Neurobehavioral and Menstrual Disorders among Adolescent Females Environmentally Exposed to Pesticides, Menoufia Governorate, Egypt.

BACKGROUND: Adolescent females living in agricultural areas where crops are routinely sprayed by pesticides are expected to be environmentally exposed to pesticides' health hazards partially as those occupationally exposed. OBJECTIVE: to assess menstrual and neurobehavioral disorders among adolescent females environmentally exposed to pesticides. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted on 100 pesticide exposed adolescent females who had one or more of family members are pesticides' seasonal applicators and 50 non- exposed adolescent females matched for age and education, served as controls at Menoufia governorate, Egypt during the period of pesticide application season of cotton crop from the first days of May to the end of September 2017. A self-administered and a series of neurobehavioral tests were administered and serum Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was assessed. RESULTS: A significant lower AChE activity levels were found in the exposed group than controls (Mean±SD=238.49± 23.83 vs 303.35±78.54 IU/L; respectively). There were significant higher mean scores of trail making test (parts 1 and 2) and significant lower mean scores of (similarities test, Benton visual retention test, block design test, Santa Ana dexterity test (dominant and non-dominant hands) and Beery visuo-motor imitation test in the exposed group than the controls (P<0.05). Also, the exposed group reported more prevalent irregular menstrual cycle (26.8%) and intermenstrual bleeding (28.2%) compared to the control participants (8.1% and 8.1%; respectively). CONCLUSION: Adolescent females living in agricultural areas and from families whose one or more members are pesticides' applicators have significantly lower neurobehavioral performance, report more prevalent menstrual irregularities and have lower levels of serum AChE compared to a control group. The neurobehavioral deficits demonstrated a dose-response relationship AChE levels in the exposed participants. This necessitates the need for implementation of health education programs to prevent or reduce health effects associated with pesticide exposure to adolescent females.

Cohort study on respiratory and neurological disorders among workers in a bone glue factory in Egypt.

BACKGROUND: Glues are strong, liquid adhesive derived from animal tissues. It has been shown that glue sniffing is associated with demyelinating polyneuropathy. The low molecular weight agents which cause occupational lung disease have generally included the isocyanates exposure to which could result in asthma among workers. Toluene is also used widely in glue and adhesive industry and households where toluene exposure and abuse can occur. OBJECTIVE: To study some respiratory and neurological disorders that may arise in workers in a bone glue factory in Queisna industrial zone, Menoufyia governorate, Egypt. METHODS: In a historical cohort study, the exposed participants (n = 50) were recruited from workers in a bone glue factory in Queisna industrial zone, Menoufyia governorate. The unexposed group was selected from workers' relatives who had never worked in glue industry. All participants completed a pre-designed questionnaire on personal and occupational histories. Pulmonary function tests as well as electromyography (EMG) were performed for all participants. Urinary hippuric acid was also measure in all participants. RESULTS: The prevalence of cough, asthmatic attacks and paresthesia were significantly higher among exposed than unexposed participants. Abnormal spirometric measurements (particularly towards obstruction), abnormal EMG and positive urinary hippuric acid were significantly more prevalent among exposed than unexposed group. CONCLUSION: Spirometry and EMG should be included in the periodic medical examination for exposed workers for early detection of respiratory and neurological disorders. Urinary hippuric acid could be a useful indicator of the nerve conduction abnormalities and should be measured periodically for these workers.

Environmental lead exposure among primary school children in Shebin El-Kom District, Menoufiya Governorate, Egypt.

BACKGROUND: Lead still remains an important problem for poor, inner-city, ethnic minority children, with a particular emphasis on lead paint and dust. In Egypt, there is no national survey about the prevalence of elevated blood lead level among children. OBJECTIVE: To assess the environmental lead level as well as to determine blood lead level among primary school children and find out its relationship with their intelligent quotient (IQ), hemoglobin level, hearing impairment and school performance. METHODS: 190 primary school children from rural and urban areas were selected and their blood lead levels (BLL), hemoglobin concentrations, IQ, hearing threshold and school performance were measured. Also, environmental lead level was measured in the school and home. RESULTS: The mean value of environmental lead (µg/m3) in urban schools air was significantly higher than that in rural areas. BLL had a significant negative correlation with hemoglobin level and IQ; it was positively correlated with the hearing threshold. With increasing BLL, the school performance of children decreased significantly. CONCLUSION: Exposure to lead would deteriorate IQ, school performance and hearing level of school children. Even in the absence of overt clinical manifestations of lead toxicity, lead intoxication should be among differential diagnosis in children presenting anemia, intellectual impairment, poor academic performance and hearing impairment.

Clinical and biochemical parameters of children and adolescents applying pesticides.

BACKGROUND: The primary agricultural product in Egypt is the cotton crop. Children and adolescents work seasonally in the cotton fields applying pesticides. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of pesticide exposure on clinical and biochemical parameters in children and adolescents applying pesticides. METHODS: Male children currently applying pesticides and aged between 9 and 19 years (n = 50) were recruited for this study. They were asked to complete work, health, and exposure questionnaires; examined for any medical and neurological problems with particular attention to sensory and motor functions including cranial nerves, sensory and motor system, and reflexes. From each participant, a blood sample was taken to measure acetylcholinesterase activity, and liver and kidney functions. Children who have never worked in agriculture (n = 50), matched on age, education, and socioeconomic status were also studied and served as controls. RESULTS: More neuromuscular disorders were identified in pesticide applicators than controls. A significant lower level of acetylcholinesterase was found in the applicator group compared to the controls. There was also a significant difference in hematological, renal and hepatic indices in the exposed children compared to the control children. Working more days in the current season and also working more years as a pesticide applicator were both associated with an increase in the prevalence of neuromuscular abnormalities and significant changes in the laboratory tests. CONCLUSION: Children and adolescent pesticide applicators working in farms of Egypt are at risk of developing serious health problems similar to those of adults.

Hearing thresholds of workers in a printing facility.

Forty-five exposed workers from a printing facility at Menoufia University and 45 controls were chosen for this study. All subjects underwent evaluations (personal histories and clinical examinations) and laboratory tests to determine blood lead levels and pure tone hearing thresholds. The work environment was tested for total respirable lead in fumes and particles and for noise levels. Total respirable lead was as high as 23.7 microg/m3; the noise level was as high as 50 dB. The exposed workers' mean blood lead level was significantly higher than that of the controls (36.94 +/- 4.36 and 11.51 +/- 1.22 microg/dl, respectively) and higher than the biological exposure index of 30 microg/dl, which was established by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. There was a significant increase in hearing thresholds among exposed workers compared to controls at frequencies of 1000-8000 Hz. Within the exposed workers, a significant association was found between hearing thresholds and blood lead levels; the hearing threshold rose as the blood lead level increased, especially at 8000 Hz. As duration of work increased (that is, years of exposure), the exposed workers' hearing thresholds increased, reaching a maximum at 8000 Hz. In conclusion, lead exposure can lead to an increase in hearing threshold level, even when exposure to noise is below the threshold limit value.