The aim of the study was to determine possible DNA damage in floriculturists chronically exposed to pesticides. Leukocytes from 52 workers, 46 environmentally exposed, and 38 control individuals were evaluated with the comet assay. Serum from all individuals was also analyzed for pesticides using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. A statistically significant difference in DNA fragmentation in the pesticide exposed group compared to the other two groups (P < .001) was found. No differences between environmentally exposed and control individuals were detected. The statistical analysis showed no significant correlation between DNA damage and sex, age, drinking or smoking habits, as well as years of exposure. One or more pesticides were detected in 50% of the floriculturists, while in the rest of the individuals, a chemical related with the preparation of pesticides, such as additives, plasticizers, or solvents, was found. Our study shows that chronic exposure to pesticides produces DNA damage in floriculturists. It also suggests that this type of monitoring could be valuable in recommending preventive measures.

Birth defects are the number one cause of child mortality worldwide and in 2010 it was the second cause in Mexico. Congenital malformations are a public health issue, because they cause infant mortality, chronic disease and disability. The origin can be genetic, environmental or unknown causes. Among environmental contaminants, pesticides stand out. In this study, we determine the frequency and etiology of congenital malformations in newborns (NBs) of a floricultural community and we compare it with that in the urban community. For 18 months, the NBs were monitored at the Tenancingo General Hospital and the Mother and Child Gynecology and Obstetrics Hospital (IMIEM) in Toluca. The identification of these malformations was carried out in accordance with the WHO. In Tenancingo, 1149 NBs were viewed, where 20% had some kind of congenital malformations. While in the IMIEM, 5069 were reviewed and 6% had some malformation. According to the etiology, in Tenancingo, 69% were multifactorial, 28% were monogenetic and 2% were chromosomal. In the IMIEM, 47% were multifactorial, then 18.3% were monogenetic and 2.8% were chromosomal. There was a significant difference between the global frequency of malformations and the multifactorial etiology of both institutions. Our results show that congenital malformations in the NBs occurred more frequently in the floricultural zone and that because the percentage of multifactorial etiology is higher, it is likely there is an association with exposure to pesticides.

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) comprise a number of genes that codify for a group of isoenzymes that participate in phase II xenobiotic detoxification by means of conjugation with glutathione, producing hydrosoluble compounds. It has been demonstrated that some pesticides are substrates for GST isoenzymes. Floriculture is one of the main economic activities in the municipalities of Villa Guerrero and Atlacomulco; pesticides, applied as mixtures, are intensively used in this activity. In this study, total GST enzymatic activity and glutathione S-transferases theta 1 (GSTT1) enzymatic activity were calculated for a group of floriculture workers exposed to pesticides and for an unexposed group. The former comprised 169 floriculture workers, while the latter, 96 students. The value of the median GST enzymatic activity in the exposed group was 0.560 and 0.169 μmol/min/mL in the unexposed individuals. GSTT1 activity was 1.234 μmol/min/mL in the exposed group and 0.221 μmol/min/mL in the unexposed group. Mann-Whitney U test showed a significant difference between these groups, for both total GST and GSTT1, p < 0.001. Our results show that exposure to pesticides increases the activities of total GST and GSTT1 enzymes.

In Villa Guerrero municipality, floriculture is their first economic activity; there are intensively applied different pesticides alone and in mixtures. They fumigate every day, every second or third day, and men, women, children and third age people participate. The use of prohibited or restricted pesticides such as Tamaron, Temik and Curacron in agricultural activities brings health problems with them, especially in their reproductive health. The aim of this study was to determine whether occupational exposure to pesticides alters semen quality. It was held in an exposed group conformed by 30 male floriculturists and the non-exposed group were 30 university male students. All of the participants gave a semen sample and sign an informed consent. There was made a spermatobioscopy accord to the WHO/PAHO (2010). The spermiogram´s results in the exposed group showed: significant reduction in the sperm count, in the progressive fast and slow mobility as well as in the normal sperm average. On the other hand, there was a significant increase in the morphologic sperm abnormalities: big, small and double head; short, long and double tale, in comparison with the non-exposed group. Conclusion: it appears that the occupational exposure to pesticides changes the sperm quality.