Respiratory and Dermal Symptoms and Raised Serum Concentrations of Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress among Pesticide Retailers.

BACKGROUND: Recently concern has been raised regarding possible health effects resulting from exposure of a group of pesticide retailers to chemicals they handle. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of respiratory and dermal symptoms, as well as biomarkers of oxidative stress, among pesticide retailers and to compare them with those of an unexposed comparison group. METHODS: 70 male pesticide retailers and 64 male construction workers (served as the comparison group) were investigated. Blood samples were taken from all participants to assess the biomarkers of oxidative stress. A data sheet and the European Community Respiratory Health Survey II questionnaire were used to determine the prevalence of dermal and respiratory disorders, respectively. RESULTS: After adjusting for age, weight, height, education level, job tenure, average daily work, presence of family history of respiratory diseases, marital status, smoking status, and number of cigarettes smoked per day, we found that wheezing (OR 4.07, 95% CI 1.17 to 14.17), cough (OR 3.38, 95% CI 1.15 to 9.98), and mucus hypersecretion (OR 3.66, 95% CI 1.45 to 9.05) were significantly more prevalent among pesticide retailers compared with the comparison group. The prevalence of tingling and dryness of skin exposed individuals was significantly higher than unexposed participants. The mean serum concentrations of glutathione and malondialdehyde in the exposed group were significantly higher than those in the comparison group. CONCLUSION: Occupational exposure to low doses of a mixture of pesticides by retailers was associated with increased prevalence of dermal and respiratory symptoms as well as raised concentrations of biomarkers of oxidative stress.

Evaluation of hematological and biochemical parameters of pesticide retailers following occupational exposure to a mixture of pesticides.

AIMS: This study was undertaken to ascertain whether light occupational exposure to pesticides by retailers might be associated with any liver, kidney, nervous system dysfunction or hematological abnormalities. MAIN METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 70 male pesticide retailers (cases) and 64 male subjects, randomly selected from the constructions workers of city council contractors, as the referent group, were investigated. Urine and blood samples were taken from all subjects for urine analysis, hematological and biochemical parameters. Data analysis was conducted through SPSS v.19 using t-test and chi-square test. KEY FINDINGS: The results of urine analysis showed that the frequency of abnormal urine tests was significantly higher in cases than in referent individuals. Similarly, the results of CBC showed that the mean values of monocyte, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin and platelet distribution width were significantly lower, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration and red blood cell distribution width were significantly higher in retailers. No significant differences were found for other parameters. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings indicate that an association exists between exposure to pesticides by retailers and early subtle and sub-clinical changes in the urine tests and hematological parameters. Engineering measures are recommended to eliminate exposure to pesticides and to prevent its associated outcomes.