Insecticide Exposure and Risk of Asthmatic Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Hongsibsong

2022

Front. Public Health

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Inappropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) among pesticide applicators may increase urinary organophosphate (OP) metabolite levels and subsequently increase risks of cognitive performance. Therefore, this study aims to (1) compare urinary OP metabolite levels and cognitive performance between pre-and post-pesticide application seasons; (2) PPE use and factors associated with PPE use linked to increased urinary OP metabolite levels during pesticide application; and (3) the association between urinary OP metabolite levels and cognitive performance. This longitudinal follow-up study on 79 pesticide applicators was carried out between October 2021 and January 2022. The applicators were interviewed, collected urine samples, and tested for cognitive performance in pre-and post-pesticide application seasons. The results found that the levels of urinary OP metabolites in post-application season were significantly higher than those in pre-application season (p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis found that increased total diethylphosphate (DEP) and total dialkylphosphate (DAP) levels were associated with not wearing gloves while mixing pesticides [beta (β) ± standard error (SE) = −43.74 ± 18.52, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = −80.84, −6.64 for total DEP and −50.84 ± 19.26, 95% CI = −89.41, −12.26 for total DAP] and also with not wearing a mask while spraying pesticides (β ± SE = −31.76 ± 12.24, 95% CI = −56.28, −7.24 for total DEP and −33.20 ± 12.63, 95% CI = −58.49, −7.92 for total DAP) after adjusting for covariates. The scores of Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Thai, Thai Mental State Examination, and Mini-Cognitive test in post-pesticide application were significantly lower than those in pre-pesticide application (p < 0.001). However, no association was found between urinary OP metabolite levels and cognitive decline. Our findings indicate that inappropriate PPE use during pesticide application was the major factor affecting urinary OP metabolite levels among pesticide applicators. Wearing gloves when mixing pesticides and a mask when spraying pesticides were key factors in reducing occupational exposure to OP. Exposure to OP at low levels and for short periods of exposure may not affect cognitive performance significantly. Therefore, long-term exposure and exposure to high levels of OP should be investigated further.

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exposure to organophosphate insecticides, inappropriate personal protective equipment use, and cognitive performance among pesticide applicators

Chittrakul

Hongsibsong

2022

Front. Public Health

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“…As regards chronic health effects, the evidence is inconsistent, and the mechanisms involved are unclear (7,8). In several human studies, pesticides have been shown to be related to chronic adverse effects on the immune, neurological, respiratory, endocrine, and reproductive systems (7,(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16). Symptoms indicating neurobehavioral, motor, and sensory dysfunction, have been reviewed in some symptom prevalence studies (11,(17)(18)(19).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Differences in Knowledge, Awareness, Practice, and Health Symptoms in Farmers Who Applied Organophosphates and Pyrethroids on Farms

Thammachai

Rohitrattana

et al. 2022

Front. Public Health

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ObjectiveThis cross-sectional study aimed to examine farmers' knowledge, awareness, practices regarding pesticide use, and prevalence of health symptoms related to pesticides exposure among farmers who applied organophosphates (OP) and pyrethroids (PY).MethodsData regarding demographic variables and health symptoms pertinent to pesticide use was collected from 67 farmers who applied OP and 50 farmers who applied PY using interviews from January to March 2021.ResultsThe farmers who applied OP had lower knowledge, awareness, and prevention practices regarding pesticide use than those who applied PY. After adjustment of covariate variables, the farmers who applied OP had a significantly higher prevalence of respiratory conditions (OR = 8.29 for chest pain, OR = 6.98 for chest tightness, OR = 27.54 for dry throat, and OR = 5.91 for cough), neurological symptoms (OR = 10.62 for fatigue and OR = 6.76 for paresthesia), and neurobehavioral symptoms (OR = 13.84 for poor concentration, OR = 3.75 for short term memory, and OR = 8.99 for insomnia) related to pesticide exposure than those who applied PY.ConclusionOur findings suggest that OP had a more adverse effect on human health than PY, resulting in a higher prevalence of pesticide-related symptoms. The outcomes of this study have the benefit of providing vital information for all stakeholders with regard to the implementation of safe practices in the utilization of personal protective equipment (PPE) and pesticide use in a health intervention and health promotion program.

“…Acute poisoning is caused by a single exposure to a high dosage of a pesticide, while chronic conditions are adverse health effects resulting from long-term exposure to pesticides [ 12 , 13 ]. Long term exposure to pesticides can disrupt organ functions such as those in the nervous system, endocrine system, respiratory system, reproductive system, kidney system, cardiovascular system, and immune system, resulting in conditions such as cancer, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, coronary heart disease, chronic kidney disease, respiratory diseases, autoimmune diseases, and systemic lupus erythematosus [ 6 , 14 , 15 , 16 ]. RA is a major immune system disease, according to early studies suggesting that pesticides damage humans’ immune system.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pesticide Exposure and Risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Chittrakul

Sirikul

2022

Toxics

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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease that affects people all over the world and can be caused by a variety of factors. Exposure to pesticides is one of the risk factors for the development of RA. However, the evidence of exposure to pesticides linked with the development of RA is still controversial. This study aimed to investigate the association between exposure to pesticides and RA by a systematic review of relevant literature and a meta-analysis. Full-text articles published in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar between 1956 and 2021 were reviewed and evaluated. A total of eight studies were eligible for inclusion (two cohort studies, four case-control studies, and two cross-sectional studies). The adjusted odds ratio for pesticide exposure on RA was 1.20 for insecticides (95% CI = 1.12–1.28), 0.98 for herbicides (95% CI = 0.89–1.08), 1.04 for fungicides (95% CI = 0.86–1.27), and 1.15 in for non-specific pesticides (95% CI = 1.09–1.21). There is some evidence to suggest that exposure to insecticides (especially fonofos, carbaryl, and guanidines) contributes to an increased risk of RA. However, the evidence is limited because of a small number of studies. Therefore, further epidemiological studies are needed to substantiate this conclusion.