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Andrade‐Rivas F, Paul N, Spiegel J, Henderson SB, Parrott L, Delgado‐Ron JA, Echeverri A, van den Bosch M. Mapping Potential Population-Level Pesticide Exposures in Ecuador Using a Modular and Scalable Geospatial Strategy. GEOHEALTH 2023; 7:e2022GH000775. [PMID: 37426690 PMCID: PMC10326482 DOI: 10.1029/2022gh000775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Andrade‐Rivas
- School of Population and Public HealthThe University of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
- Instituto de Salud y AmbienteUniversidad El BosqueBogotáColombia
| | - Naman Paul
- School of Population and Public HealthThe University of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
- Environmental Health ServicesBritish Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC)VancouverBCCanada
| | - Jerry Spiegel
- School of Population and Public HealthThe University of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
| | - Sarah B. Henderson
- School of Population and Public HealthThe University of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
- Environmental Health ServicesBritish Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC)VancouverBCCanada
| | - Lael Parrott
- Department of BiologyThe University of British ColumbiaKelownaBCCanada
- Department of Earth, Environmental and Geographic SciencesThe University of British ColumbiaKelownaBCCanada
- Okanagan Institute for Biodiversity, Resilience, and Ecosystem ServicesThe University of British ColumbiaKelownaBCCanada
| | - Jorge Andrés Delgado‐Ron
- School of Population and Public HealthThe University of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
- Faculty of Health SciencesSimon Fraser UniversityVancouverBCCanada
| | - Alejandra Echeverri
- Centre for Conservation BiologyStanford UniversityStanfordCAUSA
- The Natural Capital ProjectStanford UniversityStanfordCAUSA
| | - Matilda van den Bosch
- School of Population and Public HealthThe University of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
- ISGlobalParc de Recerca Biomèdica de BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
- Universitat Pompeu FabraBarcelonaSpain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP)MadridSpain
- Department of Forest and Conservation SciencesThe University of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
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Valencia-Quintana R, Milić M, Bonassi S, Ochoa-Ocaña MA, Campos-Peña V, Tenorio-Arvide MG, Pérez-Flores GA, Sánchez-Alarcón J. Effect of Pesticide Exposure over DNA Damage in Farmers from Los Reyes, Michoacan in Mexico. TOXICS 2023; 11:toxics11020122. [PMID: 36850997 PMCID: PMC9966867 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11020122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
In the municipality of Los Reyes, Michoacán, in Mexico, several economic activities coexist; however, the most relevant is agriculture. It stands out as an agro-industrial center and commercial enclave in the region, suitable for the cultivation of sugar cane; however, currently fruit growing takes first place with blackberry, raspberry and blueberry, followed by avocado, peach, strawberry and other crops. A large quantity and variety of pesticides are applied to crops, consequently the population is at constant risk. This study aimed to evaluate whether pesticides are a factor in genetic damage to agricultural workers from Los Reyes, Michoacán, using alkaline comet assay. Fifty-nine residents participated (41 workers and 18 controls). Results included confounding factors (alcohol consumption, smoking habit, gender, age, BMI, etc.) indicated a non-significant statistical difference between two groups, with higher DNA damage values in workers that was higher than the values expected in a normal healthy unexposed population. It seems that the control measures, safe handling of pesticides and quality standards, required by the producers so that their products can be exported, have resulted in less damage, despite workers' activity, but higher damage than the reference values still requires regular surveillance of those exposed. The use of protective equipment or measures can reduce the risk of damage, so it is also necessary to promote their service and comply with labor regulations for agricultural workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Valencia-Quintana
- Laboratorio “Rafael Villalobos-Pietrini” de Toxicología Genómica y Química Ambiental, Facultad de Agrobiología, Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala, CA Genética y Ambiente UATLX-CA 223, Red Temática de Toxicología de Plaguicidas, Tlaxcala 90120, Mexico
| | - Mirta Milić
- Mutagenesis Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska Cesta 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Stefano Bonassi
- Department of Human Sciences and Quality of Life Promotion, San Rafaele University, 00166 Rome, Italy
- Unit of Clinical and Molecular Epidemiology, IRCCS San Rafaele Pisana, 00166 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Victoria Campos-Peña
- Experimental Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery Manuel Velasco Suárez, Mexico City 14269, Mexico
| | | | - Guillermo Alejandro Pérez-Flores
- Laboratorio “Rafael Villalobos-Pietrini” de Toxicología Genómica y Química Ambiental, Facultad de Agrobiología, Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala, CA Genética y Ambiente UATLX-CA 223, Red Temática de Toxicología de Plaguicidas, Tlaxcala 90120, Mexico
| | - Juana Sánchez-Alarcón
- Laboratorio “Rafael Villalobos-Pietrini” de Toxicología Genómica y Química Ambiental, Facultad de Agrobiología, Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala, CA Genética y Ambiente UATLX-CA 223, Red Temática de Toxicología de Plaguicidas, Tlaxcala 90120, Mexico
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Landeros N, Duk S, Márquez C, Inzunza B, Acuña-Rodríguez IS, Zúñiga-Venegas LA. Genotoxicity and Reproductive Risk in Workers Exposed to Pesticides in Rural Areas of Curicó, Chile: A Pilot Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:16608. [PMID: 36554491 PMCID: PMC9779056 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192416608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Significant risks to human health have been associated with chronic exposure to low doses of pesticides, a situation which may be frequent among agricultural workers. In this context, and regarding the agricultural-based economy of central Chile, we aimed to explore the genotoxic damage in agricultural workers and reproductive risk among women in rural and urban areas of Curicó, a traditional agricultural district in Chile. Hence, we sampled a group of rural agricultural workers associated with pesticide management (n = 30) and an urban unexposed group (n = 30). Our results showed that the agricultural workers had higher micronuclei frequencies (MN: β = 13.27; 95% CI low = 11.08, CI high = 15.47) and women had a 40-fold higher risk of reproductive problems (OR = 40.32; 95% CI low = 2.60, CI high = 624.31) than the unexposed group. The factor analysis of mixed data (FAMD) showed that neither the sex nor smoking habits appear to define the ordination of the data. Nevertheless, the exposure level did segregate them in the multidimensional space (explained variance: 35.38% dim-1; 18.63% dim-2). This pilot study highlights the higher risks of biological conditions negatively associated with the health of agricultural workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Landeros
- Centro Oncológico, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Católica del Maule, Talca 3466706, Chile
- Laboratorio de Investigaciones Biomédicas (LIB), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Católica del Maule, Talca 3466706, Chile
| | - Soledad Duk
- Laboratorio de Citogenética y Genética Toxicológica, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción 4070386, Chile
| | - Carolina Márquez
- Laboratorio de Citogenética y Genética Toxicológica, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción 4070386, Chile
| | - Bárbara Inzunza
- Laboratorio de Citogenética y Genética Toxicológica, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción 4070386, Chile
| | - Ian S. Acuña-Rodríguez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Interdisciplinarias (I), Universidad de Talca, Talca 3465548, Chile
| | - Liliana A. Zúñiga-Venegas
- Laboratorio de Investigaciones Biomédicas (LIB), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Católica del Maule, Talca 3466706, Chile
- Centro de Investigación de Estudios Avanzados del Maule (CIEAM), Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca 3466706, Chile
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Melanda VS, Galiciolli MEA, Lima LS, Figueiredo BC, Oliveira CS. Impact of Pesticides on Cancer and Congenital Malformation: A Systematic Review. TOXICS 2022; 10:toxics10110676. [PMID: 36355967 PMCID: PMC9692481 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10110676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Pesticide exposure has deleterious effects on human health and development; however, no review has been conducted on human exposure to pesticides and the risk of congenital malformations and cancer in the same cohort. We systematically reviewed the evidence for this relationship following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. Four databases, namely, PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and BVS, were searched for studies deposited till July 2020 that examined the influence of pesticide exposure on congenital malformations and cancer outcomes in the same cohort. Seven studies were systematically included in this review. Among these, four were case-control studies, two were cross-sectional studies, and one was a longitudinal cohort study. The sources of contamination were food, water, or exposure during agricultural work. A link between the occurrence of cancer, congenital malformations, and exposure to pesticides was observed in most studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviane Serra Melanda
- Instituto de Pesquisa Pelé Pequeno Príncipe, Rua Silva Jardim, 1632, Curitiba 80250-060, PR, Brazil
- Faculdades Pequeno Príncipe, Avenida Iguaçu, 333, Curitiba 80230-020, PR, Brazil
| | - Maria Eduarda A. Galiciolli
- Instituto de Pesquisa Pelé Pequeno Príncipe, Rua Silva Jardim, 1632, Curitiba 80250-060, PR, Brazil
- Faculdades Pequeno Príncipe, Avenida Iguaçu, 333, Curitiba 80230-020, PR, Brazil
| | - Luíza S. Lima
- Instituto de Pesquisa Pelé Pequeno Príncipe, Rua Silva Jardim, 1632, Curitiba 80250-060, PR, Brazil
- Faculdades Pequeno Príncipe, Avenida Iguaçu, 333, Curitiba 80230-020, PR, Brazil
| | - Bonald C. Figueiredo
- Instituto de Pesquisa Pelé Pequeno Príncipe, Rua Silva Jardim, 1632, Curitiba 80250-060, PR, Brazil
- Faculdades Pequeno Príncipe, Avenida Iguaçu, 333, Curitiba 80230-020, PR, Brazil
| | - Cláudia S. Oliveira
- Instituto de Pesquisa Pelé Pequeno Príncipe, Rua Silva Jardim, 1632, Curitiba 80250-060, PR, Brazil
- Faculdades Pequeno Príncipe, Avenida Iguaçu, 333, Curitiba 80230-020, PR, Brazil
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The effect of low doses of chlorpyrifos on blood and bone marrow cells in Wistar rats. Arh Hig Rada Toksikol 2022; 73:223-232. [PMID: 36226822 PMCID: PMC9837532 DOI: 10.2478/aiht-2022-73-3665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the genotoxic potential of low doses of chlorpyrifos (CPF) on blood and bone marrow cells in adult male Wistar rats. CPF was administered by oral gavage at daily doses of 0.010, 0.015, and 0.160 mg/kg of body weight (bw) for 28 consecutive days. Positive control (PC) was administered 300 mg/kg bw/day of ethyl methane sulphonate (EMS) for the final three days of the experiment. Toxic outcomes of exposure were determined with the in vivo micronucleus (MN) assay and alkaline comet assay. The 28-day exposure to the 0.015 mg/kg CPF dose, which was three times higher than the current value of acute reference dose (ARfD), reduced body weight gain in rats the most. The in vivo MN assay showed significant differences in number of reticulocytes per 1000 erythrocytes between PC and negative control (NC) and between all control groups and the groups exposed to 0.015 and 0.160 mg/kg bw/day of CPF. The number of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes per 2000 erythrocytes was significantly higher in the PC than the NC group or group exposed to 0.015 mg/kg bw/day of CPF. CPF treatment did not significantly increase primary DNA damage in bone marrow cells compared to the NC group. However, the damage in bone marrow cells of CPF-exposed rats was much higher than the one recorded in leukocytes, established in the previous research. Both assays proved to be successful for the assessment of CPFinduced genome instability in Wistar rats. However, the exact mechanisms of damage have to be further investigated and confirmed by other, more sensitive methods.
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Zúñiga-Venegas LA, Hyland C, Muñoz-Quezada MT, Quirós-Alcalá L, Butinof M, Buralli R, Cardenas A, Fernandez RA, Foerster C, Gouveia N, Gutiérrez Jara JP, Lucero BA, Muñoz MP, Ramírez-Santana M, Smith AR, Tirado N, van Wendel de Joode B, Calaf GM, Handal AJ, Soares da Silva A, Cortés S, Mora AM. Health Effects of Pesticide Exposure in Latin American and the Caribbean Populations: A Scoping Review. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2022; 130:96002. [PMID: 36173136 PMCID: PMC9521041 DOI: 10.1289/ehp9934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multiple epidemiological studies have shown that exposure to pesticides is associated with adverse health outcomes. However, the literature on pesticide-related health effects in the Latin American and the Caribbean (LAC) region, an area of intensive agricultural and residential pesticide use, is sparse. We conducted a scoping review to describe the current state of research on the health effects of pesticide exposure in LAC populations with the goal of identifying knowledge gaps and research capacity building needs. METHODS We searched PubMed and SciELO for epidemiological studies on pesticide exposure and human health in LAC populations published between January 2007 and December 2021. We identified 233 publications from 16 countries that met our inclusion criteria and grouped them by health outcome (genotoxicity, neurobehavioral outcomes, placental outcomes and teratogenicity, cancer, thyroid function, reproductive outcomes, birth outcomes and child growth, and others). RESULTS Most published studies were conducted in Brazil (37%, n = 88 ) and Mexico (20%, n = 46 ), were cross-sectional in design (72%, n = 167 ), and focused on farmworkers (45%, n = 105 ) or children (21%, n = 48 ). The most frequently studied health effects included genotoxicity (24%, n = 62 ) and neurobehavioral outcomes (21%, n = 54 ), and organophosphate (OP) pesticides were the most frequently examined (26%, n = 81 ). Forty-seven percent (n = 112 ) of the studies relied only on indirect pesticide exposure assessment methods. Exposure to OP pesticides, carbamates, or to multiple pesticide classes was consistently associated with markers of genotoxicity and adverse neurobehavioral outcomes, particularly among children and farmworkers. DISCUSSION Our scoping review provides some evidence that exposure to pesticides may adversely impact the health of LAC populations, but methodological limitations and inconsistencies undermine the strength of the conclusions. It is critical to increase capacity building, integrate research initiatives, and conduct more rigorous epidemiological studies in the region to address these limitations, better inform public health surveillance systems, and maximize the impact of research on public policies. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP9934.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliana A. Zúñiga-Venegas
- Centro de Investigaciones de Estudios Avanzados del Maule, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
| | - Carly Hyland
- Center for Environmental Research and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
- School of Public Health and Population Science, Boise State University, Boise, Idaho, USA
| | - María Teresa Muñoz-Quezada
- Centro de Investigación en Neuropsicología y Neurociencias Cognitivas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
| | - Lesliam Quirós-Alcalá
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Bloomberg School of Public Health, John Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Maryland Institute of Applied Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Mariana Butinof
- Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Rafael Buralli
- Departamento de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Saúde Pública, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Andres Cardenas
- Center for Environmental Research and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Ricardo A. Fernandez
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Católica de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Claudia Foerster
- Instituto de Ciencias de la Agroalimentarias, Animales y Ambientales, Universidad de O’Higgins, San Fernando, Chile
| | - Nelson Gouveia
- Departamento de Medicina Preventiva, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Juan P. Gutiérrez Jara
- Centro de Investigaciones de Estudios Avanzados del Maule, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
| | - Boris A. Lucero
- Centro de Investigación en Neuropsicología y Neurociencias Cognitivas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
| | - María Pía Muñoz
- Escuela de Salud Pública, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Muriel Ramírez-Santana
- Departamento de Salud Pública, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Católica del Norte, Coquimbo, Chile
| | - Anna R. Smith
- Center for Environmental Research and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Noemi Tirado
- Instituto de Genética, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, Louisiana Paz, Bolivia
| | - Berna van Wendel de Joode
- Infants’ Environmental Health Study, Central American Institute for Studies on Toxic Substances, Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica
| | - Gloria M. Calaf
- Instituto de Alta Investigación, Universidad de Tarapacá, Arica, Chile
- Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Alexis J. Handal
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | | | - Sandra Cortés
- Centro Avanzado de Enfermedades Crónicas (ACCDiS), Centro de Desarrollo Urbano Sustentable, Departamento de Salud Pública, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ana M. Mora
- Center for Environmental Research and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
- Infants’ Environmental Health Study, Central American Institute for Studies on Toxic Substances, Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica
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Dos Santos IC, da Silva JT, Rohr P, Lengert AVH, de Lima MA, Kahl VFS, da Silva J, Reis RM, Silveira HCS. Genomic instability evaluation by BMCyt and telomere length in Brazilian family farmers exposed to pesticides. MUTATION RESEARCH. GENETIC TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MUTAGENESIS 2022; 878:503479. [PMID: 35649672 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrgentox.2022.503479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Brazil is one of the largest consumers of pesticides in the world. This high consumption has resulted in higher potential health risk to agricultural farm workers due to occupational exposure. Hence, the aim of this study is to evaluate genomic instability, using Buccal Micronucleus Cytome (BMCyt) and telomere length (TL) measurement as biomarkers of occupational exposure to pesticides in rural workers living in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. Genomic instability was evaluated in 81 pesticide-exposed farm workers (69 males and 12 females) with a mean age of 49.16 ± 10.06 years and a mean time job of 30.00 ± 14.00 years,81 non-exposed individuals (62 males and 15 females) with a mean age of 47.87 ± 10.66 years. BMCyt results showed significantly higher levels of cell damage (micronuclei and binucleated cells) and cell death (karyorrhectic and condensed chromatin cells) in subjects exposed to pesticide when compared to those non-exposed (p < 0.05). Although our results did not show significant differences in TL among exposed and non-exposed groups, effects in TL due to pesticide exposure was found in a multivariable linear regression model when we stratified the groups by age (≤ 49 years and ≥ 50 years old; β = 11.21, p = 0.006). In addition, TL reduction on was identified in relation to an increase in cigarette pack consumption (β = -0.633, p = 0.045). Furthermore, exposure to specific pesticides presented different effects in TL. Cypermethrin exposure resulted in a reduction in TL (β = -18.039, p = 0.018), while abamectin exposure led to an increase in TL (β = 23.990, p = 0.007). Thus, our findings substantiate genomic instability due to pesticides exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Paula Rohr
- Molecular Oncology Research Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Marcos Alves de Lima
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics Nucleus, Barretos Cancer Hospital, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vivian Francilia Silva Kahl
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Faculty of Medicine, Woolloongabba 4102, Queensland, Australia; Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba 4102, Queensland, Australia
| | - Juliana da Silva
- Post-Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology Applied to Health, Lutheran University of Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; Laboratory of Genetic Toxicology, La Salle University (UniLaSalle), Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Rui Manuel Reis
- Molecular Oncology Research Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital, São Paulo, Brazil; Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), Medical School, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
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Pedroso TMA, Benvindo-Souza M, de Araújo Nascimento F, Woch J, Dos Reis FG, de Melo E Silva D. Cancer and occupational exposure to pesticides: a bibliometric study of the past 10 years. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:17464-17475. [PMID: 34668133 PMCID: PMC8525621 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-17031-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
Occupational exposure to pesticides has been identified as a major trigger of the development of cancer. Pesticides can cause intoxication in the individuals who manipulate them through either inhalation, ingestion, or dermal contact. Given this, we investigated the association between the incidence of cancer and occupational exposure to pesticides through a bibliometric analysis of the studies published between 2011 and 2020, based on 62 papers selected from the Scopus database. The results indicated an exponential increase in the number of studies published over the past decade, with most of the research being conducted in the USA, France, India, and Brazil, although a further 17 nations were also involved in the research on the association between cancer and pesticides. The principal classes of pesticides investigated in relation to their role in intoxication and cancer were insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides. The types of cancer reported most frequently were multiple myeloma, bladder cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, prostate cancer, leukemia, and breast cancer. Despite the known association between pesticides and cancer, studies are still relatively scarce in comparison with the global scale of the use of these xenobiotic substances, which is related to the increasing demand for agricultural products throughout the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thays Millena Alves Pedroso
- Graduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Mutagenesis Laboratory, Federal University of Goias, CEP, Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia, Goiânia, Goias, 74690-900, Brazil
| | - Marcelino Benvindo-Souza
- Graduate School, Graduate Program in Environmental Sciences, Federal University of Goias, Goiânia, Goias, Brazil
| | - Felipe de Araújo Nascimento
- Graduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Mutagenesis Laboratory, Federal University of Goias, CEP, Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia, Goiânia, Goias, 74690-900, Brazil
| | - Júlia Woch
- Graduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Mutagenesis Laboratory, Federal University of Goias, CEP, Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia, Goiânia, Goias, 74690-900, Brazil
| | - Fabiana Gonçalves Dos Reis
- Graduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Mutagenesis Laboratory, Federal University of Goias, CEP, Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia, Goiânia, Goias, 74690-900, Brazil
| | - Daniela de Melo E Silva
- Graduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Mutagenesis Laboratory, Federal University of Goias, CEP, Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia, Goiânia, Goias, 74690-900, Brazil.
- Graduate School, Graduate Program in Environmental Sciences, Federal University of Goias, Goiânia, Goias, Brazil.
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Hutter HP, Poteser M, Lemmerer K, Wallner P, Kundi M, Moshammer H, Weitensfelder L. Health Symptoms Related to Pesticide Use in Farmers and Laborers of Ecological and Conventional Banana Plantations in Ecuador. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18031126. [PMID: 33514015 PMCID: PMC7908553 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18031126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Conventional banana farming is pesticide-intensive and leads to high exposure of farmworkers. Ecuador is the world’s biggest exporter of bananas. In this field study in 5 communities in Ecuador, we recorded potentially pesticide-associated subjective health symptoms in farmworkers and compared pesticide users to workers in organic farming. With one exception, symptom rates were always higher in the pesticide-exposed group. Significance was reached in 8 out of 19 investigated symptoms with the highest odds ratios (and smallest p-values) for local irritation like skin and eye irritation (OR = 3.58, CI 1.10–11.71, and 4.10, CI 1.37–12.31, respectively) as well as systemic symptoms like dizziness (OR = 4.80, CI 1.55–14.87) and fatigue (OR = 4.96, CI 1.65–14.88). Moreover, gastrointestinal symptoms were reported more frequently by pesticide users: nausea (OR = 7.5, CI 1.77–31.77) and diarrhea (OR = 6.43, CI 1.06–30.00). The majority of farmworkers were not adequately protected from pesticide exposure. For example, only 3 of 31 farmworkers that had used pesticides recently reported using gloves and only 6 reported using masks during active spraying. Improved safety measures and a reduction in pesticide use are necessary to protect the health of banana farmworkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans-Peter Hutter
- Department of Environmental Health, Center for Public Health, Medical University Vienna, 1090 Wien, Austria; (H.-P.H.); (M.P.); (K.L.); (P.W.); (M.K.); (L.W.)
| | - Michael Poteser
- Department of Environmental Health, Center for Public Health, Medical University Vienna, 1090 Wien, Austria; (H.-P.H.); (M.P.); (K.L.); (P.W.); (M.K.); (L.W.)
| | - Kathrin Lemmerer
- Department of Environmental Health, Center for Public Health, Medical University Vienna, 1090 Wien, Austria; (H.-P.H.); (M.P.); (K.L.); (P.W.); (M.K.); (L.W.)
| | - Peter Wallner
- Department of Environmental Health, Center for Public Health, Medical University Vienna, 1090 Wien, Austria; (H.-P.H.); (M.P.); (K.L.); (P.W.); (M.K.); (L.W.)
| | - Michael Kundi
- Department of Environmental Health, Center for Public Health, Medical University Vienna, 1090 Wien, Austria; (H.-P.H.); (M.P.); (K.L.); (P.W.); (M.K.); (L.W.)
| | - Hanns Moshammer
- Department of Environmental Health, Center for Public Health, Medical University Vienna, 1090 Wien, Austria; (H.-P.H.); (M.P.); (K.L.); (P.W.); (M.K.); (L.W.)
- Department of Hygiene, Medical University of Karakalpakstan, Nukus 230100, Uzbekistan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +43-1-401-603-4935
| | - Lisbeth Weitensfelder
- Department of Environmental Health, Center for Public Health, Medical University Vienna, 1090 Wien, Austria; (H.-P.H.); (M.P.); (K.L.); (P.W.); (M.K.); (L.W.)
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Leonardi S, Poma AM, Colafarina S, D'Aloisio F, Scatigna M, Zarivi O, Mastrantonio R, Tobia L, Fabiani L. Early genotoxic damage through micronucleus test in exfoliated buccal cells and occupational dust exposure in construction workers: a cross-sectional study in L'Aquila, Italy. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2020; 203:110989. [PMID: 32888600 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.110989] [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: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
AIM The city of L'Aquila (central Italy) was hit by a strong earthquake in 2009 that caused the collapse of several buildings, deaths and injured people. In the following years, a great number of building sites were activated, building workers resulted intensely exposed and represent a relevant target for research on environmental mutagenesis and epidemiological surveillance. Cells of buccal mucosa are considered an appropriate site for early detecting of cytogenetic damage, since it represents the first barrier in inhalation or ingestion and can metabolize carcinogenic agents into reactive chemicals. Our study is aimed 1) at comparing the early genotoxic damage as measured by the buccal mucosa micronucleus test in two subgroups of workers defined by different occupational exposure and 2) at evaluating possible confounding variables such as lifestyle factors. METHODS AND RESULTS A cross-sectional study was conducted in L'Aquila, on 24 outdoor workers (OWs) highly exposed on the construction sites and 26 indoor workers (IWs), all subjected to the compulsory occupational surveillance system, in the period 2017-2018. Buccal cells samples were collected and, based on the Micronucleus test, the exfoliated cells were classified in respect of nuclear changes observed. Moreover, a self-report questionnaire composed of 84 items, was administered to the workers. RESULTS Significant differences were observed between Exp+ (OWs) and Exp- (IWs) in the number of the analyzed cells (expressed as mean value out of 1000 cells): respectively 954.46 vs 990.06 normal cells, (p < 0.001); 19.79 vs 4.95 micronucleated cells, as marker of chromosomal damage (p < 0.001); 13.93 vs 8.96 binucleated cells, as marker of failed cytokinesis (p < 0.001); 2.09 vs 1.18 karyolytic cells, as marker of cell death and damaged DNA (p < 0.05). According with a multivariate regression analysis, in addition to the job exposure (OW vs IW, beta = 12.221, p < 0.001), the only variable independently associated with an increase in Micronuclei (MNs) is the smoking habit (OWs vs IWs, beta = 6.683, p < 0.001) which, even if not associated with dust exposure, worsens cell integrity. Moreover, this worsening effect is weaker in workers not exposed to the site dust (moderation effect). Within social demographic factors, the high educational level only apparently seems to affect MNs number: even if unbalanced in favor of IWs vs OWs, this variable resulted a confounder, since its effect disappears when the interaction between these two factors is considered, because it is a covariate of smoking habit as well as of the job condition. CONCLUSION Despite some limitation, our findings clearly confirm the role of occupational exposure as a marker of cytogenetic damage associated with MNs number in construction workers. Moreover, smoking status appears as the only other investigated factor independently associated to the outcome. The statistical model, in addition, highlights possible moderation and confounding effects, such as interaction between smoking and occupational exposure and the unbalanced school education level in workers. Micronucleus test in exfoliated buccal cells would be considered a suitable method for studying the early genotoxic damage in the construction occupational setting as well as in evaluating the efficacy of preventive practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Leonardi
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Anna Mg Poma
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
| | - Sabrina Colafarina
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Francesco D'Aloisio
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Maria Scatigna
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Osvaldo Zarivi
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Riccardo Mastrantonio
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Loreta Tobia
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Leila Fabiani
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
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