Evaluación de los efectos del glifosato y otros plaguicidas en la salud humana en zonas objeto del programa de erradicación de cultivos ilícitos / Effects of aerial applications of the herbicide, glyphosate and insecticides on human health

Introducción. El Programa de Erradicación de Cultivos Ilícitos con Glifosato se ejecuta dando cumplimiento a lo establecido en el Plan de Manejo Ambiental. Objetivo. Explorar los posibles efectos del glifosato y otros plaguicidas sobre la salud humana como resultado de las aspersiones aéreas. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo en 112 individuos procedentes de las áreas asperjadas de los departamentos de Huila, Tolima, Putumayo, Guaviare, Santander, Antioquia, Magdalena y La Guajira, durante 2005 y 2006. Se aplicó una encuesta y se recolectaron muestras de orina para la determinación de glifosato, y de sangre, para la determinación de acetilcolinesterasa y organoclorados. Se llevó a cabo un análisis simple y se exploraron las posibles asociaciones. Resultados. El 50,0% (56 individuos) de la población manifestó el uso de plaguicidas en su trabajo. El tiempo que llevaban utilizando los plaguicidas fue de 84,8 meses y refirieron aplicar plaguicidas 5,6 horas al día. El predominio de los plaguicidas usados fue extremadamente tóxico. De 39,6% de los individuos a quienes se les cuantificó glifosato, 64,3% reportaron su uso en actividades agrícolas. Se encontró una relación estadísticamente significativa entre el uso de glifosato terrestre (manual) y los niveles de este herbicida en orina (OR=2,54; IC95% 1,08-6,08). Conclusión. No hubo hallazgos concluyentes entre la exposición a glifosato empleado en la erradicación de cultivos ilícitos y los efectos en la salud, debido a que se halló exposición ocupacional concomitante por la misma sustancia y por otras de mayor toxicidad que el glifosato.

Introduction. The herbicide glyphosate is administered aerially by the Program to Eradicate Illicit Crops Program and is undertaken in rigorous compliance with the Environmental Management Plan. Objective. The effects of the glyphosate herbicide and other aerially applied insecticides were measured to determine possible impact on human health. Materials and methods. In 2005-2006, a survey was taken of 112 individuals living in herbicide-treated areas of the Colombian provinces of Huila, Tolima, Putumayo, Guaviare, Santander, Antioquia, Magdalena and La Guajira. Samples of blood were examined for presence of acetylcholinesterase and organochlorine insecticides; urine was analyzed for glyphosate and its metabolites. Results. Fifty percent (50%) of the individuals sampled acknowledged the use of control chemicals as part of their work. The mean exposure time to the chemicals was 84.4 months, with a mean daily exposure of 5.6 hours. The most commonly used pesticides were of category I--extremely hazardous. In individuals sampled for glyphosate (39.6% of the total), 64.3% indicated the use of this herbicide at ground level in agricultural work. A statistically significative relationship was found between the use of glyphosate at ground level, and the concentration levels of glyphosate in the urine samples (odds ratio=2.54, 95% CI: 1.08 to 6.8). Conclusion. These data did not show a relationship between the aerial sprayings of glyphosate for illicit crops eradication and an impact on human health, nor with occupational exposure to this and other chemicals (insecticides) with a high levels of toxicity.

[Effects of aerial applications of the herbicide glyphosate and insecticides on human health]. / Evaluación de los efectos del glifosato y otros plaguicidas en la salud humana en zonas objeto del programa de erradicación de cultivos ilícitos.

INTRODUCTION: The herbicide glyphosate is administered aerially by the Program to Eradicate Illicit Crops Program and is undertaken in rigorous compliance with the Environmental Management Plan. OBJECTIVE: The effects of the glyphosate herbicide and other aerially applied insecticides were measured to determine possible impact on human health. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 2006-2006, a survey was taken of 112 individuals living in herbicide-treated areas of the Colombian provinces of Huila, Tolima, Putumayo, Guaviare, Santander, Antioquia, Magdalena and La Guajira. Samples of blood were examined for presence of acetylcholinesterase and organochlorine insecticides; urine was analyzed for glyphosate and its metabolites. RESULTS: Fifty percent (50%) of the individuals sampled acknowledged the use of control chemicals as part of their work. The mean exposure time to the chemicals was 84.4 months, with a mean daily exposure of 5.6 hours. The most commonly used pesticides were of category I--extremely hazardous. In individuals sampled for glyphosate (39.6% of the total), 64.3% indicated the use of this herbicide at ground level in agricultural work. A statistically significative relationship was found between the use of glyphosate at ground level, and the concentration levels of glyphosate in the urine samples (odds ratio=2.54, 95% CI: 1.08 to 6.8). CONCLUSION: These data did not show a relationship between the aerial sprayings of glyphosate for illicit crops eradication and an impact on human health, nor with occupational exposure to this and other chemicals (insecticides) with a high levels of toxicity.

Factores de exposición a plaguicidas organofosforados y carbamatos en el departamento del Putumayo, 2006 / Organophosphorus and carbamate pesticide exposure in Putumayo Province, Colombia

Introducción. En 2005 el Sistema de Vigilancia en Salud Pública encontró que el departamento del Putumayo es la región con mayor incidencia de intoxicaciones por plaguicidas en Colombia. Objetivo. Establecer la exposición a plaguicidas organofosforados y carbamatos en la población agrícola mediante la determinación de los niveles de acetilcolinesterasa en el departamento de Putumayo, utilizando el método de Michel. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó un estudio transversal en 204 trabajadores ocupacionalmente expuestos, en cuatro municipios del departamento de Putumayo. Se aplicó una encuesta para recolectar información y se tomó una muestra de sangre para la determinación de la acetilcolinesterasa. Se llevó a cabo el análisis simple de las variables y se exploraron posibles asociaciones. Un grupo de trabajadores fueron capacitados con la metodología SARAR (una estrategia educacional participativa que significa: S: seguridad, A: asociación, R: reacción, A: actualización y R: responsabilidad) sobre el uso y el manejo de plaguicidas. Resultados. Se estableció que el tiempo promedio de exposición fue de nueve años. El 75,2 por ciento manifestó emplear plaguicidas extremadamente tóxicos y el 13,0 por ciento altamente tóxicos. En promedio refirieron aplicar plaguicidas 7,3 horas al día. El 9,8 por ciento usaban plaguicidas organoclorados. En cuanto a la actividad de la enzima acetilcolinesterasa, 17,6 por ciento presentaban inhibición. Conclusión. Este trabajo permitió tener una dimensión real del problema de los plaguicidas en el Putumayo y utilizarla para hacer una intervención educativa sobre los trabajadores y sus familias, con la metodología SARAR.

Introduction. In 2005, the Sistema de Vigilancia en Salud Pública, the governmental agency responsible for monitoring public health, found that Putumayo Province has the highest incidence of poisoning by pesticides in Colombia. Objective. Exposure to organophosphorus and carbamate pesticides and carbamates was established in the agricultural population of Putumayo by determining acetylcholinesterase levels. Materials and methods. A cross-sectional survey was made in 204 occupationally exposed workers in four municipalities of Putumayo. A questionnaire was administered to collect subject information; a blood sample was taken for acetylcholinesterase determination by Michel’s method. A straightforward analysis of the variables and possible associations were explored. A group of workers was enabled with SARAR (a participative educational strategy that means: S: safety, A: association, R: reaction, A: actualization and R: responsability)methodology for use and handling of pesticides. Results. The average time of exposure was nine years. Seventy-five percent declared using extremely toxic pesticides and 13% highly toxic. On average, they applied pesticides 7.3 hours/day. Nearly 10% used organochloride pesticides. Furthermore, 17.6% demonstrated inhibition of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase. Conclusion. A realistic scale of the pesticide use problem in humans was obtained; and the data effectively recommend an educatiional intervention for the workers and their families with SARAR methodology.

[Organophosphorus and carbamate pesticide exposure in Putumayo Province, Colombia]. / Factores de exposición a plaguicidas organofosforados y carbamatos en el departamento del Putumayo, 2006.

INTRODUCTION: In 2005, the Sistema de Vigilancia en Salud Pública, the governmental agency responsible for monitoring public health, found that Putumayo Province has the highest incidence of poisoning by pesticides in Colombia. OBJECTIVE: Exposure to organophosphorus and carbamate pesticides and carbamates was established in the agricultural population of Putumayo by determining acetylcholinesterase levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was made in 204 occupationally exposed workers in four municipalities of Putumayo. A questionnaire was administered to collect subject information; a blood sample was taken for acetylcholinesterase determination by Michels method. A straightforward analysis of the variables and possible associations were explored. A group of workers was enabled with SARAR (a participative educational strategy that means: S: safety, A: association, R: reaction, A: actualization and R: responsability)methodology for use and handling of pesticides. RESULTS: The average time of exposure was nine years. Seventy-five percent declared using extremely toxic pesticides and 13% highly toxic. On average, they applied pesticides 7.3 hours/day. Nearly 10% used organochloride pesticides. Furthermore, 17.6% demonstrated inhibition of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase. CONCLUSION: A realistic scale of the pesticide use problem in humans was obtained; and the data effectively recommend an educatiional intervention for the workers and their families with SARAR methodology.