A state-of-the-science review of analytical methods for urinary dialkylphosphate metabolites in the assessment of exposure to organophosphate pesticides: From 2000 to 2022.

The general population and workers are exposed to organophosphate insecticides, one of the leading chemical classes of pesticides used in rural and urban areas. This paper aims to conduct an integrative review of the most used analytical methods for identifying and quantifying dialkylphosphate-which are metabolites of organophosphate insecticides-in the urine of exposed workers, discussing their advantages, limitations and applicability. Searches utilized the PubMed, the Scientific Electronic Library Online and the Brazilian Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations databases between 2000 and 2021. Twenty-five studies were selected. The extraction methods most used were liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) (36%) and solid-phase extraction (SPE) (36%), with the SPE being more economical in terms of time and amount of solvents needed, and presenting the best percentage of recovery of analytes, when compared with LLE. Nineteen studies (76%) used the gas chromatography method of separation, and among these, 12 records (63%) indicated mass spectrometry used as a detection technology (analyzer). Studies demonstrate that dialkylphosphates are sensitive and representative exposure biomarkers for environmental and occupational organophosphate exposure.

Urinary dialkylphosphate metabolites in the assessment of exposure to organophosphate pesticides: from 2000 to 2022.

The general population and workers are exposed to organophosphate insecticides, one of the leading chemical classes of pesticides used in rural and urban areas, in the control of arboviruses and agriculture. These pesticides cause environmental/occupational exposure and associated risks to human and environmental health. The objective of this study was to carry out an integrative review of epidemiological studies that identified and quantified dialkylphosphate metabolites in the urine of exposed populations, focusing on the vector control workers, discussing the application and the results found. Searches utilized the Pubmed, Scielo, and the Brazilian Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (BDTD) databases between 2000 and 2021. From the 194 selected studies, 75 (39%) were with children/adolescents, 48 (24%) with rural workers, 36 (19%) with the general population, 27 (14%) with pregnant women, and 9 (4%) with vector control workers. The total dialkylphosphate concentrations found in the occupationally exposed population were higher than in the general population. Studies demonstrate that dialkylphosphates are sensitive and representative exposure biomarkers for environmental and occupational organophosphate exposure. The work revealed a lack of studies with vector control workers and a lack of studies in developing countries.

Persistent organic pollutants in hospitalized individuals in the municipality of Petropolis, Brazil.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are highly lipophilic and can accumulate and biomagnify in food chains. Characterized as a public health problem, exposure to these compounds enables the development of diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity. The objective of this study was to estimate the plasma levels of organochlorine pesticides and PCBs in 151 samples (97 women; 54 men) in hospitalized individuals in Petropolis, Brazil. Individuals over 18 years of age and residing for at least 2 years in the mountainous region of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, participated in a cross-sectional study. Interviews using a structured questionnaire and blood samples to estimate plasma levels of persistent organic pollutants provided data. Gas chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry provided the levels of organochlorine pesticides and PCBs. Compared to data present in the literature, the concentration of POPs was lower, and individuals from 55 to 64 years of age (3.28 ng mL-1) and women (2.52 ng mL-1) presented a higher average concentration of organochlorine pesticides; men (0.05 ng mL-1) also presented a high concentration of PCBs. This is the first Brazilian study to estimate the concentration of several POPs in a hospital-based sample that includes men and women, thus contributing to the characterization of our population regarding environmental exposures relevant to health.

Exposure of pregnant women and their children to pyrethroid insecticides in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Background: Pyrethroids are commonly used insecticides in Brazil. Gestational and early childhood exposure to pyrethroids has been linked to adverse health effects, including neurodevelopmental delays, behavioral issues, and endocrine disruption. This study evaluated the exposure of pregnant women and their children to pyrethroid insecticides in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Methods: Creatinine-adjusted levels of the pyrethroid metabolites 3-phenoxy benzoic acid (3-PBA) and 4-fluoro-3-phenoxybenzyl acid (4-FPBA) were measured in the urine of 142 pregnant women and their children at birth and in the first, third, and 6th months of life. Results: The geometric mean (GM) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of 3-PBA and 4-FPBA urinary concentrations in pregnant women were 0.50 (0.37-0.67) and 0.37 (0.05-2.90) ng/mg, detected in 47.2 and 10.6%, respectively. Urinary concentrations of 3-PBA in the children were 0.18 (0.15-0.23) ng/mg at birth, 0.36 (0.08-1.56) ng/mg at 1-month-old, 0.68 (0.36-1.27) ng/mg at 3-month-old, and 1.36 (0.77-2.42) ng/mg at 6-month-old, and the detection rates were respectively 10.8, 9.4, 20.9, and 20.7%. Discussion: This study is one of the few that has evaluated the urinary concentrations of pyrethroids in newborns and children in their 1st year of life. The results of this study show that children's exposure to pyrethroids significantly increases after birth.

Persistent Organic Pollutant Levels in Maternal and Cord Blood Plasma and Breast Milk: Results from the Rio Birth Cohort Pilot Study of Environmental Exposure and Childhood Development (PIPA Study).

Levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and organochlorine pesticides (OCP) were evaluated in the breast milk and maternal and umbilical cord blood of pregnant women and their newborns in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The concentration of 11 PCB and 17 OCP were measured in 135 samples of maternal, and 116 samples of cord blood plasma, as well as 40, 47, and 45 samples of breast milk at 1st, 3rd, and 6th months after birth, respectively, using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS-MS). Women were asked to answer an enrollment questionnaire with reproductive, lifestyle, residential and sociodemographic questions. The most commonly detected OCPs and PCBs in the maternal and cord blood were 4,4'-DDE; ß-HCH; É£-HCH; and PCB 28. 4,4'-DDE was also the most commonly detected OCP in breast milk samples. Although not statistically significant, ∑DDT levels were higher among women with pregestational BMI ≥ 30, and who were non-white and older (age > 40). Newborns with an Apgar score ≤ 8 at minute 5 of life showed significantly higher levels of ∑DDT in the cord blood. Persistent OCPs and PCBs were still detected in maternal and umbilical cord blood and breast milk, even after decades of their banishment in Brazil. They may pose a risk to maternal, fetal and children's health.

[Assessment of exposure to BTEX in vehicle filling stations in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and risks to workers' health]. / Avaliação da exposição a BTEX em postos de revenda de combustíveis no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, e os riscos à saúde do trabalhador.

Gasoline is a complex mixture of substances, including aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX). These compounds are emitted into the air, with the special relevance of benzene since it is provenly carcinogenic. The study aimed to assess BTEX concentrations in filling stations in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and to calculate the cancer risk associated with such exposures. Two types of sampling were performed (stationary and mobile), adapted from methodology n. 1,501 (U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) for aromatic hydrocarbons, in six filling stations in the West Zone of Rio de Janeiro. Stationary sampling was done near the fuel pumps, while mobile sampling was done in the breathing zone of the workers (station attendants) as they moved around the station. The samples were analyzed with gas chromatography flame ionization detector. The sampling results were used to calculate the health risk, using the indicators Hazard quotient (HQ) and Cancer risk (CR) to assess the possible non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic effects, respectively, in filling station workers. Environmental concentrations for the most of the BTEX compounds were below the recommended limits, except for benzene, a carcinogenic compound, which displayed concentrations far above the limits, leading to high cancer risk values. The results showed that there are health risks for filling station attendants, especially the risk of developing cancer from excessive exposure to benzene.

A gasolina é uma mistura complexa de substâncias, dentre elas estão hidrocarbonetos como o benzeno, tolueno, etilbenzeno e xilenos (BTEX), sendo esses compostos emitidos para a atmosfera, com destaque ao benzeno, por ser comprovadamente carcinogênico. Objetivamos avaliar as concentrações de BTEX no ar de postos de revenda de combustíveis no Município do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, e calcular o risco de câncer associado a estas exposições. Foram realizados dois tipos de amostragem (fixa e móvel) adaptadas da metodologia nº 1.501 do Instituto Nacional de Segurança e Saúde Ocupacional (Estados Unidos), em seis postos de revenda de combustíveis na Zona Oeste da cidade. A amostragem fixa foi feita próxima às bombas de combustível, enquanto a móvel foi realizada através da coleta do ar na zona respiratória dos trabalhadores (frentistas), conforme estes se deslocavam pelo posto. As amostras foram analisadas por cromatografia gasosa com detecção por ionização em chama. Com os resultados das amostragens foram feitos os cálculos de risco à saúde, usando os indicadores Quociente de perigo (HQ) e Risco de câncer (CR), para avaliar os possíveis efeitos não-carcinogênicos e carcinogênicos, respectivamente, nos trabalhadores dos postos de revenda de combustíveis. As concentrações ambientais para a maioria dos compostos BTEX foram abaixo dos limites preconizados, menos para o benzeno, um composto carcinogênico, que apresentou concentrações muito acima dos limites, levando a altos valores de risco de câncer. Os resultados demonstraram que há riscos à saúde dos trabalhadores de postos de revenda de combustíveis, principalmente o risco de desenvolver câncer, devido à exposição excessiva ao benzeno.

La gasolina es una mezcla compleja de sustancias, entre ellas existen hidrocarburos como el benceno, tolueno, etilbenceno y xilenos (BTEX), emitiéndose estos compuestos a la atmósfera, donde se destaca el benceno, al tratarse de un carcinogénico comprobado. Los objetivos fueron evaluar las concentraciones de BTEX en el aire de puestos de reventa de combustibles, en el municipio de Río de Janeiro, Brasil, así como calcular el riesgo de cáncer asociado a estas exposiciones. Se realizaron dos tipos de muestra (fija y movible), adaptadas de la metodología nº 1.501 del Instituto Nacional de Seguridad y Salud Laboral (EE.UU.), en seis puestos de reventa de combustibles de la zona oeste de la ciudad. La muestra fija se realizó cerca de las bombas de combustible, mientras que la móvil se hizo mediante tomas de aire en la zona respiratoria de los trabajadores (de la gasolinera), a medida que estos se desplazaban por el lugar de trabajo. Las muestras se analizaron por cromatografía gaseosa con detección por ionización en llama. Junto a los resultados de las muestras, se realizaron cálculos de riesgo para la salud, usando los indicadores Cociente de peligro (HQ) y Riesgo de cáncer (CR), con el fin de evaluar los posibles efectos no-carcinogénicos y carcinogénicos, respectivamente, en los trabajadores de los puestos de reventa de combustibles. Las concentraciones ambientales para la mayoría de los compuestos BTEX estuvieron por debajo de los limites preconizados, menos en el caso del benceno, un compuesto carcinogénico, que presentó concentraciones muy por encima de los límites, llevando a altos valores de riesgo de cáncer. Los resultados demostraron que existen riesgos para la salud de los trabajadores de puestos de reventa de combustibles, principalmente, riesgo de desarrollar cáncer, debido a la exposición excesiva al benceno.

Occurrence of green tobacco sickness and associated factors in farmers residing in Dom Feliciano Municipality, Rio Grande do Sul State, Southern Region of Brazil.

This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of the green tobacco sickness (GTS) and its associated factors in tobacco familiar farmers residing in Dom Feliciano, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. A cross-sectional study was conducted evaluating the sickness in 354 small tobacco farmers, between October 2011 and March 2012. The urinary concentration of cotinine, a biomarker of exposure to nicotine, was determined during the tobacco harvest period. Subjects presenting cotinine urinary levels ≥ 50ng/mL, that had contact with tobacco leaves up to 48 hours before the sample collection and reported at least one disease symptom were deemed as cases. A non-conditional logistic analysis was performed to evaluate the association between GTS and the population characteristics. A total of 122 (34.5%) cases were identified, with 39% of them being smokers and 61% being males. The median cotinine urinary concentrations were 75.6ng/mL (74.1ng/mg of creatinine) for non-cases and 755.8ng/mL (632.1ng/mg of creatinine) for the cases (p-value ≤ 0.01). The multivariate analysis showed a positive association between GTS and sunlight exposure time, exposure to pesticides, worse health status, and inverse association with wood cultivation. This study presented a high GTS prevalence and suggest that the use of urinary cotinine is a significant biomarker to determine GTS cases, influencing in the distribution by sex. Once the tobacco production involves health hazards, is important to implement measures to prevent the harm caused to tobacco farmers, as set in articles 17 and 18 of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

Rio Birth Cohort Study on Environmental Exposure and Childhood Development - PIPA Project.

Background/Objective: As a developing country, Brazil presents a wide range of environmental risks that can constitute hazards to child health. The country also presents different socio-economic-cultural conditions that could be responsible for determining different vulnerability and susceptibility levels for the population, which can potentiate the effects of the environmental pollutants. The Rio Birth Cohort Study (PIPA project) is a prospective maternal-infant health study, hosted in the city of Rio de Janeiro (Southeastern Brazil), designed to investigate separate and combined effects of environmental chemical pollutants, as well as the interactions between these exposures and sociocultural environment and epigenetic patterns. This paper presents the learned lessons and strategies to address the shortcomings detected from this pilot study. Methods: The study population will be all children born at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro Maternity Hospital from July 1st, 2020 to June 30th, 2021. The estimated population is of 2,500 children. The study will collect social, demographic, and health information from pregnant women and their children up to four years of age. Biological samples from both mothers and newborns will be collected to assess metal, pesticide and plasticizer exposure. All newborns will have their landmarks of physical, neurological, psychological, and cognitive development recorded at specific ages. Findings: A pilot study was carried out between September 2017 and August 2018, totaling 142 enrolled pregnant women, leading to 135 (95%) births and the collection of umbilical cord (126-93%,) and mother (139-98%) blood samples, as well as both mother (142-100%) and newborn (54-40%) urine samples and newborn meconium samples (117-86.7%). Conclusions: The study proposes a comprehensive assessment of pre- and postnatal exposure to environmental chemicals at multiple time points in a population living in a highly urbanized developing country. As far as we know, this is the only birth cohort in Brazil specifically designed for this purpose.

Organochlorines and polychlorinated biphenyl environmental pollution in south coast of Rio De Janeiro state.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the burden of environmental pollution by Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and Organochlorine Pesticides (OCs) in two localities of Rio de Janeiro coast, through the determination of these levels in specimens of mullets and croakers collected from May to August 2008, at Guanabara Bay (GB) and from Araújo Island (AI), at Paraty Bay. Twenty three organochlorine pollutants were detected in croakers at GB and twenty in mullets and all PCBs congeners investigated in the study were present in the two species. Ratio ∑DDT/∑PCB of 1.4 shows an important contribution of agricultural residues in GB and p,p'-DDE/∑DDT of 0.1 demonstrates a reintroduction of DDT. Consumption of mullet may represent a risk to the health of fishermen families from GB, with average and maximum estimated daily intake of ∑DDT of 9.012µg/kg p.c. and 26,174µg/kg p.c., representing 45% and 131% of ADI established by WHO.

Avaliação da exposição a BTEX em postos de revenda de combustíveis no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, e os riscos à saúde do trabalhador / Assessment of exposure to BTEX in vehicle filling stations in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and risks to workers' health / Evaluación de la exposición a BTEX en puestos de reventa de combustibles, en Río de Janeiro, Brasil, y riesgos para la salud del trabajador

A gasolina é uma mistura complexa de substâncias, dentre elas estão hidrocarbonetos como o benzeno, tolueno, etilbenzeno e xilenos (BTEX), sendo esses compostos emitidos para a atmosfera, com destaque ao benzeno, por ser comprovadamente carcinogênico. Objetivamos avaliar as concentrações de BTEX no ar de postos de revenda de combustíveis no Município do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, e calcular o risco de câncer associado a estas exposições. Foram realizados dois tipos de amostragem (fixa e móvel) adaptadas da metodologia nº 1.501 do Instituto Nacional de Segurança e Saúde Ocupacional (Estados Unidos), em seis postos de revenda de combustíveis na Zona Oeste da cidade. A amostragem fixa foi feita próxima às bombas de combustível, enquanto a móvel foi realizada através da coleta do ar na zona respiratória dos trabalhadores (frentistas), conforme estes se deslocavam pelo posto. As amostras foram analisadas por cromatografia gasosa com detecção por ionização em chama. Com os resultados das amostragens foram feitos os cálculos de risco à saúde, usando os indicadores Quociente de perigo (HQ) e Risco de câncer (CR), para avaliar os possíveis efeitos não-carcinogênicos e carcinogênicos, respectivamente, nos trabalhadores dos postos de revenda de combustíveis. As concentrações ambientais para a maioria dos compostos BTEX foram abaixo dos limites preconizados, menos para o benzeno, um composto carcinogênico, que apresentou concentrações muito acima dos limites, levando a altos valores de risco de câncer. Os resultados demonstraram que há riscos à saúde dos trabalhadores de postos de revenda de combustíveis, principalmente o risco de desenvolver câncer, devido à exposição excessiva ao benzeno.

Gasoline is a complex mixture of substances, including aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX). These compounds are emitted into the air, with the special relevance of benzene since it is provenly carcinogenic. The study aimed to assess BTEX concentrations in filling stations in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and to calculate the cancer risk associated with such exposures. Two types of sampling were performed (stationary and mobile), adapted from methodology n. 1,501 (U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) for aromatic hydrocarbons, in six filling stations in the West Zone of Rio de Janeiro. Stationary sampling was done near the fuel pumps, while mobile sampling was done in the breathing zone of the workers (station attendants) as they moved around the station. The samples were analyzed with gas chromatography flame ionization detector. The sampling results were used to calculate the health risk, using the indicators Hazard quotient (HQ) and Cancer risk (CR) to assess the possible non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic effects, respectively, in filling station workers. Environmental concentrations for the most of the BTEX compounds were below the recommended limits, except for benzene, a carcinogenic compound, which displayed concentrations far above the limits, leading to high cancer risk values. The results showed that there are health risks for filling station attendants, especially the risk of developing cancer from excessive exposure to benzene.

La gasolina es una mezcla compleja de sustancias, entre ellas existen hidrocarburos como el benceno, tolueno, etilbenceno y xilenos (BTEX), emitiéndose estos compuestos a la atmósfera, donde se destaca el benceno, al tratarse de un carcinogénico comprobado. Los objetivos fueron evaluar las concentraciones de BTEX en el aire de puestos de reventa de combustibles, en el municipio de Río de Janeiro, Brasil, así como calcular el riesgo de cáncer asociado a estas exposiciones. Se realizaron dos tipos de muestra (fija y movible), adaptadas de la metodología nº 1.501 del Instituto Nacional de Seguridad y Salud Laboral (EE.UU.), en seis puestos de reventa de combustibles de la zona oeste de la ciudad. La muestra fija se realizó cerca de las bombas de combustible, mientras que la móvil se hizo mediante tomas de aire en la zona respiratoria de los trabajadores (de la gasolinera), a medida que estos se desplazaban por el lugar de trabajo. Las muestras se analizaron por cromatografía gaseosa con detección por ionización en llama. Junto a los resultados de las muestras, se realizaron cálculos de riesgo para la salud, usando los indicadores Cociente de peligro (HQ) y Riesgo de cáncer (CR), con el fin de evaluar los posibles efectos no-carcinogénicos y carcinogénicos, respectivamente, en los trabajadores de los puestos de reventa de combustibles. Las concentraciones ambientales para la mayoría de los compuestos BTEX estuvieron por debajo de los limites preconizados, menos en el caso del benceno, un compuesto carcinogénico, que presentó concentraciones muy por encima de los límites, llevando a altos valores de riesgo de cáncer. Los resultados demostraron que existen riesgos para la salud de los trabajadores de puestos de reventa de combustibles, principalmente, riesgo de desarrollar cáncer, debido a la exposición excesiva al benceno.

Occurrence of green tobacco sickness and associated factors in farmers residing in Dom Feliciano Municipality, Rio Grande do Sul State, Southern Region of Brazil / Ocorrência da doença da folha verde do tabaco e fatores associados entre fumicultores no Município de Dom Feliciano, Rio Grande do Sul, Região Sul do Brasil / Ocurrencia de la enfermedad del tabaco verde y factores asociados en agricultores que residen en el Municipio de Dom Feliciano, Estado de Rio Grande do Sul, Región Sur de Brasil

Abstract: This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of the green tobacco sickness (GTS) and its associated factors in tobacco familiar farmers residing in Dom Feliciano, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. A cross-sectional study was conducted evaluating the sickness in 354 small tobacco farmers, between October 2011 and March 2012. The urinary concentration of cotinine, a biomarker of exposure to nicotine, was determined during the tobacco harvest period. Subjects presenting cotinine urinary levels ≥ 50ng/mL, that had contact with tobacco leaves up to 48 hours before the sample collection and reported at least one disease symptom were deemed as cases. A non-conditional logistic analysis was performed to evaluate the association between GTS and the population characteristics. A total of 122 (34.5%) cases were identified, with 39% of them being smokers and 61% being males. The median cotinine urinary concentrations were 75.6ng/mL (74.1ng/mg of creatinine) for non-cases and 755.8ng/mL (632.1ng/mg of creatinine) for the cases (p-value ≤ 0.01). The multivariate analysis showed a positive association between GTS and sunlight exposure time, exposure to pesticides, worse health status, and inverse association with wood cultivation. This study presented a high GTS prevalence and suggest that the use of urinary cotinine is a significant biomarker to determine GTS cases, influencing in the distribution by sex. Once the tobacco production involves health hazards, is important to implement measures to prevent the harm caused to tobacco farmers, as set in articles 17 and 18 of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

Resumo: O estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a ocorrência de doença da folha verde (DFV) e fatores associados entre fumicultores familiares no Município de Dom Feliciano, Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Foi realizado um estudo transversal sobre DFV em 354 pequenos produtores de tabaco, entre outubro de 2011 e março de 2012. Foi medida a concentração urinária da cotinina, um biomarcador da exposição à nicotina, durante a temporada de colheita do tabaco. Os casos de DFV foram definidos como indivíduos com níveis urinários de cotinina ≥ 50ng/mL, que tiveram contato com folhas de tabaco em até 48 horas antes da coleta da amostra sanguínea e que relatavam pelo menos um sintoma da doença. Foi realizada uma análise logística não condicional para avaliar a associação entre DFV e as características da população. Foram identificados um total de 122 (34,5%) casos da doença, entre os quais 39% eram fumantes e 61% eram do sexo masculino. As concentrações urinárias medianas de cotinina foram 75,6ng/mL (74,1ng/mg de creatinina) para não-casos e 755,8ng/mL (632,1ng/mg de creatinina) para os casos (valor de p ≤ 0,01). A análise multivariada mostrou uma associação positiva entre DFV e tempo de exposição à luz solar, exposição a pesticidas e pior estado de saúde geral, e uma associação inversa com cultivo de lenha. O estudo identificou alta prevalência de DFV e sugere o uso da cotinina como biomarcador significativo para identificar os casos de DFV, influenciando a distribuição por sexo. Uma vez que a fumicultura envolve danos à saúde, é importante implementar medidas para prevenir os impactos para os fumicultores, de acordo com os artigos 17 e 18 da Convenção-Quadro para o Controle do Tabaco da Organização Mundial da Saúde.

Resumen: Este estudio visó evaluar la ocurrencia de la enfermedad del tabaco verde (GTS por sus siglas en inglés) y sus factores asociados en pequeños agricultores de tabaco, que residen en Dom Feliciano, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Se realizó un estudio transversal, evaluando la enfermedad del tabaco verde, en 354 pequeños agricultores de tabaco, entre octubre de 2011 y marzo 2012. La concentración urinaria de cotinina, un biomarcador de la exposición a la nicotina, se determinó durante el periodo de cosecha del tabaco. Los individuos que presentan niveles de cotinina urinarios ≥ 50ng/mL, que tuvieron contacto con hojas de tabaco hasta 48 horas antes de la recogida de la muestra, e informaron de al menos un síntoma de la enfermedad, fueron considerados casos. Se realizó un análisis logístico no condicional para evaluar la asociación entre GTS y las características de la población. Se identificaron un total de 122 (34,5%) casos, siendo un 39% de ellos fumadores y un 61% hombres. Las concentraciones medias de cotinina urinaria fueron 75,6ng/mL (74,1ng/mg de creatinina) para los no casos y 755,8ng/mL (632,1ng/mg de creatinina) para los casos (valor de p ≤ 0,01). El análisis multivariado mostró una asociación positiva entre el GTS y las horas de exposición a la luz solar, exposición a los pesticidas, un estatus peor de salud, y la asociación inversa con la cultura maderera. Este estudio presentó una alta prevalencia de GTS y sugiere que el uso de la cotinina urinaria es un biomarcador significativo para identificar casos de GTS, influenciando en la distribución por sexo. Debido a que la producción de tabaco implica perjuicios para la salud, es importante implementar medidas para prevenirlos en los agricultores del tabaco, como está estipulado en los artículos 17 y 18 del Convenio Marco para el Control del Tabaco de la Organización Mundial de la Salud.

Association between serum levels of organochlorine pesticides and sex hormones in adults living in a heavily contaminated area in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have investigated the effects of organochlorine (OC) pesticides on adverse reproductive outcomes. However, few previous studies explored their effects on sex hormones. OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between serum concentrations of OC pesticides and levels of sex hormones in adult population in a rural area in Brazil heavily contaminated with these pesticides. METHODS: A cross-sectional study with 304 men and 300 women was undertaken. Wet weight serum concentrations of 19 OC pesticides (dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane [DDT] and hexachlorocyclohexane [HCH], among others) were determined in all participants. Testosterone levels were obtained for men and estradiol, progesterone, prolactin, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) for women. Associations between OC pesticides and sex hormones were evaluated using linear regression models. RESULTS: Prevalence of women with non-physiological hyperprolactinemia was 4%. After adjusting for serum lipids and confounders, heptachlor and o,p'-DDT concentrations in men were associated with lower testosterone levels, while peri- and postmenopausal women (N=77) showed inverse associations between LH and hexachlorobenzene (HCB), p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDD (dichloro-diphenyl-dichloroethane), endosulfan 1 and 2, aldrin and mirex, as well as between FSH and p,p'-DDD, endosulfan 1 and aldrin. Premenopausal women (N=210) did not show statistically significant associations between OC pesticides and sex hormones. CONCLUSIONS: Inverse associations between OC pesticide concentrations and testosterone in men and LH and FSH in peri-/postmenopausal women, together with the high proportion of women with elevated prolactin, suggest that these OC compounds may have triggered anti-androgenic effects in men and estrogenic effects in women in this population.

Organochlorine compounds in bovine milk from the state of Mato Grosso do Sul-Brazil.

Organochlorines are highly hydrophobic, synthetic organic pollutants that accumulate in the environment and in food webs. The primary route of human exposure to organochlorines is through food-mainly fat-rich food of animal origin such as meat, fish, and dairy products. Here we determined the presence and concentration of organochlorine residues in pasteurized milk from Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, to monitor consumer exposure to these contaminants. Organochlorine pesticides in milk samples were analyzed using solid phase extraction in octadecyl silica-prepacked columns and identified by gas chromatography using an electron capture detector. Of the 100 composite samples analyzed, more than 90% contained residues of organochlorine pesticides: aldrin was present in 44% of the samples, followed by ∑DDT (36%), mirex (34%), endosulfan (32%), chlordane (17%), dicofol (14%), heptachlor (11%) and dieldrin (11%). Compared to the values established by law, the concentration of the compounds in some samples was above the reference values. Given the importance that milk and its products have in the human diet, it is essential to know whether the levels of pesticide residues are kept well below the recommended levels to minimize the risk to human health.

Prevalência do tremor essencial em população exposta ocupacionalmente a agrotóxicos no Estado do Rio de Janeiro / Prevalence of essential tremor in occupationally exposed population to pesticides in the State of Rio de Janeiro

Introdução: O tremor essencial é um dos distúrbios de movimento mais frequentes em adultos. Objetivo: Estimar a prevalência de tremor essencial em um grupo de guardas de endemia expostos cronicamente a agrotóxicos, identificar seus municípios de lotação e os principais inseticidas e larvicidas aplicados. Método: Estudo transversal descritivo e inferencial com dados obtidos de prontuários médicos dos guardas de endemias oriundos da Fundação Nacional de Saúde (Funasa), que buscaram atendimento no Ambulatório de Neurotoxicologia Ocupacional e Ambiental do Cesteh/Ensp/Fiocruz no período entre agosto/2010 a setembro/2012. Resultados: Foram analisados 383 registros. A estimativa da prevalência de tremor essencial foi de 14,4% (IC95%: 10,9 - 17,9). Foram identificados 19 municípios de lotação e 12 princípios ativos aplicados. Conclusão: Observou-se elevada prevalência de tremor essencial nesta amostra. Limitações no desenho devem ser consideradas, sendo necessário avaliar seus resultados com cautela. (AU)

Introdution: Essential tremor is one of the most frequent movement disorders in adults. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of essential tremor in a group of public pesticide applicators, identify their counties and the main insecticides and larvicides applied. Method: This is a descriptive and inferential, transversal analysis performed from the secondary data obtained from medical records of public pesticide applicators originated from Fundação Nacional de Saúde (Funasa), seeking care at Outpatient Clinic of Occupational and Environmental Neurotoxicology from Cesteh/Ensp/Fiocruz between august/ 2010 and september/2012. Results: In our sample, the estimate of the prevalence of essential tremor was 14.4 % (95%CI: 10,9 to 17,9), 19 counties and 12 pesticides applied were identified. Conclusion: It was observed a high prevalence of essential tremor, but this result must be treated with caution. (AU)

Uso de agrotóxicos e suas implicações na exposição ocupacional e contaminação ambiental / Use of pesticides and their implications for occupational exposure and environmental contamination

O uso indiscriminado de agrotóxicos tem trazido uma gama de efeitos indesejáveis para os seres humanos e o ambiente. Estima-se que dois terços dos agrotóxicos existentes sejam utilizados na agricultura. Este estudo visa avaliar o perfil socioeconômico e os processos executados pelos trabalhadores agrícolas de Paty do Alferes (RJ), a fim de identificar possíveis práticas e costumes que favoreçam a exposição ocupacional e/ou a contaminação ambiental, principalmente da água usada para consumo. Foram realizadas entrevistas com 40 agricultores, por meio da aplicação de questionários padronizados com questões sobre características socioeconômicas, informações de orientações sobre o uso de agrotóxicos, uso de agrotóxicos e noções de perigo, contaminação ambiental por agrotóxicos e agrotóxicos mais utilizados nas culturas praticadas. As práticas relatadas pelos agricultores, como não ler o rótulo das embalagens e não adotar medidas para diminuir o uso de agrotóxico, aliadas à falta de assistência técnica especializada gera, além de efeitos nocivos à saúde, uma tendência ao descuido em relação à contaminação ambiental. O desenvolvimento da agricultura sustentável deve ser estimulado, pois contribuirá para a conservação do ambiente e a minimização dos efeitos negativos desses compostos na saúde humana e ambiental.

Monitoramento da exposição a organoclorados: uma revisão sobre análises em matrizes biológicas / Monitoring organochlorine exposure: a review on biological matrices analysis

Agrotóxicos organoclorados (OC) são classificados como poluentes orgânicos persistentes e podem ser determinados em uma ampla variedade de matrizes ambientais e biológicas. O controle da exposição a estes químicos é considerado um desafio para as autoridades de saúde pública, desde que o espectro de efeitos adversos às populações inclui desregulação do sistema endócrino e carcinogenicidade. O objetivo deste artigo é apresentar uma revisão sobre os métodos de análise de OC em amostras biológicas, e discutir os fatores que mais influenciam o monitoramento biológico. Os métodos para análise de resíduos de OC requerem alta sensibilidade, e a etapa de extração dos analitos da matriz é crítica para garantir a qualidade dos resultados. Muitos métodos são disponíveis tais como a extração líquido-líquido, utilização de cartuchos ou discos para extração em fase sólida, extração em fase sólida com micro fibras e extração com barra agitadora. A matriz biológica mais utilizada para detectar OC é o soro, que pode ser convenientemente obtida.

Organochlorine pesticides (OC) are classified as persistent organic pollutants and can be determined in a great variety of environment and biological matrices. The control of the exposure to these chemicals is considered a challenge to the public health authorities, since the spectrum of adverse effects to the populations includes disruption of endocrine system and carcinogenicity. The objective of this study is to present a review about the methods of analysis of OC in biological samples, and to discuss the factors that most influence biological monitoring. The methods used for trace analysis of OC need to be highly sensitive and the extraction stage of the analytes from the matrix is a critical step to ensure the quality of results. Many methods are available such as liquid-liquid extraction, utilization of cartridges, disks and micro fibers for solid phase extraction, and extraction with stirring bars. The most used biological matrix for tracking OC is the serum, which can be very conveniently obtained.