The term organophosphate (OP) refers to a diverse group of chemicals that are found in hundreds of products worldwide. As pesticides, their most common use, OPs are clearly beneficial for ...agricultural productivity and the control of deadly vector-borne illnesses. However, as a consequence of their widespread use, OPs are now among the most common synthetic chemicals detected in the environment as well as in animal and human tissues. This is an increasing environmental concern because many OPs are highly toxic and both accidental and intentional exposures to OPs resulting in deleterious health effects have been documented for decades. Some of these deleterious health effects include a variety of long-term neurological and psychiatric disturbances including impairments in attention, memory, and other domains of cognition. Moreover, some chronic illnesses that manifest these symptoms such as Gulf War Illness and Aerotoxic Syndrome have (at least in part) been attributed to OP exposure. In addition to acute acetylcholinesterase inhibition, OPs may affect a number of additional targets that lead to oxidative stress, axonal transport deficits, neuroinflammation, and autoimmunity. Some of these targets could be exploited for therapeutic purposes. The purpose of this review is thus to: 1) describe the important uses of organophosphate (OP)-based compounds worldwide, 2) provide an overview of the various risks and toxicology associated with OP exposure, particularly long-term neurologic and psychiatric symptoms, 3) discuss mechanisms of OP toxicity beyond cholinesterase inhibition, 4) review potential therapeutic strategies to reverse the acute toxicity and long term deleterious effects of OPs.
Although epidemiological studies have investigated associations between occupational pesticide exposures and different adverse health outcomes, they have rarely assessed individuals at two ...time-points of a same crop season with different pesticide use.
Clinical symptoms, physical examination signs, hematological and clinical chemistry parameters were measured in 189 intensive agriculture workers and 91 healthy control subjects from Almeria coastline (Southeastern Spain) to evaluate potential effects of pesticide exposure.
Greenhouse workers showed an increased risk of ocular and skin signs relative to controls at the period of high pesticide exposure (OR: 4.80 and 2.87, respectively); however, no differences were observed for clinical symptoms. A greater risk for ECG changes (OR: 3.35) and altered spirometry (OR: 5.02) was found at the period of low exposure. Erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase was significantly decreased in greenhouse workers relative to controls in both periods. Assessment of hematological parameters revealed increased counts of erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets and hemoglobin in greenhouse workers relative to controls, and also in the period of high versus low pesticide exposure. Changes in clinical chemistry parameters included decreased levels of glucose, creatinine, total cholesterol, triglyceride and alkaline phosphatase in greenhouse workers relative to controls; however, these parameters were raised in the period of high versus low pesticide exposure.
These findings suggest that chronic occupational exposure to pesticides of lower toxicity than former compounds under integrated production systems elicit mild toxic effects, particularly targeting the skin and eyes, as well as subtle subclinical (biochemical) changes of unknown long-term consequences.
BackgroundAgricultural work can expose workers to increased risk of heat strain and volume depletion due to repeated exposures to high ambient temperatures, arduous physical exertion and limited ...rehydration. These risk factors may result in acute kidney injury (AKI).MethodsWe estimated AKI cumulative incidence in a convenience sample of 283 agricultural workers based on elevations of serum creatinine between preshift and postshift blood samples. Heat strain was assessed based on changes in core body temperature and heart rate. Volume depletion was assessed using changes in body mass over the work shift. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the associations of AKI with traditional risk factors (age, diabetes, hypertension and history of kidney disease) as well as with occupational risk factors (years in farm work, method of payment and farm task).Results35 participants were characterised with incident AKI over the course of a work shift (12.3%). Workers who experienced heat strain had increased adjusted odds of AKI (1.34, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.74). Piece rate work was associated with 4.24 odds of AKI (95% CI 1.56 to 11.52). Females paid by the piece had 102.81 adjusted odds of AKI (95% CI 7.32 to 1443.20).DiscussionHeat strain and piece rate work are associated with incident AKI after a single shift of agricultural work, though gender differences exist. Modifications to payment structures may help prevent AKI.
Nanotechnology has the potential to make a beneficial impact on several agricultural, forestry, and environmental challenges, such as urbanization, energy constraints, and sustainable use of ...resources. However, new environmental and human health hazards may emerge from nano-enhanced applications. This raises concerns for agricultural workers who may become primarily exposed to such xenobiotics during their job tasks. The aim of this review is to discuss promising solutions that nanotechnology may provide in agricultural activities, with a specific focus on critical aspects, challenging issues, and research needs for occupational risk assessment and management in this emerging field. Eco-toxicological aspects were not the focus of the review. Nano-fertilizers, (nano-sized nutrients, nano-coated fertilizers, or engineered metal-oxide or carbon-based nanomaterials per se), and nano-pesticides, (nano-formulations of traditional active ingredients or inorganic nanomaterials), may provide a targeted/controlled release of agrochemicals, aimed to obtain their fullest biological efficacy without over-dosage. Nano-sensors and nano-remediation methods may detect and remove environmental contaminants. However, limited knowledge concerning nanomaterial biosafety, adverse effects, fate, and acquired biological reactivity once dispersed into the environment, requires further scientific efforts to assess possible nano-agricultural risks. In this perspective, toxicological research should be aimed to define nanomaterial hazards and levels of exposure along the life-cycle of nano-enabled products, and to assess those physico-chemical features affecting nanomaterial toxicity, possible interactions with agro-system co-formulants, and stressors. Overall, this review highlights the importance to define adequate risk management strategies for workers, occupational safety practices and policies, as well as to develop a responsible regulatory consensus on nanotechnology in agriculture.
•Nanotechnology can help precision farming and sustainable agriculture development.•Nano-innovations for agriculture may impact human and environmental health.•Workers exposed to nanomaterials may face emerging occupational risks.•Toxicology should assess the nanomaterial impact on agrosystems and human beings.•Toxicological research may guide effective risk assessment and management processes.
Mesoamerican nephropathy is a devastating disease of unknown etiology that affects mostly young agricultural workers in Central America. An understanding of the mechanism of injury and the early ...disease process is urgently needed and will aid in identification of the underlying cause and direct treatment and prevention efforts. We sought to describe the renal pathology in Mesoamerican nephropathy at its earliest clinical appearance in prospectively identified acute case patients in Nicaragua. We considered those with elevated (or increased at least 0.3 mg/dL or 1.5-fold from baseline) serum creatinine, leukocyturia, and either leukocytosis or neutrophilia for inclusion in this biopsy study. Renal tissue was obtained by ultrasound-guided biopsy for examination by light, immunofluorescence, and electron microscopy. All 11 individuals who underwent renal biopsy showed tubulointerstitial nephritis, with varying degrees of inflammation and chronicity. Interstitial cellular infiltrates (predominantly T lymphocytes and monocytes), mostly in the corticomedullary junction; neutrophilic accumulation in the tubular lumens; largely preserved glomeruli; few mild ischemic changes; and no immune deposits were noted. The acute components of tubulointerstitial nephritis were acute tubular cell injury, interstitial edema, and early fibrosis. Chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis included severe tubular atrophy, thickened tubular basement membrane, and interstitial fibrosis. Thus, renal histopathology in Mesoamerican nephropathy reveals primary interstitial disease with intact glomeruli.
Objective
We studied the relation between Parkinson disease (PD) and professional exposure to pesticides in a community‐based case‐control study conducted in a population characterized by a high ...prevalence of exposure. Our objective was to investigate the role of specific pesticide families and to perform dose‐effect analyses.
Methods
PD cases (n = 224) from the Mutualité Sociale Agricole (France) were matched to 557 controls free of PD affiliated with the same health insurance. Pesticide exposure was assessed using a 2‐phase procedure, including a case‐by‐case expert evaluation. Analyses of the relation between PD and professional exposure to pesticides were first performed overall and by broad category (insecticides, fungicides, herbicides). Analyses of 29 pesticide families defined based on a chemical classification were restricted to men. Multiple imputation was used to impute missing values of pesticide families. Data were analyzed using conditional logistic regression, both using a complete‐case and an imputed dataset.
Results
We found a positive association between PD and overall professional pesticide use (odds ratio OR = 1.8, 95% confidence interval CI = 1.1–3.1), with a dose‐effect relation for the number of years of use (p = 0.01). In men, insecticides were associated with PD (OR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.1–4.3), in particular organochlorine insecticides (OR = 2.4, 95% CI = 1.2–5.0). These associations were stronger in men with older onset PD than in those with younger onset PD, and were characterized by a dose‐effect relation in the former group.
Interpretation
Our results support an association between PD and professional pesticide exposure, and show that some pesticides (ie, organochlorine insecticides) may be more particularly involved. Ann Neurol 2009;66:494–504
There is a relationship between pesticide exposure and farmworkers' health. Well-conducted evaluations can provide an insight into how to develop and implement more effective interventions to prevent ...farmers and farmworkers' exposure to pesticides. This review aimed to summarize the literature on the effectiveness of interventions to promote pesticide safety and reduce pesticide exposure among farmers and farmworkers.
A comprehensive search on PubMed, Embase, ISI Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, Agricola, NIOSHTIC, and Agris databases was performed to identify relevant studies published from 2000 to 2019. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental studies assessing the effectiveness of interventions on a variety of outcomes related to pesticide exposure were considered. The searches were restricted to articles written in English. The methodological quality of included reviews was appraised using the Effective Public Health Practice Project quality assessment tool (EPHPP).
The initial search led to 47912 records, 31 studies of which including nine RCTs and twenty-two quasi-experimental studies met the criteria. The majority of the included studies focused on the educational/ behavioral approach. The studies that applied this approach were effective in improving the participants' knowledge and attitude; however, these interventions were less effective in terms of making changes in participants' behaviors and their risk of exposure to toxic pesticides. Multifaceted interventions were moderately effective in terms of improving farmers' and farmworkers' behaviors and reduction in exposure to toxic pesticides. We did not find any studies that had evaluated the effectiveness of engineering/technological, and legislation/enforcement interventions.
Although the majority of studies were based on an educational/behavioral approach and did not assess the effect of interventions on objective measures, the results of this review highlight the significant effectiveness of educational programs and some potential key elements of these interventions. These findings may inform policymakers to develop interventions to reduce pesticide exposure among farmers and farmworkers.
Background Symptoms of occupational heat illness provide an early warning that workers are in potentially life-threatening environmental conditions. Purpose This analysis was designed to assess the ...extent to which strategies to reduce the health impact of extreme heat were associated with the prevalence of heat illness among Latino farm workers. Methods Between June and September 2009, a total of 300 Latino men and women participated in a cross-sectional survey about farm worker health. Participants reported whether they were employed through the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program and whether they had ever worked in conditions of extreme heat during their work in the U.S. agricultural industry. Workers who had worked in extreme heat also responded to questions about selected activities and behaviors and whether they experienced symptoms of heat illness. Data analysis was conducted in 2009 to assess associations of altering work hours and activities, drinking more water, resting in shaded areas, and going to air-conditioned places during or after work, with the prevalence of symptoms of heat illness among H-2A and non–H-2A workers. Results Working in extreme heat was reported by 281 respondents (94%), among whom 112 (40%) reported symptoms of heat illness. Changes in work hours and activities during hot conditions were associated with a lower prevalence of heat illness among H-2A workers but not among non–H-2A workers. Conclusions These findings suggest the need to improve the understanding of working conditions for farm workers and to assess strategies to reduce agricultural workers' environmental heat exposure.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between pesticide exposure and depression.
A cross-sectional study was performed in a study population of 252 Greek male farmers using the ...Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale. Cumulative pesticide exposure was categorized in three mutually exclusive groups related to lifetime pesticide use: low (<275 days, the reference group), intermediate (276 to 1200 days), and high (>1200 days). Acute pesticide exposure was categorized in pesticide poisoning events and high pesticide exposure events. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed, and odds ratios, 95% confidence intervals, and P values were presented.
After adjusting for confounding factors, a positive significant association was found between both high-exposure group and high pesticide exposure events and depressive symptoms.
Apart from acute, high cumulative pesticide exposure may as well contribute to the development of depression.
PDF
