Association of Long-Term Pesticide Exposure and Biologic Parameters in Female Farm Workers in Tanzania: A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Abstract:The study aimed to assess the association of long-term pesticide exposure (≥5 years) with hematological, serum biochemical parameters and acetylcholinesterase activity in farm workers. These pesticides included organophosphorus pesticides, carbamates, pyrethroids, dithiocarbamates, and other pesticides such as endosulfan. Applying a cross-sectional study design, 69 females from a pesticide-exposed farm population and 30 females from a district not using pesticides (reference group) were studied. The mean red cell corpuscular volume and hematocrit values were significantly lower (74.7 ± 9.1 fl; 95% CI 72.5-76.9 and 32.0% ± 4.6%; 95% CI 30.9-33.1, respectively) in the exposed compared to the reference group, whereas mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration and platelets were significantly higher (37.4 ± 3.8 g/dL; 95% CI 36.5-38.3 and 374.1 ± 95.3/L; 95% CI 351.2-396.9, respectively) in the exposed compared to the reference group. Mean serum glutamic oxaloacetate transaminase (20.7 ± 8.9 U/L; 95% CI 18.5-22.9) and creatinine (83.9 ± 6.6 µmol/L; 95% CI 82.3-85.5) were significantly higher in the exposed compared to the reference group. A higher mean esterase activity (AChE 0.6 ± 0.2 mM/min/mg protein; 95% CI 0.56-0.7; BChE 0.9 ± 0.4 mM/min/mg protein; 95% CI 0.9-1.1) was noted in the exposed group. Regression models suggest that occupational exposure (p < 0.001) could be a predictor of esterase (AChE and BChE) activity and biochemical changes (β = 0.4, 95% CI: 0.3-0.5; β = 0.7, 95% CI: 0.6-0.9, respectively). Long-term pesticide exposure affects the hemato-biochemical and esterase responses, establishing the need for further studies.

Altered Hematological and Biochemical Parameters in Schoolchildren Living in an Agricultural Community of Merida State, Venezuela

“…Many of our results were consistent with those reported by others among pesticide-exposed individuals compared to controls, such as: increased levels of Hb, HCT, RBC [67]; increased lymphocyte, monocyte and platelets counts [68,70,72]; reduced mean neutrophil counts, serum acetylcholinesterase activity and T4 [70]. Evidence from some animal studies were also consistent with our findings.…”

Erythrocyte Acetylcholinesterase Enzyme Activity, Serum Interleukin-6 Level and Respiratory Function of Myanmar Agricultural Workers Exposed to Organophosphate Pesticides

“…The result of present study is in accordance with previous studies done by Gomes et al (1997) . [14][15][16][17][18] On the other hand, this result is not coinciding with the finding of study done by Shadnia et al 2005. [19] This inconsistency may be due to the differences in amount of dosage or duration of exposure.…”

Non-target toxicity of novel insecticides

“…Another study reported a stronger link between indoor pyrethroid exposure and autism spectrum disorder in the children of mothers who received less folic acid during pregnancy than those who received more (183). In a cross-sectional study of female farm workers in Tanzania, occupational exposure to pesticides affected haematological and biochemical parameters such as haematocrit, red cell corpuscular volume, serum glutamic oxaloacetate transaminase, and esterase (184). One case of pyrethroid skin necrosis was reported in a 67-year old diabetic woman suffering from delusions of parasitosis (185).…”