Agricultural pesticide residues in water from a karstic aquifer in Yucatan, Mexico, pose a risk to children's health

Yucatan is a region with a high impact of water contamination since it has a karst type soil favoring contaminants entry into the phreatic level, the only source of freshwater in the area. However, no studies report pesticides in water for human consumption or the risk it represents. The objective of this study was to detect and measure pesticide concentrations in domestic tap water to estimate the risk (carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic) to health. A non-probabilistic sampling was applied of 48 tap water sources, and then pesticide detection with solid-phase extraction gas chromatography coupled to the electron capture and flame photometric detectors allowed the estimation of risk through hazard ratios. The present results suggest that aldrin, heptachlor, and β-BHC residues in domestic tap water from Ticul, Yucatan, pose a risk to children's health, particularly for potential carcinogenic risks.

Environmental Risks and Children's Health in a Mayan Community from Southeast of Mexico

BACKGROUND

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 25% of global morbidity and one-third of childhood morbidity may be attributable to environment. Low and high-income countries displayed different environmental risks. Mexico demonstrates the necessity for creating a national environmental health program. In southeastern Mexico, Tixméhuac, is a Mayan community with a high marginalization degree and social backwardness. The main childhood morbidities are acute and chronic diseases.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to recognize environmental risks for children's health in Tixméhauc, Yucatan State.

METHODS

A total of one hundred children under five years old participated. To identify the environmental risks at home, items from the Green Sheet Guidance (WHO), Salamanca General Survey and Environmental Clinical History were used. To know the prevalence of respiratory diseases and asthma, the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Children (ISAAC) survey was used. Potentially hazardous sites were identified partially using the Methodology for Identification and Evaluation of Health Hazards in Contaminated Sites from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

FINDINGS

The low stature of, malnutrition, presence of wheezing and asthma symptoms in children were higher than expected. The suspected cases of parasitosis and vector-borne disease occurred in 50% of the children. Indoor air quality perception was associated with respiratory pathology history; housing quality was related to suspected cases of vector-borne diseases; drinking water quality was linked to suspected cases of parasitosis. Risk areas in the community include agricultural activity, which has led to deposits of empty containers of agrochemicals and electronic waste among solid waste dump.

CONCLUSION

This study presents observed environmental risks to children in a low development country and in developing countries. The community has a low perception of the environmental risk. The need for public health programs reducing risks to children's environmental health is imperative.