Evaluation of genotoxic effects in workers and residents of rural areas exposed to pesticides in Brazil.

Brazil is one of the world's largest consumers of pesticides. This intense use impacts the environment and exposes a wide range of individuals to pesticides, including rural workers who are occupationally exposed and rural residents who are environmentally exposed. We aimed to evaluate the effects of occupational exposure to pesticides on the health of rural workers and rural residents. We conducted an epidemiological study with 104 farmers and 23 rural residents of Casimiro de Abreu (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). A comparison group (urban residents) comprised 103 residents of the urban area of the same city. We determined the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) using a modified version of Ellman's method to evaluate exposure. In addition, we performed genotoxic and mutagenic analyses with the comet assay and the cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay. There was a reduction in cholinesterase activity, mainly BChE, in rural workers and rural residents compared with urban residents (p = 0.002). There was an increase in genotoxic effects in rural workers compared with urban residents (comet assay, p < 0.001; CBMN assay, p < 0.001). In addition, there was a greater chance of genotoxic changes in rural workers exposed to pesticides based on the comet assay (odds ratio [OR] 7.6, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 6.6-15.9) and the CBMN assay (OR 22.7, 95 % CI 10.3-49.9). We found that individuals occupationally exposed to pesticides are more likely to have genotoxic effects. These findings are useful for the development of programs to monitor populations exposed to genotoxic substances and allow the development of strategies for the prevention, control, and surveillance of effects that result from occupational and environmental exposures to pesticides.

Investigating factors affecting the development of contract farming. Case study: tomatoes in Kermanshah Province.

The escalating demands of a growing population and rising living standards strain the efficiency of traditional agricultural methods in fulfilling consumer nutritional needs. Technological advancements, particularly the introduction of contract farming models, offer a potential path towards addressing these challenges. However, in Iran, contract farming remains an underdeveloped and under-researched agricultural practice. This study delves into the factors influencing the development of contract farming in Iran. Employing a two-level multinomial logit model and data collected through 380 questionnaires administered to farmers in the Kermanshah region, the research reveals income (measured by the number of employed household members) as the primary driver of contract farming adoption. Additionally, factors such as reduced agricultural risk, higher education levels among farmers, improved product sales prices, and proximity to processing facilities positively impact the expansion of contract farming. Interestingly, "push factors" like land scarcity significantly influence non-contract farming participation, with 30.8% of surveyed households relying on these alternative methods. Geographical factors also contribute, explaining 23% of the observed variance in farming activity choices. These findings inform key policy interventions for sustainable contract farming development in Iran: robust legal frameworks and transparent contracts, contract-specific insurance schemes, training for agricultural extension workers, and farmer awareness campaigns.

Relevance of farm-scale indicators and tools for farmers to assess sustainability of their mixed crop-ruminant livestock systems.

Ensuring the sustainability and circularity of mixed crop-ruminant livestock systems is essential if they are to deliver on the enhancement of long-term productivity and profitability with a smaller footprint. The objectives of this study were to select indicators in the environmental, economic and social dimensions of sustainability of crop-livestock systems, to assess if these indicators are relevant in the operational schedule of farmers, and to score the indicators in these farm systems. The scoring system was based on relevance to farmers, data availability, frequency of use, and policy. The study was successful in the assemblage of a suite of indicators comprising three dimensions of sustainability and the development of criteria to assess the usefulness of these indicators in crop-ruminant livestock systems in distinct agro-climatic regions across the globe. Except for ammonia emissions, indicators within the Emissions to air theme obtained high scores, as expected from mixed crop-ruminant systems in countries transitioning towards low emission production systems. Despite the inherent association between nutrient losses and water quality, the sum of scores was numerically greater for the former, attributed to a mix of economic and policy incentives. The sum of indicator scores within the Profitability theme (farm net income, expenditure and revenue) received the highest scores in the economic dimension. The Workforce theme (diversity, education, succession) stood out within the social dimension, reflecting the need for an engaged labor force that requires knowledge and skills in both crop and livestock husbandry. The development of surveys with farmers/stakeholders to assess the relevance of farm-scale indicators and tools is important to support direct actions and policies in support of sustainable mixed crop-ruminant livestock farm systems.

Achieving healthy and profitable production through collective action? The case of vegetable farmers in the French West Indies.

Given the multiple challenges that agriculture faces, collective action is a potential pathway towards more sustainable agriculture. This article aims to contribute to the literature by assessing the extent to which collective action can meet the objective of both healthy and profitable production in the French West Indies. To do so, we call on the theory of collective action and emphasise the role of formal and informal collectives in achieving the objectives of improving income and implementing agroecological practices. We use original data collected in 2022 from 409 vegetable farmers in Martinique and Guadeloupe. We consider the interdependence between farmers' economic and environmental objectives through a simultaneous equations model. We characterise the diversity of collectives according to their degree of formalisation and to the adequacy between the objectives pursued by these collectives and the individual objectives of their members. Our results show that the achievement of an individual objective is fostered by its adequacy with the objective set by the collective and also, to a certain extent, by the degree of formalisation of this collective. It appears that achieving individual objectives is based on sharing common objectives as well as having collective rules. More particularly, we find that producer organisations - collectives considered to be the most formal - best meet the objectives of improving income and adopting agroecological practices. However, in the French West Indies, the instability of such collectives and the organisational deficiencies of the sector call into question their real long-term impact. These findings contribute to a better understanding of farmers' decision-making and provide relevant policy implications for supporting agricultural collectives in managing and federating producers towards achieving a more healthy and profitable production.

The link between pesticide exposure and suicide in agricultural workers: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic literature review to find the association between pesticide exposure and the incidence of suicide in agricultural workers, focusing on analyzing the profile of agricultural workers, the countries with the highest number of publications and, especially, the link between occupational exposure to pesticides, the degradation of mental health and suicide among agricultural workers. METHODS: A systematic literature review was conducted following the PRISMA protocol using Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed databases, where 33 articles were screened to compose the final portfolio. RESULTS: There is a strong link between pesticide exposure and suicide in agricultural workers. Smoking, alcohol consumption, exposure time, and marital status influence the decision to die by suicide. Brazil and the US lead the ranking in publications, demonstrating that it is not a problem only for developing countries. Organophosphates are the main pesticides used, and they degrade an enzyme crucial for the nervous system, which can result in mental disorders and consequent suicide in agricultural workers. CONCLUSION: There is a need for stricter norms for the commercialization and use of pesticides. There is also a need for providing training to agricultural workers on the application and storage of pesticides, and to communicate about the compounds and the consequences of pesticides to mental health.

High levels of anxiety and depression in women farmers from Ecuador: A cross-section study in Coastal and Highlands regions.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that women farmers are particularly vulnerable to mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety. AIMS: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of anxiety and depression in women farmers from Ecuador Coastal and Highlands regions. METHOD: General Anxiety Disorder­7 (GAD­7) and Patient Health Questionnaire­9 (PHQ­9) were applied. In addition, self-reported number of children, days off, hours of work, pesticide use, sleep habits and years of work in agriculture, were also collected. This cross-sectional study occurred during 2023 with 443 women, for Coastal (197) and Highlands (246), respectively. Multivariable binary logistic regression models were performed to obtained adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). RESULTS: 34.5% of Coastal women had depression, while 27.2% of Highlands women had depression. 20.3% of coastal women farmers had anxiety, while in the Highlands 24.8% had anxiety. Coastal mestizo and montubio women exhibited lower probability of depression, but this was not significant in the Highlands. Coastal women farmers that did not have children showed lower odds of depression (aOR 0.05, 95% CI [0.01, 0.34]). A lower likelihood of depression was observed in coastal women that worked more than 8 hours (aOR 0.22, 95% CI [0.07, 0.72]). Women from the Highlands that had shortened sleep duration exhibited lower odds of depression and anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: A higher proportion of depressed women farmers was observed in the Coast region and slightly higher numbers of anxiety cases in the Highlands. The number of children may cause workload and is correlated with depression in Coastal women.

Association of pesticide exposure with respiratory health outcomes and rhinitis in avocado farmworkers from Michoacán, Mexico.

BACKGROUND: A growing literature suggests associations between occupational pesticide exposure and respiratory health. In this study, we aimed to examine the association of exposure to insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides, individually and as a mixture, with respiratory health outcomes and rhinitis in avocado farmworkers from Michoacán, Mexico. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 105 avocado farmworkers between May and August 2021. We quantified 12 insecticide, fungicide, and herbicide metabolites in urine samples collected during two study visits (8-10 weeks apart). We collected survey data on self-reported pesticide use during the 12 months prior to the baseline survey and estimated annual exposure-intensity scores (EIS) using a semi-quantitative exposure algorithm. We also assessed respiratory symptoms, including wheezing, chest tightness, wheezing after exercise, and night cough. We used generalized linear regression models to examine associations of individual urinary metabolite concentrations and annual EIS with respiratory health outcomes and rhinitis. Mixture effects were assessed using Bayesian Weighted Quantile Sum (BWQS) regression. RESULTS: After adjusting for multiple comparisons, we observed mostly null associations of individual pesticide metabolite concentrations and annual EIS with the outcomes of interest. However, in BWQS analyses, we found evidence of a mixture association of urinary pesticide metabolites with increased odds of night cough (OR: 5.34, 95 % CrI: 1.67, 20.62). Pyrethroid metabolites 3-phenoxybenzoic acid and cis- and trans-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid were the main contributors to this association (43 %). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that exposure to a mixture of pesticides, particularly pyrethroid insecticides, may be associated with night cough in avocado farmworkers.

Identifying selection strategies based on the practices and preferences of small ruminant farmers to improve the sustainability of their breeding systems.

Small ruminant farming is of socio-economic and environmental importance to many rural communities around the world. The SMARTER H2020 project aims to redefine genetic selection criteria to increase the sustainability of the sector. The objective of this study was to analyse the selection and breeding management practices of small ruminant producers and breeders, linked with socio-technical elements that shape them. The study is based on farm surveys using semi-structured interviews conducted in five countries (France, Spain, Italy, Greece, and Uruguay) across 272 producers and breeders of 13 sheep and goat breeds, and 15 breed × system combinations. The information was collected in four sections. The first and second sections dealt with general elements of structure and management of the system and the flock/herd. The third section focused on selection and breeding management practices: criteria for culling and replacement of females, selection criteria for males, use of estimated breeding values and global indexes, and preferences for indexing new traits to increase the sustainability of their system. The fourth section aimed to collect socio-technical information. We used a data abstraction method to standardise the representation of these data. A mixed data factor analysis followed by a hierarchical ascending classification allowed the characterisation of three profiles of selection and breeding management: (1) a profile of producers (n = 93) of small flocks/herds, with little knowledge or use of genetic selection and improvement tools (selection index, artificial insemination, performance recording); these farmers do not feel that new traits are needed to improve the sustainability of their system. (2) a profile of producers (n = 34) of multibreed flocks/herds that rely significantly on grazing; they are familiar with genetic tools, they currently use AI; they would like the indexes to include more health and robustness characteristics, to make their animals more resistant and to increase the sustainability of their system. And (3) a profile of producers or breeders (n = 145) of large flocks/herds, with specific culling criteria; these farmers are satisfied with the current indexes to maintain the sustainability of their system. These results are elements that can be used by private breeding companies and associations to support the evolution of selection objectives to increase the resilience of animals and to improve the sustainability of the small ruminant breeding systems.

Farmer typology and drivers of agricultural mechanization use in Haiti.

Agricultural mechanization is recognized as an important technology to increase agricultural productivity, face labor shortages, and reduce post-harvest loss. However, variations among farms' characteristics and agricultural production systems suggest adopting a targeted strategy in mechanization programs for farmers. This research aimed to answer the following questions in the particular case of Haiti: are there different types of smallholder farmers in terms of mechanization use and socio-economic characteristics? What types of mechanization are used by farmers, and what drives their use among different types of farmers? What are the different types of farms in terms of mechanization use? We used typology construction methodology (principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA)) for a sample of 637 farmers and have identified four different clusters of farmers according to the characteristics of the farms they managed: "Little rain-fed farms" (cluster 1), "Little lowlands farms" (cluster 2), "Medium-sized farms in irrigated plains" (cluster 3), and "Large fragmented mountain farms". Farms in cluster 3 were those who used more agricultural mechanization, and the results of multinomial logistic regression (MNLR) model revealed that the significant drivers of this use were location, access to credit and low food security status. Mechanization use of farms in clusters 1 and 4 was distinctively driven by saving behavior and off-farm income, respectively. In the pooled sample, the drivers of mechanization were: regions or location, age of the farmers, irrigation, livestock, access to credit, off-farm income and food security status. This study contributes to the literature by testing new drivers of agricultural mechanization such as food security status, and off-farm income. The findings can be used to design appropriate mechanization strategies to increase productivity and face labor price/scarcity challenges. They suggest that mechanization policies should focus on agricultural equipment that are adapted to the specificities of the production systems of each farm type, and strengthen access to credit. Otherwise, mechanization will be predominantly used only in irrigated lowlands.

Bovine Leukemia Virus molecular detection and associated factors among dairy herd workers in Antioquia, Colombia.

The Bovine Leukemia Virus (BLV) affects mainly cattle, is transmitted by exposure to contaminated biological fluids, and generates lymphomas in 5 % of infected animals. The zoonotic potential of BLV has been studied, and it is currently unknown if it circulates in human workers on dairy herds in Antioquia. Objective: To determine the frequency of BLV detection, the genotypes of the virus, and the factors associated with its detection in workers for dairy herds in Antioquia, Colombia. Through a cross-sectional study in 51 dairy herds, 164 adults were recruited. A peripheral blood sample was collected from each participant for molecular detection of the BLV env and tax genes, and associated factors were explored through bivariate and multivariate mixed Poisson model analyses. The analysis showed that 82 % (134/164) of the participants were men, with an average age of 40. Using qPCR, the constitutive gene GAPDH was amplified to evaluate the presence of amplification inhibitors in the DNA samples. Using nested PCR, the amplification of the env viral gene was obtained in 13 % (22/164) of the total samples analyzed, while all the samples tested negative for tax. The amplicons of the env gene were sequenced, and the identity compatible with BLV was verified by BLAST analysis (NCBI). Using molecular phylogeny analysis, based on maximum likelihood and haplotype network analysis, it was identified that BLV genotype 1 is present in the evaluated population. 16 % (26/164) of the participants reported having ever had an accident with surgical material during work with cattle; this variable was associated with BLV positivity even after adjusting for other variables (PRa =2.70, 95 % CI= 1.01- 7.21). Considering that other studies have reported the circulation of BLV genotype 1 in cattle from this same region and the present report in humans from dairy herds, the results suggest a possible zoonotic transmission of BLV genotype 1 in Antioquia, reinforcing the need to continue investigating to determine the potential role of this virus as an etiological agent of disease in livestock farmers in the department.

Do predator attacks on productive species and the respective economic losses influence the psychological distress of farmers in Uruguay? A cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: In Uruguay, productive animals are attacked by various predators, causing injuries and financial losses, leading to great concern for farmers. The objective of this study was to determine, using a cross-sectional study, if predator attacks on productive animals during the year 2021 influenced the psychological distress of farmers. METHODS: Four hundred and forty-two farmers from around the country were surveyed with questions according to the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (dependent variable), and predator attacks received in 2021 (independent variable). RESULTS: Of the total number of farmers surveyed, approximately 49% (216/442) had animals that had been attacked by predators. Farmers whose productive species were attacked in 2021 had higher levels of psychological distress than those whose animals were not attacked (p<0.01). Additionally, farmers who reported the highest levels of psychological distress had more deaths of productive species (and more financial losses) from predator attacks in 2021 than those who did not. CONCLUSION: The losses of productive species and the financial costs negatively influenced the psychological distress of farmers. This information highlights the need to generate public policies about farmers wellbeing that help them in these situations.

Chromosomal Damage, Chromosome Instability, and Polymorphisms in GSTP1 and XRCC1 as Biomarkers of Effect and Susceptibility in Farmers Exposed to Pesticides.

In the department of Boyacá, Colombia, agriculture stands as one of the primary economic activities. However, the escalating utilization of pesticides within this sector has sparked concern regarding its potential correlation with elevated risks of genotoxicity, chromosomal alterations, and carcinogenesis. Furthermore, pesticides have been associated with a broad spectrum of genetic polymorphisms that impact pivotal genes involved in pesticide metabolism and DNA repair, among other processes. Nonetheless, our understanding of the genotoxic effects of pesticides on the chromosomes (as biomarkers of effect) in exposed farmers and the impact of genetic polymorphisms (as susceptibility biomarkers) on the increased risk of chromosomal damage is still limited. The aim of our study was to evaluate chromosomal alterations, chromosomal instability, and clonal heterogeneity, as well as the presence of polymorphic variants in the GSTP1 and XRCC1 genes, in peripheral blood samples of farmers occupationally exposed to pesticides in Aquitania, Colombia, and in an unexposed control group. Our results showed statistically significant differences in the frequency of numerical chromosomal alterations, chromosomal instability, and clonal heterogeneity levels between the exposed and unexposed groups. In addition, we also found a higher frequency of chromosomal instability and clonal heterogeneity in exposed individuals carrying the heterozygous GSTP1 AG and XRCC1 (exon 10) GA genotypes. The evaluation of chromosomal alterations and chromosomal instability resulting from pesticide exposure, combined with the identification of polymorphic variants in the GSTP1 and XRCC1 genes, and further research involving a larger group of individuals exposed to pesticides could enable the identification of effect and susceptibility biomarkers. Such markers could prove valuable for monitoring individuals occupationally exposed to pesticides.

Hearing Difficulties Among Farmworkers in the México-US Southwest Border Region.

Migrant and seasonal farmworkers are a vulnerable population with a potentially high risk for hearing loss due to farm-related noise exposures. Occupational noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is permanent, and it is associated with an increased risk for injuries on the job, as well as communication difficulties, isolation, and depression. The México/US border region is one of the most productive agricultural regions in the country, however, no known studies have explored hearing loss among farmworkers in this area. This pilot study was a first step toward measuring and addressing hearing loss and noise exposure among this region's farmworkers. We conducted a cross-sectional survey to estimate the prevalence of subjective hearing difficulties among Yuma County, Arizona farmworkers. Survey interviews took place during a late-night farmworker health fair from 2 am to 6 am to accommodate local farms' labor schedules. Multivariable regression adjusted for demographic and work covariates estimated subjective hearing loss prevalence ratios. Among 132 farmworker participants, 36% reported they have or might have hearing loss, and 62% reported no hearing loss. Subjective hearing loss prevalence was lower in farmworkers who report not working in noise compared to prevalence in farmworkers who work in noise [prevalence ratio, 0.44 (95% CI 0.23-0.82)]. This report contributes to understanding the perception of hearing-related health and occupational exposures among farmworkers in the México-US Southwest border region. The information from this line of research will inform appropriate safety measures known to lower the risk of experiencing occupational NIHL.

Human Pesticide Exposure in Bolivia: A Scoping Review of Current Knowledge, Future Challenges and Research Needs.

Numerous studies have shown that pesticide exposure is linked to adverse health outcomes. Nevertheless, in Bolivia, where there is an increasing use of pesticides, the literature is sparse. To address knowledge gaps and guide future research in Bolivia, we conducted a scoping review spanning 22 years (January 2000 to December 2022). Our search identified 39 peer-reviewed articles, 27 reports/documents on Bolivian regulations, and 12 other documents. Most studies focused on farmers and revealed high pesticide exposure levels, assessed through biomarkers of exposure, susceptibility, and effect. The literature explored a range of health effects due to pesticide exposure, spanning from acute to chronic conditions. Many studies highlighted the correlation between pesticide exposure and genotoxic damage, measured as DNA strand breaks and/or micronuclei formation. This was particularly observed in farmers without personal protection equipment (PPE), which increases the risk of developing chronic diseases, including cancer. Recent findings also showed the alarming use of banned or restricted pesticides in Bolivian crops. Despite existing Bolivian regulations, the uncontrolled use of pesticides persists, leading to harmful health effects on the population and increasing land and water pollution. This review underscores the need for the stringent enforcement of regulations and continued research efforts, and it provides a scientific foundation for decision-making by relevant authorities.

Advances and challenges in animal source food inspection legislation for Brazilian small-scale and artisanal producers.

The strict sanitary inspection legislation of animal source food has been considered a trade barrier for smallholder farmers and small-scale producers in Brazil. In this sense, law flexibilization is suggested to facilitate national trade of these products. We conducted a social and sanitary analysis, presenting the current Brazilian conjuncture and difficulties for animal source food Brazilian inspection law flexibilization. By discussing inequalities, human rights issues, animal source food legislation, and international food safety standards, we evidenced critical barriers for legislative reform in Brazil. Among these barriers, the main ones are social inequalities; high zoonotic risk of animal source food products; the Brazilian political structure and its reflection on different inspection practices among country jurisdictions; and the lack of inspection services in most Brazilian municipalities. At the same time, we present positive updates in the normative framework, and point out game-changers to modify the actual safety and trade situations of Brazilian small-scale and artisanal animal source food products, including policies to strengthen state and municipal inspection services and harmonization initiatives based on international standards and national legislation. We also suggest policies to implement inspection services in municipalities, whether by municipal action or by a consortium, as well as policies to strengthen technical assistance and rural extension for small-scale and artisanal producers. These policies aim to reduce technical and sanitary education inequalities and build a fairer animal source food system.

Impact of heat and a rest-shade-hydration intervention program on productivity of piece-paid industrial agricultural workers at risk of chronic kidney disease of nontraditional origin.

OBJECTIVES: Assess the impact of environmental heat and a rest-shade-hydration (RSH) intervention against heat stress on productivity of piece-paid Mesoamerican sugarcane cutters. These workers are at a high risk of chronic kidney disease of non-traditional origin (CKDnt), from the severe heat stress they experience due to heavy work under hot conditions. RSH interventions in these populations improve kidney health outcomes, but their impact on productivity has yet to be examined. METHODS: We accessed routine productivity data from seed (SC, N = 749) and burned (BCC, N = 535) sugarcane cutters observed over five harvest seasons with increasing RSH intervention at a large Nicaraguan sugarcane mill. Hourly field-site wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) was recorded by mill staff and summarized as a daily mean. Mixed linear regression was used to model daily productivity, adjusting for age (18-29, 30-44, and >45 years), sex, WBGT (<28, 28-29, 29-30, 30-31, and >31 °C) on the same and preceding day, harvest season (2017-18 to 2021-22), month, and acclimatization status (<1, 1-2, and >2 weeks). RESULTS: There was an inverse dose-response relationship between SC productivity and WBGT on the same and preceding days, decreasing by approximately 3%/°C WBGT. Productivity increased during the study period, i.e. coinciding with RSH scale-up, by approximately 19% in SC and 9% in BCC. CONCLUSION: Agricultural worker productivity was expected lower on hotter days, strengthening the interest in all stakeholders to mitigate increasing global temperatures and their impact. Despite decreasing the total time allocated for work each day, an RSH intervention appears to result in increased productivity and no apparent loss in productivity.

Association of pesticide exposure with neurobehavioral outcomes among avocado farmworkers in Mexico.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: To date, few studies have focused on the health effects of pesticide exposure among avocado farmworkers. We examined the association of exposure to insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides with cognitive and mental health outcomes among these avocado workers from Michoacan, Mexico. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 105 avocado farmworkers between May and August 2021. We collected data on self-reported pesticide use during the 12 months prior to the baseline survey and estimated annual exposure-intensity scores (EIS) using a semi-quantitative exposure algorithm. We calculated specific gravity adjusted average concentrations of 12 insecticide, fungicide, or herbicide metabolites measured in urine samples collected during two study visits (8-10 weeks apart). We assessed participants' cognitive function and psychological distress using the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery and the Brief Symptom Inventory 18 (BSI-18), respectively. We examined individual associations of EIS and urinary pesticide metabolites with neurobehavioral outcomes using generalized linear regression models. We also implemented Bayesian Weighted Quantile Sum (BWQS) regression to evaluate the association between a pesticide metabolite mixture and neurobehavioral outcomes. RESULTS: In individual models, after adjusting for multiple comparisons, higher concentrations of hydroxy-tebuconazole (OH-TEB, metabolite of fungicide tebuconazole) were associated with higher anxiety (IRR per two-fold increase in concentrations = 1.26, 95% CI:1.08, 1.48) and Global Severity Index (GSI) (IRR = 1.89, 95% CI:1.36, 2.75) scores, whereas higher concentrations of 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCPy, metabolite of chlorpyrifos) were associated with lower GSI scores (IRR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.56, 0.85). In BWQS analyses, we found evidence of a mixture association of urinary pesticide metabolites with higher anxiety (IRR = 1.72, 95% CrI: 1.12, 2.55), depression (IRR = 4.60, 95% CrI: 2.19, 9.43), and GSI (IRR = 1.99, 95% CrI: 1.39, 2.79) scores. OH-TEB and hydroxy-thiabendazole (metabolite of fungicide thiabendazole) combined contributed 54%, 40%, and 54% to the mixture effect in the anxiety symptoms, depression symptoms, and overall psychological distress models, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We found that exposure to tebuconazole and thiabendazole, fungicides whose effects have been rarely studied in humans, may be associated with increased psychological distress among avocado farmworkers. We also observed that exposure to chlorpyrifos may be associated with decreased psychological distress.

Presenteeism and Low Work Performance Among Fruit Farm Workers in Northeast Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: The "decision" to go to work, or remain absent, when unwell undermines worker energy. I is therefore understandable that low work performance is one of the main consequences of the act of presenteeism. This study evaluated the association between presenteeism, and absolute and relative work performance among fruit farm workers in Northeast Brazil. METHODS: A cross-sectional study investigated 340 paid employees of both sexes, aged 18 years or over, who worked during the 2019 irrigated fruit harvest in the municipality of Petrolina, Northeast Brazil. Absolute and relative work performance were measured using the Health and Work Performance Questionnaire. Workers who answered "one or more days" to the question "How many days have you worked this season when you were injured or unwell?" were considered presenteeists. Poisson regression with robust variance models was used to estimate the prevalence ratios of the main associations, adjusted for potential confounders. RESULTS: Presenteeist workers presented lower absolute and relative work performance than non-presenteeist workers according to the strata for most of the investigated factors. The associations between presenteeism, and absolute (adjusted prevalence ratio = 1.31) and relative work performance (adjusted prevalence ratio = 1.45) remained strong, even after multiple adjustments for other relevant variables. CONCLUSION: Presenteeist fruit culture workers self-assessed their work performance as lower than non-presenteeist ones.

Psychosocial Determinants of Mental Healthcare Use Among Mexican-origin Women from Farmworker Families in Southern California.

Little is known about the contribution of psychosocial factors related to mental healthcare use among Mexican-origin women from farmworker families. Therefore, this study assessed relationships between acculturative stress, depressive symptoms, mental healthcare service use, and preferences for seeking care. Linear and logistic regression models and chi-square tests were performed to analyze survey data from 78 Mexican-origin women from farmworker families. Women were recruited in collaboration with promotoras and completed measures of acculturative stress, depressive symptoms, and mental healthcare use and preferences. Overall, 29.5% of the sample reported clinically significant depressive symptomatology. Acculturative stress was positively associated with depressive symptoms (b = 0.43, 95%CI = 0.27,0.59) after controlling for years in the U.S., primary language, and demographic characteristics. In addition, acculturative stress was associated with lower odds of mental healthcare use (OR = 0.96) after controlling for years in the U.S. and depressive symptoms. However, this association was no longer statistically significant when controlling for health insurance status and access to transportation. Mexican-origin women with high levels of acculturative stress were significantly more likely to seek care from a psychiatrist/psychologist than their peers (54.3% vs. 45.7%); however, this preference was not indicative of their use of mental healthcare services. Results suggest that acculturative stress is a risk factor for depressive symptoms and might contribute to a delay in seeking mental healthcare services in Mexican-origin women from farmworker families. Thus, interventions for this group should address aspects of acculturative stress as a strategy to increase mental health services use.

Redox imbalance and inflammation: A link to depression risk in brazilian pesticide-exposed farmers.

This study aims to elucidate the mechanisms linking occupational pesticide exposure to depression among rural workers from Maravilha, Brazil. We assessed the mental health, oxidative, and inflammatory profiles of farmers exposed to pesticides (N = 28) and compared them to an urban control group without occupational exposure to pesticides (N = 25). Data on sociodemographic, occupational history, and clinical records were collected. Emotional states were evaluated using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Biochemical, hematological, inflammatory, and redox parameters were examined in blood samples from both groups. Results showed educational disparities between groups and unveiled a concerning underutilization of personal protective equipment (PPEs) among farmers. Glyphosate was the predominant pesticide used by farmers. Farmers exhibited higher BDI scores, including more severe cases of depression. Additionally, elevated levels of creatinine, ALT, AST, and LDH were observed in farmers, suggesting potential renal and hepatic issues due to pesticide exposure. Oxidative stress markers, such as increased lipid peroxidation and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, along with decreased catalase (CAT) activity and ascorbic acid levels, were noted in the pesticide-exposed group compared to controls. Elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines, particularly IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α, were also observed in pesticide-exposed group. Our findings suggest that inflammation, oxidative distress and lower educational levels may be associated with depression in pesticide-exposed farmers. This study highlights the impact of occupational pesticide exposure on the mental health of rural workers. The underuse of PPEs and the link between depressive symptoms, inflammation, and oxidative stress underscore the urgent need for improved safety measures in agricultural practices. Addressing these issues will contribute to a deeper understanding of the intricate relationship between environmental exposures and mental health outcomes.