Occupational pesticide use and self-reported olfactory impairment in US farmers

2020 ◽  
pp. oemed-2020-106818
Author(s):  
Srishti Shrestha ◽  
David M Umbach ◽  
Laura E Beane Freeman ◽  
Stella Koutros ◽  
Michael C R Alavanja ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pesticide Exposure ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid ◽  
Pesticide Use ◽  
Response Patterns ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Petroleum Distillates ◽  
Olfactory Impairment ◽  
2,4 Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid

ObjectivesPesticide exposure may impair human olfaction, but empirical evidence is limited. We examined associations between occupational use of 50 specific pesticides and olfactory impairment, both self-reported, among 20 409 participants in the Agricultural Health Study, a prospective cohort of pesticide applicators (mostly farmers, 97% male).MethodsWe used logistic regression models to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for associations between pesticide use at enrolment (1993–1997) and olfactory impairment reported two decades later (2013–2016), adjusting for baseline covariates.ResultsAbout 10% of participants reported olfactory impairment. The overall cumulative days of any pesticide use at enrolment were associated with a higher odds of reporting olfactory impairment (OR (highest vs lowest quartile): 1.17 (95% CI: 1.02 to 1.34), p-trend = 0.003). In the analyses of 50 specific pesticides, ever-use of 20 pesticides showed modest associations with olfactory impairment, with ORs ranging from 1.11 to 1.33. Of these, higher lifetime days of use of 12 pesticides were associated with higher odds of olfactory impairment compared with never use (p-trend ≤ 0.05), including two organochlorine insecticides (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and lindane), two organophosphate insecticides (diazinon and malathion), permethrin, the fungicide captan and six herbicides (glyphosate, petroleum distillates, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid and metribuzin), although many of these did not exhibit clear, monotonic exposure-response patterns.ConclusionOverall, we found relatively broad associations between pesticides and olfactory impairment, involving many individual pesticides and covering several chemical classes, suggesting that pesticides could affect olfaction through multiple pathways. Future epidemiological studies with objective measurement of olfaction are required to confirm these findings.

scholarly journals Environmental exposures contribute to respiratory and allergic symptoms among women living in the banana growing regions of Costa Rica

2021 ◽  
pp. oemed-2021-107611
Author(s):  
Brooke Alhanti ◽  
Berna van Wendel de Joode ◽  
Manuel Soto Martinez ◽  
Ana M Mora ◽  
Leonel Córdoba Gamboa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Pesticide Exposure ◽  
Environmental Exposures ◽  
Pesticide Use ◽  
High Exposure ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Urinary Levels ◽  
Polycyclic Aromatic ◽  
Health Cohort Study

ObjectivesThis research evaluates whether environmental exposures (pesticides and smoke) influence respiratory and allergic outcomes in women living in a tropical, agricultural environment.MethodsWe used data from 266 mothers from the Infants’ Environmental Health cohort study in Costa Rica. We evaluated environmental exposures in women by measuring seven pesticide and two polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons metabolites in urine samples. We defined ‘high exposure’ as having a metabolite value in the top 75th percentile. We collected survey data on respiratory and allergic outcomes in mothers as well as on pesticides and other environmental exposures. Using logistic regression models adjusted for obesity, we assessed the associations of pesticide exposure with multiple outcomes (wheeze, doctor-diagnosed asthma, high (≥2) asthma score based on symptoms, rhinitis, eczema and itchy rash).ResultsCurrent pesticide use in the home was positively associated with diagnosed asthma (OR=1.99 (95% CI=1.05 to 3.87)). High urinary levels of 5-hydroxythiabendazole (thiabendazole metabolite) and living in a neighbourhood with frequent smoke from waste burning were associated with a high asthma score (OR=1.84 (95%CI=1.05 to 3.25) and OR=2.31 (95%CI=1.11 to 5.16), respectively). Women who worked in agriculture had a significantly lower prevalence of rhinitis (0.19 (0.01 to 0.93)), but were more likely to report eczema (OR=2.54 (95%CI=1.33 to 4.89)) and an itchy rash (OR=3.17 (95%CI=1.24 to 7.73)).ConclusionsWhile limited by sample size, these findings suggest that environmental exposure to both pesticides and smoke may impact respiratory and skin-related allergic outcomes in women.

Neurologic symptoms in licensed pesticide applicators in the Agricultural Health Study

2007 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 243-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
F Kamel ◽  
L S Engel ◽  
B C Gladen ◽  
J A Hoppin ◽  
M CR Alavanja ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pesticide Exposure ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Pesticide Use ◽  
Pesticide Poisoning ◽  
Neurologic Symptoms ◽  
Agricultural Health ◽  
Organochlorine Insecticides ◽  
History Of ◽  
Agricultural Health Study ◽  
Pesticide Applicators

Exposure to high levels of many pesticides has both acute and long-term neurologic consequences, but little is known about the neurotoxicity of chronic exposure to moderate pesticide levels. We analysed cross-sectional data from 18 782 Caucasian, male, licensed pesticide applicators, enrolled in the Agricultural Health Study from 1993 to 1997. Applicators provided information on lifetime pesticide use, and 23 neurologic symptoms typically associated with pesticide intoxication. Increased risk of experiencing ≥10 symptoms during the year before enrollment was associated with cumulative pesticide use, personally mixing or applying pesticides, pesticide-related medical care, diagnosed pesticide poisoning, and events involving high personal pesticide exposure. Greatest risk was associated with use of organophosphate and organochlorine insecticides. Results were similar after stratification by pesticide use during the year before enrollment, or exclusion of applicators with a history of pesticide poisoning, or high-exposure events. Use of pesticide application methods likely to involve high personal exposure was associated with greater risk. Groups of symptoms reflecting several neurologic domains, including affect, cognition, autonomic and motor function, and vision, were also associated with pesticide exposure. These results suggest that neurologic symptoms are associated with cumulative exposure to moderate levels of organophosphate and organochlorine insecticides, regardless of recent exposure or history of poisoning.

scholarly journals Pesticide exposure and risk of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance in the Agricultural Health Study

Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 113 (25) ◽  
pp. 6386-6391 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ola Landgren ◽  
Robert A. Kyle ◽  
Jane A. Hoppin ◽  
Laura E. Beane Freeman ◽  
James R. Cerhan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Monoclonal Gammopathy ◽  
Pesticide Exposure ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Pesticide Exposures ◽  
Pesticide Applicators ◽  
Undetermined Significance

Abstract Pesticides are associated with excess risk of multiple myeloma, albeit inconclusively. We included 678 men (30-94 years) from a well-characterized prospective cohort of restricted-use pesticide applicators to assess the risk of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). Serum samples from all subjects were analyzed by electrophoresis performed on agarose gel; samples with a discrete or localized band were subjected to immunofixation. Age-adjusted prevalence estimates of MGUS were compared with MGUS prevalence in 9469 men from Minnesota. Associations between pesticide exposures and MGUS prevalence were assessed by logistic regression models adjusted for age and education level. Among study participants older than 50 years (n = 555), 38 were found to have MGUS, yielding a prevalence of 6.8% (95% CI, 5.0%-9.3%). Compared with men from Minnesota, the age-adjusted prevalence of MGUS was 1.9-fold (95% CI, 1.3- to 2.7-fold) higher among male pesticide applicators. Among applicators, a 5.6-fold (95% CI, 1.9- to 16.6-fold), 3.9-fold (95% CI, 1.5- to 10.0-fold), and 2.4-fold (95% CI, 1.1- to 5.3-fold) increased risk of MGUS prevalence was observed among users of the chlorinated insecticide dieldrin, the fumigant mixture carbon-tetrachloride/carbon disulfide, and the fungicide chlorothalonil, respectively. In summary, the prevalence of MGUS among pesticide applicators was twice that in a population-based sample of men from Minnesota, adding support to the hypothesis that specific pesticides are causatively linked to myelomagenesis.

scholarly journals Occupational pesticide exposure and subclinical hypothyroidism among male pesticide applicators

2017 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine C Lerro ◽  
Laura E Beane Freeman ◽  
Curt T DellaValle ◽  
Muhammad G Kibriya ◽  
Briseis Aschebrook-Kilfoy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Function ◽  
Methyl Bromide ◽  
Subclinical Hypothyroidism ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Pesticide Exposure ◽  
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Pesticide Use ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Pesticide Applicators

ObjectivesAnimal studies suggest that exposure to pesticides may alter thyroid function; however, few epidemiologic studies have examined this association. We evaluated the relationship between individual pesticides and thyroid function in 679 men enrolled in a substudy of the Agricultural Health Study, a cohort of licensed pesticide applicators.MethodsSelf-reported lifetime pesticide use was obtained at cohort enrolment (1993-1997). Intensity-weighted lifetime days were computed for 33 pesticides, which adjusts cumulative days of pesticide use for factors that modify exposure (eg, use of personal protective equipment). Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3) and antithyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) autoantibodies were measured in serum collected in 2010-2013. We used multivariate logistic regression to estimate ORs and 95% CIs for subclinical hypothyroidism (TSH >4.5 mIU/L) compared with normal TSH (0.4-<4.5 mIU/L) and for anti-TPO positivity. We also examined pesticide associations with TSH, T4 and T3 in multivariate linear regression models.ResultsHigher exposure to the insecticide aldrin (third and fourth quartiles of intensity-weighted days vs no exposure) was positively associated with subclinical hypothyroidism (ORQ3=4.15, 95% CI 1.56 to 11.01, ORQ4=4.76, 95% CI 1.53 to 14.82, ptrend <0.01), higher TSH (ptrend=0.01) and lower T4 (ptrend=0.04). Higher exposure to the herbicide pendimethalin was associated with subclinical hypothyroidism (fourth quartile vs no exposure: ORQ4=2.78, 95% CI 1.30 to 5.95, ptrend=0.02), higher TSH (ptrend=0.04) and anti-TPO positivity (ptrend=0.01). The fumigant methyl bromide was inversely associated with TSH (ptrend=0.02) and positively associated with T4 (ptrend=0.01).ConclusionsOur results suggest that long-term exposure to aldrin, pendimethalin and methyl bromide may alter thyroid function among male pesticide applicators.

scholarly journals Factors Associated with Levels of Organophosphate Pesticides in Household Dust in Agricultural Communities

2022 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 862
Author(s):  
Grace Kuiper ◽  
Bonnie N. Young ◽  
Sherry WeMott ◽  
Grant Erlandson ◽  
Nayamin Martinez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Exposure Assessment ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Pesticide Exposure ◽  
Geographic Location ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Pesticide Use ◽  
Household Dust ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Agricultural Communities ◽  
Adverse Health Outcomes

Organophosphate (OP) pesticides are associated with numerous adverse health outcomes. Pesticide use data are available for California from the Pesticide Use Report (PUR), but household- and individual-level exposure factors have not been fully characterized to support its refinement as an exposure assessment tool. Unique exposure pathways, such as proximity to agricultural operations and direct occupational contact, further complicate pesticide exposure assessment among agricultural communities. We sought to identify influencing factors of pesticide exposure to support future exposure assessment and epidemiological studies. Household dust samples were collected from 28 homes in four California agricultural communities during January and June 2019 and were analyzed for the presence of OPs. Factors influencing household OPs were identified by a data-driven model via best subsets regression. Key factors that impacted dust OP levels included household cooling strategies, secondary occupational exposure to pesticides, and geographic location by community. Although PUR data demonstrate seasonal trends in pesticide application, this study did not identify season as an important factor, suggesting OP persistence in the home. These results will help refine pesticide exposure assessment for future studies and highlight important gaps in the literature, such as our understanding of pesticide degradation in an indoor environment.

In Vitro Shoot Regeneration from Callus Derived from Marubakaido Apple Rootstock under Different Aluminium Concentrations

HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 460e-460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marisa F. de Oliveira ◽  
Gerson R. de L. Fortes ◽  
João B. da Silva
Keyword(s):  
Shoot Regeneration ◽  
Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid ◽  
Apple Rootstock ◽  
Under Five ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Previously Treated ◽  
2,4 Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid ◽  
In Vitro Shoot Regeneration

The aim of this work was to evaluate the organogenesis of Marubakaido apple rootstock under different aluminium concentratons. The explants were calli derived from apple internodes treated with either 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid or pichloram at 0.5 and 1.0 μM and under five different aluminium concentrations (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 mg/L). These calli were then treated with aluminium at 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 mg/L. It was observed shoot regeneration only for those calli previously treated with pichloram. There were no significant difference among the aluminium concentrations.

Characterization of the Reproductive Mode in Guayule In Vitro

HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 483a-483
Author(s):  
Roy N. Keys ◽  
Dennis T. Ray ◽  
David A. Dierig
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiments ◽  
Reproductive Mode ◽  
Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid ◽  
Initial Field ◽  
Breeding Lines ◽  
Reproductive Modes ◽  
Desert Southwest ◽  
2,4 Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid

Guayule (Parthenium argentatum Gray, Asteraceae) is a latex-producing perennial desert shrub that is potentially of economic importance as an industrial crop for the desert Southwest. It is known to possess complex reproductive modes. Diploids are predominantly sexual and self-incompatible, while polyploids show a range of apomictic potential and self-compatibility. This paper describes the development of a relatively rapid and simple technique for characterizing reproductive modes of breeding lines of P. argentatum. Initial field experiments were based on an auxin test used successfully to characterize reproductive mode in the Poaceae. The application of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid inhibited embryo formation in P. argentatum, but this was not the case with other auxins tested. Results of field experiments were ambiguous because: 1) the floral structure of P. argentatum is such that auxins might not have penetrated to the ovules, and 2) there was potential self-fertilization by pollen released within isolation bags. Therefore, in vitro culture of flower heads was tested because it provided much better control of environmental conditions, growth regulator application, and pollen release. Auxin alone, or in combination with gibberellic acid or kinetin, inhibited parthenogenesis in vitro. Embryo production did not vary using two substantially different nutrient media. In vitro flower head culture using a (Nitsch and Nitsch) liquid nutrient medium without growth regulators, enabled characterization of the reproductive mode of seven breeding lines, ranging from predominantly sexual to predominantly apomictic. The results of this technique were substantiated using RAPD analyzes of progeny arrays from controlled crosses.

The role of a metabolic intermediate in the biodegradation of inhibitory substrates

1997 ◽  
Vol 36 (10) ◽  
pp. 27-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Mungkarndee ◽  
S. M. Rao Bhamidimarri ◽  
A. J. Mawson ◽  
R. Chong
Keyword(s):  
The Other ◽  
Metabolic Product ◽  
Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid ◽  
Mutual Inhibition ◽  
Metabolic Intermediate ◽  
Batch Cultures ◽  
Ortho Cresol ◽  
2,4 Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid

Biodegradation of the mixed inhibitory substrates, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and para-chloro-ortho-cresol (PCOC) was studied in aerobic batch cultures. Each substrate added beyond certain concentrations inhibited the degradation of the other. This mutual inhibition was found to be enhanced by 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) which is an intermediate metabolic product of 2,4-D. When 2,4-DCP accumulated to approximatelY 40 mg/l degradation of all compounds in the mixed 2,4-D and PCOC substrate system was completely inhibited. The degradation of 2,4-D and PCOC individually was also found to be inhibited by elevated concentrations of 2,4-DCP added externally, while PCOC inhibited the utilization of the intermediate.

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