∼8 km × 8 km) where the highest pesticide application rates and density of human populations overlap. Furthermore, we identified other regions of concern based on the number of amphibian species as an indicator of ecosystem integrity and the location of natural protected areas. We found that 28% of Ecuador's population dwelled in areas with high pesticide application rate. We identified an area of ∼512 km2 in the Amazon region where high application rates, large human settlements, and a high number of amphibian species overlapped. Additionally, we distinguished clusters of pesticide application rates and human populations that intersected with natural protected areas. Ecuador exemplifies how pesticides are disproportionately applied in areas with the potential to affect human health and ecosystems' integrity. Global estimates of population dwelling, pesticide application rates, and environmental factors are key in prioritizing locations to conduct further exposure assessments. The modular and scalable nature of the geospatial tools we developed can be expanded and adapted to other regions of the world where data on pesticide use are limited.

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.

A review on pesticides in flower production: A push to reduce human exposure and environmental contamination

In several countries, flower import regulations are restricted to food security, by establishing maximum residue limits (MRL) for pesticides in flower-based food products and biosafety, in order to limit the circulation of vectors, pests and exotic species across borders. In this context, the lack of limits on pesticides in flower-products for ornamental purposes can influence the pesticide overuse in production areas, as well as the transfer of contaminated products between countries. Therefore, the purpose of this review was to discuss possible adverse effects on human and environmental health of pesticides used in floriculture, evaluating regulations on the use of these pesticides in the main importing and flower-producing countries. This review included 92 documents. The use of 201 compounds was identified by interviews and analytical measurements. Among them, 93 are banned by the European Union (EU), although 46.3 % of these compounds have been identified in samples from European countries. Latin American countries have a large number of scientific publications on pesticides in flower production (n = 51), while the EU and China have less studies (n = 24) and the United States and Japan have no studies. Regarding adverse health effects, poorer neurobehavioral development, reproductive disorders, congenital malformations and genotoxicity have been reported for residents of flower production areas and workers throughout the flower production cycle. Studies including water samples show overuse of pesticides, while environmental impacts are related to water and air contamination, soil degradation and adverse effects on the reproduction and development of non-target organisms. This review points out that the absence of MRL for non-edible flowers can be crucial for the trade of contaminated products across borders, including pesticides banned in importing countries. Furthermore, setting limits on flowers could reduce the use of pesticides in producing countries.

Pesticide Exposure and Health Problems Among Female Horticulture Workers in Tanzania

Commercialization of horticulture farming, expansion of farms, and the practice of monoculture favor the proliferation of pests, which in turn increases the need for pesticides. Increased exposure to pesticides is associated with inadequate knowledge on the hazardous nature of pesticides, poor hygiene practices, lack of availability of washing facilities, and insufficient adherence to precautionary instructions on pesticide labels. Mitigating the risks posed by pesticides is considered a less compelling interest than alleviating poverty. Women working in horticulture in Tanzania usually have low levels of education and income and lack decision-making power even on matters relating to their own health. This contributes to pesticide exposure and other health challenges. Because of multiple factors, some of which act as study confounders, few studies on exposure to pesticides and health effects have been conducted among women. This review identified factors that contribute to the increased health effects among women working in the horticultural industry and how these effects relate to pesticide exposure.

Occupational safety of farmers in the vegetable industry

This study aimed to determine unsafe farming practices, nonergonomically designed equipment, and possible adverse health effects of pesticide exposure. Data were gathered with a structured survey, physical examination and blood extraction. Environmental monitoring was done for vegetables to determine multipesticide residue. Forty-eight percent of respondents reported feeling sick because of work. Vegetable residue was found in 16.67% of the samples. Vegetable profenofos of appoximately1 mg exceeded the necessary average daily intake of a maximum of 0.006 mg. Data also showed nonergonomically designed tools and unsafe work practices that increased pesticide exposure such as re-entering recently sprayed areas, a damaged backpack sprayer, spills during spraying, and no ventilation in greenhouses.

Pesticide risk assessment in flower greenhouses in Argentina: the importance of manipulating concentrated products

An evaluation of the Potential Dermal Exposure of workers to endosulfan and procymidone at the mix/load and application stages was done in small floricultural production units in Argentina. Seven experiments were performed with different operators under typical greenhouse conditions, based on the whole body dosimetry methodology. These results indicate that the mean Potential Dermal Exposure of the application step was 45.0 ± 55.0 mL h(-1) with the highest proportion on torso, head, arms and hands. When the mix/load and application stages were compared, the first was found to contribute the most to the total exposure. Also, the Margin of Safety for the different operations was calculated, and a pesticide surrogate was developed and used to make comparative evaluations of hand exposure for different groups of operators. These results emphasize the importance of the mix/load stage in the exposure process.