Occupational Exposure to Pesticides as a Risk Factor for Sleep Disorders

Abstract

Inadequate sleep has been linked to a variety of impairments in bodily functions, including endocrine, metabolic, higher cortical function, and neurological disorders. For this reason, the aim of this study was to analyze the link between occupational pesticide exposure and sleep health among farmers in Almeria. A cross-sectional study was conducted among a population living on the coast of Almeria (southeastern Spain), where about 33,321 hectares of land are used for intensive agriculture in plastic greenhouses. A total of 380 individuals participated in the study: 189 greenhouse workers and 191 control subjects. The participants were contacted during their annual scheduled occupational health survey. Data on sleep disturbances were collected using the Spanish version of the Oviedo Sleep Questionnaire. Agricultural workers were found to be at a significantly higher risk of insomnia, especially among those who did not wear protective gloves (OR = 3.12; 95% C.I. = 1.93–3.85; p = 0.04) or masks (OR = 2.43; 95% C.I. = 1.19–4.96; p = 0.01). The highest risk of insomnia related to pesticide applicators was observed in those who did not wear a mask (OR = 4.19; 95% C.I. = 1.30–13.50; p = 0.01) or goggles (OR = 4.61; 95% C.I. = 1.38–10.40; p = 0.01). This study supports previous findings indicating an increased risk of sleep disorder in agricultural workers exposed to pesticides at work.

Pesticides impacts on human health and the environment with their mechanisms of action and possible countermeasures

“…Several studies have been carried out to determine the effects of pesticides on neurological illnesses. Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease are the most common disorders connected to pesticide neurotoxicity [ 143 , 144 ].…”

Use and Management of Pesticides in Agricultural Areas of the State of Guerrero, Mexico

“…Farmers from three agricultural areas (La Ceniza, Chichihualco and Quechultenango), 90 to 99% did not use personal protective equipment (PPE) when applying the pesticide, and therefore had the highest prevalence of acute poisoning 61.54%, 18.45% and 21.0% respectively; Other authors such as Evaristo et al (2022), in their research, report that 32.5% of farmers in the southern region of Brazil do not use PPE due to the excessive heat it causes and 21.5% reported having suffered pesticide poisoning. Zheng et al (2023) al (2021) points out that the low use of PPE is mainly due to farmers' lack of awareness, availability and high cost, and the discomfort they experience when using it due to the heat. Of the areas studied, farmers in the community of La Ceniza had the highest prevalence of Acute Pesticide Intoxication (IAP), this is possibly due to the fact that 92.3% of these farmers do not use personal protective equipment and it is the community where A greater variety of pesticides are used (14 different pesticides), and the application is also carried out against the wind (12%); They do not respect the re-entry time to the crop since they return to the fumigated crop in three days on average, and 62% of farmers mix or combine pesticides when applying them; Therefore, the toxicity of the product increases.…”

Urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites were associated with short sleep duration and self-reported trouble sleeping in US adults: data from NHANES 2005–2016 study population

“…Higher levels of these metals in human bodies make individuals more susceptible to sleep disorders ( 17 , 54 , 60 , 61 ). Additionally, exposure to certain pesticides has been associated with difficulty falling asleep, frequent night awakenings, and decreased overall sleep quality ( 19 , 62–64 ). This study focused on the correlation between urinary PAH metabolites with self-reported sleep problems and SSD.…”