Organophosphate pesticide exposure among farm women and children: Status of micronutrients, acetylcholinesterase activity, and oxidative stress.

Nutritional status plays a major role in determining the possible adverse health outcomes due to pesticide toxicity. The objective of the present study was to assess the organophosphorus pesticide residue levels among farm women (FW) (24-45years) and farm children (FC) (9-12 and 13-15years) belonging to the Rangareddy district (Telangana, India) along with their micronutrient status, inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity, and oxidative stress levels. Residues of Chlorpyrifos, Diazinon, Malathion, Monocrotophos and Phosalone were found in the serum samples of FW and FC along with significantly low levels of vitamins and minerals. Inhibition of AChE activity was observed in FW and FC and altered oxidative stress parameters among FW. Correlation studies have found significant associations between the pesticide residues, micronutrients and antioxidant enzymes. The study suggests an association between pesticide exposure coupled with micronutrient deficiency, induced AChE inhibition, and oxidative stress.

Modified QuEChERS extraction method followed by simultaneous quantitation of nine multi-class pesticides in human blood and urine by using GC-MS.

Organophosphate, carbamate and pyrethroid pesticides are the most common insecticides used worldwide. They may cause chronic poisoning in farmers and acute poisoning in homicidal or suicidal cases. The determination of trace levels of these pesticides in human blood and urine is very challenging. This study focuses on a simultaneous quantitation method that was developed and validated for multi-class nine pesticides belonging to organophosphate, carbamate and pyrethroid classes in human blood and urine. Target pesticides were extracted from blood and urine using a modified QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) extraction method. Capillary column DB-35 ms (15 m × 0.25 mm, 0.25 µm) was used for chromatography with a 0.079 ml/min flow rate of carrier gas at constant pressure mode. Quantitation of sulfotep, phorate, carbofuran, chlorpyriphos, profenophos, triazophos, pyriproxyfen, lambda-cyhalothrin and permethrin was performed by mass spectrometer equipped with electron impact ionization source using selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. The lower and upper limits of quantitation for all nine pesticides were 0.01 mg/L and 2.0 mg/dL respectively. The proposed method was proved to be simple, fast, sensitive, and robust. It has been applied to the analysis of 9 pesticides samples.

Salt-assisted acetonitrile extraction and HPLC-QTOF-MS/MS detection for residues of multiple classes of pesticides in human serum samples.

Detecting pesticide residues in human serum is a challenging process. In this study we developed and validated a method for the extraction and recovery of residues of multiple classes of pesticides from serum using one reagent. Salt-assisted acetonitrile extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time of flight tandem mass spectrometry were used to quantitate 34 pesticides classified in nine groups of chemicals in human serum samples, which are frequently detected in food. The recoveries for 33 of analyzed pesticides ranged from 86 to 112% with relative standard deviations below 15%. The limits of quantitation and linearity of 31 of the pesticides were 1 µg/L and >0.990, respectively. The lower limit of quantitation has been reported in the literature particularly for multi-classes pesticide mixtures in human serum. The salt-acetonitrile reagent was allowed to achieve good recoveries and detection limits, which could be attributed to salt altering the solvent polarity, preferentially collecting the organic phase in the solution, and promoting the extraction. The developed method was applied for two organophosphate pesticide metabolites, diethylphosphate and 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol, in serum from rats that were fed a nonlethal quantity of chlorpyrifos. The concentrations of these two were 252.18 ± 15.47 and 0.63 ± 0.23 µg/L, respectively.

Identification of markers of depression and neurotoxicity in pesticide exposed agriculture workers.

Earlier, we reported that chronic exposure to pesticides causes a reduction in the acetylcholinesterase activity and hematological and biochemical alterations in agriculture workers. In continuation with that, the present study aimed to investigate the pesticide-induced neurochemical imbalance and its association with behavior alterations in agricultural workers. A significant increase in depressive symptoms, assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory-II was observed in pesticide exposed workers as compared to the unexposed. A decrease in the level of dopamine in plasma and levels of dopamine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, homovanillic acids, norepinephrine, serotonin, and hydroxyindoleacetic acid in urine was also observed. An increase in the levels of MAO-A and MAO-B has also been observed in these individuals. The decreased levels of neurotransmitters in the blood and urine have been linked with increased levels of MAO and pesticide residues in plasma and urine. Furthermore, these changes were associated with a higher incidence of depression in agricultural workers.

Insecticide toxic effects and blood biochemical alterations in occupationally exposed individuals in Punjab, Pakistan.

Biomonitoring of people exposed to hazardous materials provides opportunities for early identification of several diseases, particularly in those individuals who are constantly exposed to pesticides, such as pesticide operators and workers in pesticide manufacturing industry. However, data on this hot topic are limited in Pakistan. In this study, insecticide toxic effects and biochemical alterations (i.e., damage in DNA and enzyme activity) were studied in blood samples of occupationally exposed individuals from Punjab, Pakistan. Eight out of twenty-seven blood samples (29.6%) of the pesticide operators were found positive in five insecticides, with the maximum concentration found for chlorpyrifos-methyl (0.039 µg/mL). Eleven out of twenty-seven blood samples (40.7%) of the pesticide industry workers were found positive in eight insecticides, with the maximum concentration found for endosulfan (0.051 µg/mL). Comet tail length was 16.88 ±â€¯4.57 µm in pesticide industry workers and 16.33 ±â€¯3.78 µm in pesticide operators, which were significantly higher (P < 0.01) than that recorded in the control group (4.84 ±â€¯2.21 µm). Values of serum cholinesterase (SChE) concentration were slightly lower (P > 0.05) in exposed individuals, whereas values of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) concentration were significantly higher (P < 0.01) in exposed individuals compared with control group. Exposure duration and total insecticide concentration in blood samples were positively associated with comet tail length, ALT activity, AST activity, and ALP activity, but negatively with SChE. DNA damage was higher in smokers vs. non-smokers. Also, a positive association was found between comet tail length and number of cigarettes per day. Overall, occupational exposure to insecticides can pose serious health risks to pesticide operators and workers in pesticide manufacturing industry, highlighting the necessity of personal protection in those groups for preventing exposure and resultant health disorders.

Changes in Detected Anticoagulant Rodenticide Exposure in Barn Owls ( Tyto alba) in Kentucky, USA, in 2012-16.

Anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) are widely used across North America to control rodent infestations but may cause direct mortality or nonlethal effects when secondarily consumed by raptors. Barn Owls ( Tyto alba) are at high risk for secondary consumption because they specialize in rodent prey and often live in human-made structures. We investigated the exposure of Barn Owls in Kentucky, US, to ARs and to dicoumarol, an anticoagulant compound naturally found in certain moldy forages. We tested the liver tissue of 48 Barn Owl carcasses collected during 2012-16. We confirmed exposure to one or more ARs in 33% of the birds examined and detected dicoumarol in 13% of the samples. Rodenticides detected included brodifacoum, coumachlor, and bromadiolone. The prevalence of detected exposure to brodifacoum for after-hatch-year birds (65%) was significantly ( P=0.012) higher than hatch-year birds (22%). Brodifacoum was the most commonly detected AR, found in 88% of AR-positive birds. The pesticide registration for this chemical in the US was canceled in 2015 for general consumer products, which likely resulted in a decreasing rate of detected exposure to brodifacoum during our study. We present these results as an example of secondary exposure rates during a period when a pesticide has been restricted and then removed from the consumer market.

Determination of insecticide residues and their adverse effects on blood profile of occupationally exposed individuals.

Insecticides, essential for crop protection measures, leave behind several toxic residues that can result in a series of human health disorders. Therefore, this study was planned for the determination of residues and adverse effects of insecticides in blood samples of sprayers, pesticide-industry workers and controls by using blood parameters of these individuals as biomarkers. Optimized analytical methods using GC-MS and HPLC for the simultaneous detection of 22 currently used insecticides were adopted. Eight of twenty-seven (22.22%) sprayers' blood samples were found positive for five different insecticides. Eleven of twenty-seven (40.74%) pesticide-industry workers were found positive for eight different insecticides. The blood samples of both the exposed groups, sprayers and industry workers had significantly (P < 0.001; Mann-Whitney U-tests) low hemoglobin-Hb concentrations (12.17 ±â€¯2.13 and 12.22 ±â€¯2.37 g/dl respectively) than the average value of the control group with 14.23 ±â€¯2.37 g/dl. The erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESRs) in sprayers and insecticide industry workers (28.78 ±â€¯20.72 and 28.17 ±â€¯25.14 mm/1st h respectively) were greater significantly (P < 0.001; Mann-Whitney U test) than the control blood samples (9.53 ±â€¯3.34 mm/1st h). These results indicate that the exposed individuals have experienced significant hemotoxic effects during insecticide exposure. The study also predicts the risk to exposed individuals in developing countries like Pakistan and demands realization of safety measures to prevent such dangerous effects of pesticide exposures.

[Simultaneous determination of 21 organophosphrous pesticides in human serum by QuEChERS-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry].

Objective: A method for the simultaneous determination of organophosphrous pesticides inhuman serum was developed. Methods: Using C18 and PSA as absorbent, 21 organophosphrous pesticides including methamidophos, dichlorvos, acephate, Omethoate, demeton and etc. in human serum were determined by combing QuEChERS with GC-MS, organophosphrous pesticides were qualitatedsimultaneously by retention time and characteristic ions. Their contents were determined by internal standard method of quantitative ions. Results: The linear range was from0to 0.60µg/ml with a good correlation coefficients (r ≥ 0.9961) . The LODs of this methodranged from 0.0009 to 0.0111 µg/ml. The average recoveries of3 organophosphrous pesticides (methamidophos、dichlorvos and acephate) ranged from 71.8%~85.3%, The average recoveries of other 18 organophosphrous pesticidesranged from 82.9%~102.9%. The relative standard deviations were0.8%~7.0%. Conclusion: The convenient operation and versatility of this method are suitable forthe fast screening and accurate detection of 21 organophosphrous pesticides in human serum.

Health Risk Assessment of Occupationally Pesticide-Exposed Population of Cancer Prone Area of Punjab.

The alarming health issues especially the unusually high number of cancer cases in agriculture community of Bathinda district of Punjab (India) is a serious concern. There is limited knowledge about the role of gene-environment interactions in oncogenesis prevalent in this area. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of oxidative stress with CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C9, CYP3A4, and PON1 genetic variation in the pesticide-exposed (occupationally) population of Bathinda district of Punjab (India). This study demonstrated significantly elevated relative risk (RR) of lower antioxidant defense mechanism (Glutathione, Catalase, Superoxide Dismutase, Glutathione peroxidases, and Glutathione Reductase) in occupationally pesticide-exposed group (n = 120) as compared with unexposed group (n = 84) from Bathinda district of Punjab (India). Our data shows pesticide exposure to be a major risk factor leading to increased oxidative stress inside the body. Gas chromatographic analysis revealed the residues of organophosphates (chlorpyriphos, dichlorvos, ethoprophos) and herbicides (atrazine, butachlor, alachlor, metolachlor) in the blood samples of the exposed population. In vitro results showed a dose dependent decrease in cell viability following treatment of pesticides detected in blood samples in hPBMCs and A549 cell line. Genetic variation analysis revealed missense mutations in CYP2B6 (2 mutations), CY3A4 (1 mutation), and CYP2C9 (2 mutations). The observed mutations have been predicted to cause structural and conformation change in protein structure which could result in altered stability. In first of its kind of study, our data reveal oxidative stress and pesticide residue accumulation inside the body to be the major reasons for health concerns in Bathinda district.

Background biomonitoring of residue levels of 137 pesticides in the blood plasma of the general population in Beijing.

Due to the widespread use of pesticides, human exposure to pesticides is possible and can potentially cause adverse impacts on public health. We measured 137 pesticides including organophosphorus, organochlorine, pyrethroid and carbamate pesticides together with various herbicides in 100 human blood samples collected from the general population in Beijing. The samples were analysed by triple quadrupole tandem gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. In total, 24 organochlorine pesticides, 5 pyrethroid pesticides and 6 organophosphorus pesticides were detected. The detection rates of HCB, α-HCH, ß-HCH, γ-HCH, p,p'-DDE and quintozene were 99, 96, 74, 72, 96 and 95%, respectively. No statistically significant gender difference in the blood concentrations of the pesticides was found. Consistent with the trend of the increasing ß-HCH, p,p'-DDE and quintozene concentrations with age, a strong positive correlation between the age and concentrations of ß-BHC, p,p'-DDE and quintozene was observed.

Rapid and sensitive determination of formamidines and metabolites with HPLC-MS/MS using core-shell columns.

A number of poisoning and suicide cases involving formamidine pesticides have been reported, thus developing a rapid and low cost determination method is crucial. In this work, a rapid, sensitive and low-cost method for the simultaneous determination of formamidine pesticides (amitraz, chlordimeform, formetanate) and their main metabolites, N-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-N-methyl-formamidine, 2,4-dimethylformamidine, 2,4-dimethylaniline, 4-chloro-2-methylaniline and 3-hydroxyacetanilide in human blood by high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry is developed. The application of columns with core-shell particles significantly reduced the analysis time. Very low LODs (0.01-0.04 µg L-1) were obtained for formamidine pesticides and their metabolites. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of human blood samples from a real forensic case. The significantly reduced analysis time, high sensitivity and low cost are the primary advantages of the developed method. This methodology provides important value for sensitive and rapid determination of residue pesticides and metabolites, study of residue pesticides behavior in human body, as well as application in real forensic cases.

Pesticide genotoxicity in cotton picking women in Pakistan evaluated using comet assay.

To control agricultural pests and meet the increasing food demands, pesticides use has been increased substantially over time. Although pesticides are relatively specific to their targets, they can affect non-target organisms and are hazardous for the population around the application areas particularly to the individuals engaged in different types of agricultural activities. This situation is worse in developing and under-developed countries where personal protective equipment is merely used and regulatory guidelines are hardly practiced. In the present study, DNA damage in women exposed to pesticides while picking cotton with bare hands was assessed using single cell gel electrophoresis assay or comet assay. The presence of pesticides in blood serum of exposed individuals was also analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography. Blood samples were collected from 138 (69 exposed and 69 control) randomly selected females from a major cotton growing area (Bahawalpur District) of the Punjab province of Pakistan. DNA damage, as determined by the mean comet tail length, was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in the exposed group compared to the unexposed. A positive correlation of DNA damage with age and exposure time was also observed. Residues of three pesticides, cyhalothrin, endosulfan, and deltamethrin found significantly higher (p < 0.001) in the serum samples of the exposed group compared to the unexposed. It was observed that the groups with higher mean comet tail length also had a higher concentration of pesticides in their serum samples indicating a positive association of DNA damage and pesticide exposure. The present study suggests that exposure to pesticides leads to DNA damage.

Simultaneous determination of multiclass pesticide residues in human plasma using a mini QuEChERS method.

Blood is one of the most assessable matrices for the determination of pesticide residue exposure in humans. Effective sample preparation/cleanup of biological samples is very important in the development of a sensitive, reproducible, and robust method. In the present study, a simple, cost-effective, and rapid gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method has been developed and validated for simultaneous analysis of 31 multiclass (organophosphates, organochlorines, and synthetic pyrethroids) pesticide residues in human plasma by means of a mini QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe) method. We have adopted a modified version of the QuEChERS method, which is primarily used for pesticide residue analysis in food commodities. The QuEChERS method was optimized by use of different extraction solvents and different amounts and combinations of salts and sorbents (primary-secondary amines and C18) for the dispersive solid-phase extraction step. The results show that a combination of ethyl acetate with 2% acetic acid, magnesium sulfate (0.4 g), and solid-phase extraction for sample cleanup with primary-secondary amines (50 mg) per 1-mL volume of plasma is the most suitable for generating acceptable results with high recoveries for all multiclass pesticides from human plasma. The mean recovery ranged from 74% to 109% for all the analytes. The limit of quantification and limit of detection of the method ranged from 0.12 to 13.53 ng mL-1 and from 0.04 to 4.10 ng mL-1 respectively. The intraday precision and the interday precision of the method were 6% or less and 11% or less respectively. This method would be useful for the analysis of a wide range of pesticides of interest in a small volume of clinical and/or forensic samples to support biomonitoring and toxicological applications. Graphical Abstract Pesticide residues analysis in human plasma using mini QuEChERS method.

Pesticide exposure in the local community of Vehari District in Pakistan: An assessment of knowledge and residues in human blood.

The present study is based on cross-sectional data collected from rural and market areas of Vehari District in Pakistan to assess public awareness of pesticide risks and determine the levels of exposure to organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the local community. Blood samples were collected from 56 volunteer donors (VDs) including children, female workers, farm workers involved in pesticide business, farm workers involved in pesticide spraying activities, and people who were living away from agricultural fields. Blood analysis showed that VDs who were involved in spraying activities had significantly higher levels of OCP residues in their blood samples than VDs from the other groups, with mean concentrations of 1.13, 0.92, 0.68 and 1.96ngmL-1 for pp-DDT, aldrin, dieldrin, and endosulfan, respectively. However, VDs who were living away from agricultural fields had significantly lower levels of pesticide residues in their blood samples, with mean concentrations of 0.30, 0.19, 0.14 and 0.41ngmL-1 for pp-DDT, aldrin, dieldrin, and endosulfan, respectively. A survey of 179 volunteer respondents (VRs) showed that a significant proportion of the VRs had little knowledge of using the recommended amounts of pesticides (65.9%). Furthermore, the majority of the VRs was found using limited protective measures during pesticide use (62.6%) and was practising unsafe storage of pesticides (87.7%). In addition, most farm workers (88.8%) reported an increasing trend in pesticide use in their farms each year. Knowledge of pesticide risks on human health increased with formal education and training. Poor knowledge regarding pesticide risks and handling among inhabitants of Vehari District contribute to high exposure levels to OCPs, particularly among farm workers. Findings are useful for policy formulation aimed at reduction of pesticide exposure in Pakistan.

Monitoring of organochlorine pesticides in blood of women with uterine cervix cancer.

In Yucatan, Mexico, chronic exposure of Mayan population to pesticides is expected as about 30 per cent are drinking polluted water. Residues of organochlorine pesticides (OCP) were monitored in 18 municipalities of Yucatan with high mortality rates due to uterine cervix cancer. 70 blood samples collected from Mayan women living in livestock, agricultural and metropolitan area were analyzed for OCP. Solid Phase Extraction was performed on C18 cartridges and analyzed by Gas Chromatography with Electron Capture Detector. The results showed that the highest OCP levels were detected in blood of women living in the livestock area. OCP detected were endosulfan I (7.35 µg/mL), aldrin (3.69 µg/mL), 4,4' DDD (2.33 µg/mL), 1.39 and 1.46 µg/mL of δ-HCH. Women from the agricultural area had high concentrations of OCP in their blood, particularly dieldrin (1.19 µg/mL), and 1.26 µg/mL of 4,4' DDE. In the metropolitan area, 0.080 µg/mL of γ-HCH and 0.064 µg/mL of heptachlore were detected. This monitoring study was also based on epidemiological data of uterine cervical cancer. It was found that environmental factors may have facilitated the infiltration of OCP to the aquifer used for potable water supply. These factors in addition to poverty can have impacts on public health. This first exploratory study suggests that monitoring of OCP in human is important for the establishment of health promotion programs. The integrative analysis of both, environmental and social factors would be helpful to characterize the bioaccumulation of pesticides in humans.

Low-Chlorinated Non-Dioxin-like Polychlorinated Biphenyls Present in Blood and Breast Milk Induce Higher Levels of Reactive Oxygen Species in Neutrophil Granulocytes than High-Chlorinated Congeners.

Despite their ban several decades ago, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) still pose a health threat to human beings due to their persistent and accumulative nature and continued presence in the environment. Non-dioxin-like (NDL)-PCBs have earlier been found to have effects on the immune system, including human neutrophil granulocytes. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences between ortho-chlorinated NDL-PCBs with a low or high degree of chlorination in their capability to induce the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human neutrophil granulocytes in vitro. We used some of the congeners occurring at the highest levels in blood, breast milk and food: PCB 52 representing the low-chlorinated congeners and PCB 180 the high-chlorinated congeners. In addition, the extensively studied PCB 153 was included as a reference compound. ROS production was assessed with the luminol-amplified chemiluminescence and DCF fluorescence assays. The involvement of intracellular signalling mechanisms was investigated using different pharmacological substances. At high concentrations (10-20 µM), PCB 52 induced more ROS than PCB 153 and PCB 180. The role of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 and/or ERK 5 signalling in PCB-induced ROS production was implicated through the reduction in ROS in the presence of the specific inhibitor U0126, whereas reduced ROS production after the use of SB203580 and SP600125 indicated the involvement of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and c-Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK) pathways, respectively. In addition, the calcineurin inhibitor FK-506, the intracellular calcium chelator BAPTA-AM and the antioxidant vitamin E reduced the levels of ROS. The intracellular signalling mechanisms involved in ROS production in human neutrophil granulocytes appeared to be similar for PCB 52, PCB 153 and PCB 180. Based on the results from the present and previous studies, we conclude that for abundant ortho-chlorinated PCBs found in the blood, low-chlorinated congeners induce higher production of ROS in neutrophil granulocytes than high-chlorinated congeners. This could be relevant during acute exposure scenarios when high concentrations of PCBs are present.

In utero exposure of neonatal buffalo calves to pesticide residues and the alterations within their reproductive tract.

In utero exposure of neonates to pesticide residues could be damaging to the reproductive tract. Hence, the present study assessed the circulating concentrations of pesticide residues in buffalo and their neonatal calves as well as in the reproductive tract tissue samples of same calves. Also, histopathological alterations were revealed in the reproductive tract of calves. Pesticide residues were high (P<0.05) in the reproductive tract of calves (119.5 ± 20.2 ng/g, 35% positive) in comparison to their blood (32.1 ± 8.4 ng/ml, 15% positive) or blood of their dams (41.5 ± 8.3 ng/ml, 25% positive). The number of histopathological alterations were high (P<0.05) in the reproductive tract of a calf contaminated with high concentrations of pesticide residues (3.43 ± 1.29) in comparison to a tract positive for low residue concentrations (1.57 ± 0.60) or pesticide negative tract (0.28 ± 0.10). In conclusion, in utero exposure of neonatal buffalo calves to pesticide residues may be associated with damaging alterations in their reproductive tract.

Undisturbed dust as a metric of long-term indoor insecticide exposure: Residential DDT contamination from indoor residual spraying and its association with serum levels in the VHEMBE cohort.

Although approximately 123 million people may be exposed to high levels of insecticides through the use of indoor residual spraying (IRS) for malaria control, few studies exist on indoor insecticide contamination due to IRS and its relationship with human exposure. In the present study, we developed a sampling method to collect undisturbed dust from 50 homes in Limpopo, South Africa, a region where dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) has been used in IRS programs to prevent malaria for ~70years. We quantified DDT and its degradation products, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (DDD) in dust samples to determine dust loading levels and compared these levels to paired serum concentrations of p,p'-DDT and p,p'-DDE in women residents. p,p'-DDT and p,p'-DDE had the highest detection frequencies in both dust (58% and 34% detection, respectively) and serum samples (98% and 100% detection, respectively). Significantly higher detection frequencies for o,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDE, and p,p'-DDD were observed in dust samples collected in buildings that had been previously sprayed for malaria control. We also observed a significant, positive association between dust loading and serum concentrations of p,p'-DDT and p,p'-DDE (Spearman's rho=0.68 and 0.54, respectively). Despite the low detection frequency in dust, our results indicate that undisturbed dust may be a good metric to quantify long-term home exposure to DDT-related compounds and that contamination of the home environment may be an important determinant/source of DDT and DDE exposure.

Tea consumption in pregnancy as a predictor of pesticide exposure and adverse birth outcomes: The MIREC Study.

INTRODUCTION: Pesticide residues in tea may contribute to exposure during pregnancy; however, the impact on maternal and infant health is not well understood. The aim of this study was to determine whether tea intake in the first trimester was associated with elevated concentrations of various pesticides in maternal blood or urine. Further, we examined the relationship between tea consumption and adverse birth outcomes. METHODS: Data from the Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals (MIREC) Study, a pan-Canada pregnancy cohort, were used. All singleton, live births (n=1898) with available biomarkers were included in the analyses. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the population. The geometric means (GM) of organochlorine (OC) pesticide constituents or metabolites in maternal plasma (lipid adjusted) and organophosphate (OP) pesticide metabolites (adjusted for specific gravity) in maternal urine were calculated for participants who drank regular, green or herbal tea in the first trimester and for those who did not. Differences between groups were examined using chi-square or t-tests. Associations between frequency of drinking tea and adverse birth outcomes were examined using logistic regression (preterm birth and small-for-gestational-age) or generalized linear models (birthweight decile and head circumference). RESULTS: The GM of the OC pesticide constituent trans-nonachlor was 2.74 mg/g lipid, and for metabolites oxychlordane and p,p'-DDE this was 1.94 ng/g lipid and 55.8 ng/g lipid, respectively. OP pesticide metabolite concentrations adjusted for specific gravity, were dimethylphosphate (GM: 3.19 µg/L), dimethylthiophosphate (GM: 3.29 µg/L), dimethyldithiophosphate (GM: 0.48 µg/L), diethlphosphate (GM: 2.46), and diethylthiophosphate (GM: 0.67 µg/L). There was no significant difference in mean concentrations for these OC or OP pesticide constituents or metabolites between tea drinkers - of any type - and non-tea drinkers. Further, no association was found between tea intake and adverse birth outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Pesticide concentrations did not differ by tea intake. Further, tea intake in the first trimester was not associated with adverse birth outcomes. In this study population, there was no evidence for concern about tea intake being a source of the OP or OC pesticide metabolites measured or adversely affecting birth outcomes; however, tea intake was lower than national Canadian data for women of reproductive age.

Hematological and hepatic alterations in Brazilian population heavily exposed to organochlorine pesticides.

The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of hematological and hepatic alterations and possible association with serum levels of beta-hexachlorocyclohexane (beta-HCH), p,p'-DDE, and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) among residents in an area heavily contaminated with organochlorine (OC) pesticides. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 415 male and 432 female residents aged >14 years. Serum samples were collected and analyzed for OC pesticides concentrations and biochemical parameters. Frequencies of hematological and hepatic alterations were calculated for each gender. Association between beta-HCH, p,p'-DDE (1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethylene), and HCB levels and presence of alterations was determined by logistic regression stratified by gender and controlling for confounders. Highest frequencies were observed for eosinophilia (23% men and 18% women), low hemoglobin (12% men and 15% women), and low erythrocyte count (12% men). High levels of bilirubin, glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT) were observed, respectively, in 10, 11, and 12% of men and <10% of women. Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) was elevated in 26 and 25% of males and females, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed associations between eosinophilia and beta-HCH in men (OR = 1.06, 95%CI = 1.01-1.12) and women (OR = 1.05, 96%CI = 0.99-1.11), p,p'-DDE in men (OR = 1.03, 95%CI = 0.99-1.06) and women (OR = 1.02, 95%CI = 0.99-1.06), and HCB in women (OR = 1.54, 95%IC = 0.85-4.45). Beta-HCH was found to be associated with increased risk of elevated bilirubin in females (OR = 1.18, 95%CI = 1.07-1.29) and males (OR = 4.21, 95%CI = 1.87-9.47 for fourth vs. first quintile). Thus, OC pesticides may exert adverse effects on hematopoietic tissue and liver in populations chronically exposed to high levels of these compounds.