Organophosphate and carbamate insecticide exposure is related to lung function change among smallholder farmers: a prospective study

Abstract

Introduction and aimExposure to some insecticides may cause airway obstruction, but existing evidence is limited by cross-sectional designs and inadequate confounder control. We investigated the relation between organophosphate and carbamate insecticides and pulmonary function in a prospective study accounting for important confounders.MethodsIn a cohort of 364 smallholder farmers in Uganda (69% women), participants underwent pre-bronchodilator spirometry at baseline (September/October 2018) and at two follow-up visits (November/December 2018 and January/February 2019). Exposure to carbamate and organophosphate insecticides was assessed using haemoglobin-adjusted erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase (AChE/Hb). Less than 3% of participants were lost to follow-up. We calculated Z-scores for FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC using the Global Lung Function Initiative equations. Data were analysed in linear mixed and fixed effect models accounting for family relationships and repeated measures of exposure and outcome.ResultsLow AChE/Hb was significantly associated with low FEV1 Z-score in both unadjusted and adjusted analyses. Compared with individuals with AChE/Hb 25.90 U/g (50th percentile, reference), those with lower AChE/Hb 24.50 U/g (35th percentile) had mean FEV1 Z-score 0.045 (0.003 to 0.087) lower, and persons with higher AChE/Hb 27.30 U/g (65th percentile) had a mean FEV1 Z-score 0.043 (−0.002 to 0.087) higher compared with the reference. Similar, but numerically smaller and statistically non-significant effects were seen for Z-scores of FVC and FEV1/FVC.ConclusionExposure to organophosphate and carbamate insecticides may lead to lung function decline. Our results add to the growing evidence of health effects in relation to exposure to organophosphate and carbamate insecticides, underlining the importance of minimising exposure.

Plant-Derived Pesticides as an Alternative to Pest Management and Sustainable Agricultural Production: Prospects, Applications and Challenges

“…It presents low toxicity to mammals and works rapidly against houseflies and grain storage pests, in spite of its short residual activity. Regarding its mechanism of action, coumaran may also be compared to the monoterpene 1,8-cineole [ 31 ] or other synthetic pesticides such as organophosphates and carbamates [ 32 ]. Moreover, Khorshid, et al [ 33 ] have presented the inhibitory activity of methanolic extract from Cassia fistula L. (Fabaceae) roots and proposed the indole alkaloids as new potential active agents.…”

Penggunaan Pestisida, Pelindung Diri dan Keluhan Subjektif Pada Petani Padi di Kabupaten Ogan Ilir

“…Keracunan organofosfat adalah masalah kesehatan masyarakat utama di Afrika Selatan 6 dan keracunan organofosfat dan karbamat akut juga dilaporkan di Serbia 7 . Selain itu paparan organofosfat dan karbamat dalam waktu yang lama berhubungan dengan perubahan fungsi paru-paru petani 8 . Paparan pestisida juga berhubungan dengan efek kesehatan petani dan masyarakat disekitar pertanian Costa Rica diantaranya keluhan pernapasan, alergi dan keracunan akut 9 .…”

Precision and accuracy of FEV1 measurements from the Vitalograph copd-6 mini-spirometer in a healthy Ugandan population

“…Data was collected as a part of the "Pesticide Exposure, Asthma and Diabetes in Uganda" (PEXADU) project, which was a study on the possible associations between pesticide exposure, pulmonary function and diabetes in a cohort of smallholder farmers in Uganda [5][6][7]. Details regarding participant recruitment and inclusion/exclusion have been presented elsewhere [5][6][7]. In brief, we recruited 364 farmers from the Wakiso District in central Uganda with the help of two local farmer's organizations.…”

“…A medical doctor assessed the quality of MicroDL spirometry according to modified ATS criteria [8], as previously reported elsewhere [6,7]. All MicroDL results were excluded if the participant had performed less than two acceptable blows, or if the results were non-repeatable, defined as a difference in the best and second-best FEV 1 or FVC > 0.25 liters.…”

“…Parts of Tables 1 and 2 have previously been published elsewhere and are reproduced here with permission [7].…”