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

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.

Download Full-text

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

Occupational and Environmental Medicine ◽

10.1136/oemed-2020-106818 ◽

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.

Download Full-text

Pesticide exposure and lung function: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Occupational Medicine ◽

10.1093/occmed/kqz161 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 70 (1) ◽

pp. 14-23 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

J Ratanachina ◽

S De Matteis ◽

P Cullinan ◽

P Burney

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Lung Function ◽

Exposure Assessment ◽

Pesticide Exposure ◽

Respiratory Health ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Forced Expiratory Volume ◽

Free Text ◽

Mesh Terms

Abstract Background Epidemiological studies have reported associations between pesticide exposure and respiratory health effects, but the quantitative impact on lung function is unclear. To fill this gap, we undertook a systematic review of the available literature on the association between pesticide exposure and pulmonary function. Aims To examine all available literature regarding the relationship between occupational and environmental exposure to pesticides and lung function. Methods We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and Web of Science databases to 1 October 2017 without any date or language restrictions using a combination of MeSH terms and free text for ‘pesticide exposure’ and ‘lung function’. We included studies that met the criteria of our research protocol registered in PROSPERO, and we assessed their quality using a modified Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Results Of 2356 articles retrieved, 56 articles were included in the systematic review and pooled in meta-analyses for forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC), FVC and FEV1. There was tentative evidence that exposure to cholinesterase (ChE) inhibiting pesticides reduced FEV1/FVC and no evidence that paraquat exposure affected lung function in farmers. Conclusions Respiratory surveillance should be enhanced in those exposed to ChE-inhibiting pesticides which reduced FEV1/FVC according to the meta-analysis. Our study is limited by heterogeneity between studies due to different types of exposure assessment to pesticides and potential confounders. Further studies with a more accurate exposure assessment are suggested.

Download Full-text

Measuring “Language Access Profiles” in Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children With the DHH Language Exposure Assessment Tool

Journal of Speech Language and Hearing Research ◽

10.1044/2020_jslhr-20-00439 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-25

Author(s):

Matthew L. Hall ◽

Stephanie De Anda

Keyword(s):

Cluster Analysis ◽

Exposure Assessment ◽

Hard Of Hearing ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Communication Mode ◽

Developmental Potential ◽

Language Access ◽

Retest Reliability ◽

Language Exposure ◽

Test Retest Reliability

Purpose The purposes of this study were (a) to introduce “language access profiles” as a viable alternative construct to “communication mode” for describing experience with language input during early childhood for deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) children; (b) to describe the development of a new tool for measuring DHH children's language access profiles during infancy and toddlerhood; and (c) to evaluate the novelty, reliability, and validity of this tool. Method We adapted an existing retrospective parent report measure of early language experience (the Language Exposure Assessment Tool) to make it suitable for use with DHH populations. We administered the adapted instrument (DHH Language Exposure Assessment Tool [D-LEAT]) to the caregivers of 105 DHH children aged 12 years and younger. To measure convergent validity, we also administered another novel instrument: the Language Access Profile Tool. To measure test–retest reliability, half of the participants were interviewed again after 1 month. We identified groups of children with similar language access profiles by using hierarchical cluster analysis. Results The D-LEAT revealed DHH children's diverse experiences with access to language during infancy and toddlerhood. Cluster analysis groupings were markedly different from those derived from more traditional grouping rules (e.g., communication modes). Test–retest reliability was good, especially for the same-interviewer condition. Content, convergent, and face validity were strong. Conclusions To optimize DHH children's developmental potential, stakeholders who work at the individual and population levels would benefit from replacing communication mode with language access profiles. The D-LEAT is the first tool that aims to measure this novel construct. Despite limitations that future work aims to address, the present results demonstrate that the D-LEAT represents progress over the status quo.

Download Full-text

074-S: Controls Selection and Pesticide Exposure Assessment Via GIS in Population Based Prostate Cancer Studies

American Journal of Epidemiology ◽

10.1093/aje/161.supplement_1.s19a ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 161 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S19-S19

Author(s):

J Marusek ◽

M Cockburn ◽

P Mills ◽

B Ritz

Keyword(s):

Prostate Cancer ◽

Exposure Assessment ◽

Pesticide Exposure ◽

Population Based ◽

Cancer Studies

Download Full-text

Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Carbonylated Proteins from the Striatum and Cortex of Pesticide-Treated Mice

Parkinson s Disease ◽

10.1155/2015/812532 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-11 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Christina Coughlan ◽

Douglas I. Walker ◽

Kelly M. Lohr ◽

Jason R. Richardson ◽

Laura M. Saba ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Pesticide Exposure ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Cytoskeletal Proteins ◽

Synaptic Function ◽

Behavioral Alterations ◽

Mechanisms Of Toxicity ◽

Kegg Pathways ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Proteomic Analyses

Epidemiological studies indicate exposures to the herbicide paraquat (PQ) and fungicide maneb (MB) are associated with increased risk of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Oxidative stress appears to be a premier mechanism that underlies damage to the nigrostriatal dopamine system in PD and pesticide exposure. Enhanced oxidative stress leads to lipid peroxidation and production of reactive aldehydes; therefore, we conducted proteomic analyses to identify carbonylated proteins in the striatum and cortex of pesticide-treated mice in order to elucidate possible mechanisms of toxicity. Male C57BL/6J mice were treated biweekly for 6 weeks with saline, PQ (10 mg/kg), MB (30 mg/kg), or the combination of PQ and MB (PQMB). Treatments resulted in significant behavioral alterations in all treated mice and depleted striatal dopamine in PQMB mice. Distinct differences in 4-hydroxynonenal-modified proteins were observed in the striatum and cortex. Proteomic analyses identified carbonylated proteins and peptides from the cortex and striatum, and pathway analyses revealed significant enrichment in a variety of KEGG pathways. Further analysis showed enrichment in proteins of the actin cytoskeleton in treated samples, but not in saline controls. These data indicate that treatment-related effects on cytoskeletal proteins could alter proper synaptic function, thereby resulting in impaired neuronal function and even neurodegeneration.

Download Full-text

Biomonitoring of Fusarium spp. Mycotoxins: Perspectives for an Individual Exposure Assessment Tool

Food Science and Technology International ◽

10.1177/1082013210368884 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. 266-276 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

G. Cano-Sancho ◽

S. Marin ◽

A.J. Ramos ◽

V. Sanchis

Keyword(s):

Exposure Assessment ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Fusarium Species ◽

Risk Groups ◽

Probabilistic Methods ◽

Fusarium Spp ◽

Individual Exposure ◽

The Individual ◽

Current Exposure

Fusarium species are probably the most prevalent toxin-producing fungi of the northern temperate regions and are commonly found on cereals grown in the temperate regions of America, Europe and Asia. Among the toxins formed by Fusarium we find trichothecenes of the A-type or B-type, zearalenone, fumonisins or nivalenol. The current exposure assessment consists of the qualitative and/or quantitative evaluation based on the knowledge of the mycotoxin occurrence in the food and the dietary habits of the population. This process permits quantifying the mycotoxin dietary intake through deterministic or probabilistic methods. Although these methods are suitable to assess the exposure of populations to contaminants and to identify risk groups, they are not recommended to evaluate the individual exposition, due to a low accuracy and sensitivity. On the contrary, the use of biochemical indicators has been proposed as a suitable method to assess individual exposure to contaminants. In this work, several techniques to biomonitor the exposure to fumonisins, deoxynivalenol, zearalenone or T-2 toxin have been reviewed.

Download Full-text

Occupational pesticide exposure, cancer and chronic neurological disorders: A systematic review of epidemiological studies in greenspace workers

Environmental Research ◽

10.1016/j.envres.2021.111822 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 111822

Author(s):

L. de Graaf ◽

M. Boulanger ◽

M. Bureau ◽

G. Bouvier ◽

M. Meryet-Figuiere ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Neurological Disorders ◽

Pesticide Exposure ◽

Epidemiological Studies

Download Full-text

A Systematic Review and Appraisal of Epidemiological Studies on Household Fuel Use and Its Health Effects Using Demographic and Health Surveys

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18041411 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

pp. 1411

Author(s):

Daniel B. Odo ◽

Ian A. Yang ◽

Luke D. Knibbs

Keyword(s):

Health Outcomes ◽

Exposure Assessment ◽

Health Effects ◽

Low Birthweight ◽

Respiratory Infections ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

The Body ◽

Demographic And Health Surveys ◽

Fuel Use ◽

Cooking Fuel

The domestic combustion of polluting fuels is associated with an estimated 3 million premature deaths each year and contributes to climate change. In many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), valid and representative estimates of people exposed to household air pollution (HAP) are scarce. The Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) is an important and consistent source of data on household fuel use for cooking and has facilitated studies of health effects. However, the body of research based on DHS data has not been systematically identified, nor its strengths and limitations critically assessed as a whole. We aimed to systematically review epidemiological studies using DHS data that considered cooking fuel type as the main exposure, including the assessment of the extent and key drivers of bias. Following PRISMA guidelines, we searched PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and the DHS publication portal. We assessed the quality and risk of bias (RoB) of studies using a novel tool. Of 2748 records remaining after removing duplicates, 63 were read in full. A total of 45 out of 63 studies were included in our review, spanning 11 different health outcomes and representing 50 unique analyses. In total, 41 of 45 (91%) studies analysed health outcomes in children <5 years of age, including respiratory infections (n = 17), death (all-cause) (n = 14), low birthweight (n = 5), stunting and anaemia (n = 5). Inconsistencies were observed between studies in how cooking fuels were classified into relatively high- and low-polluting. Overall, 36/50 (80%) studies reported statistically significant adverse associations between polluting fuels and health outcomes. In total, 18/50 (36%) of the analyses were scored as having moderate RoB, while 16/50 (32%) analyses were scored as having serious or critical RoB. Although HAP exposure assessment is not the main focus of the DHS, it is the main, often only, source of information in many LMICs. An appreciable proportion of studies using it to analyse the association between cooking fuel use and health have potential for high RoB, mostly related to confounder control, exposure assessment and misclassification, and outcome ascertainment. Based on our findings, we provide some suggestions for ways in which revising the information collected by the DHS could make it even more amenable to studies of household fuel use and health, and reduce the RoB, without being onerous to collect and analyse.

Download Full-text