Phenoxy herbicides, soft-tissue sarcoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma: a systematic review of evidence from cohort and case–control studies

Abstract

Extended follow-up of previously assembled cohorts may be the most efficient way of further reducing uncertainties.

Urinary concentrations and profiles of organophosphate and pyrethroid pesticide metabolites and phenoxyacid herbicides in populations in eight countries

“…Organophosphorus (OP), pyrethroid (PYR) insecticides and phenoxy acid (PA) herbicides are the most commonly used pesticides in agricultural, domestic, and gardening applications (CDC, 2013; Oulhote and Bouchard, 2013). OPs inhibit acetylcholinesterase that normally breaks down the neurotransmitter acetylcholine; PYRs act upon voltage-gated sodium channels on nerves; and PAs mimic the plant growth hormone, auxin, resulting in uncontrolled growth and subsequent death of the plant (McKelvey et al, 2013; Jayakody et al, 2015).…”

“…Given the magnitude of their global use, residues of OPs, PYRs, and PAs have been frequently detected in various environmental media, including soil, water, and sediment, and they enter through food chains, raising concerns for human health (Alonso et al, 2012; Corcellas et al, 2012; Jayakody et al, 2015; Rippy et al, 2017; Rousis et al, 2017a; Tang et al, 2018). Several epidemiologic studies have shown that chronic, low-dose exposure to OPs and PYRs was associated with neurological outcomes (e.g., neurodevelopment in children, Parkinson’s disease), endocrine-disrupting effects (e.g., metabolic syndrome, obesity, diabetes), and reproductive effects (e.g., reduced semen quality, reduced gestational age, reduced birth weight) (Furlong et al, 2014; González-Alzaga et al, 2014; Saillenfait et al, 2015; Coker et al, 2018).…”

“…Several epidemiologic studies have shown that chronic, low-dose exposure to OPs and PYRs was associated with neurological outcomes (e.g., neurodevelopment in children, Parkinson’s disease), endocrine-disrupting effects (e.g., metabolic syndrome, obesity, diabetes), and reproductive effects (e.g., reduced semen quality, reduced gestational age, reduced birth weight) (Furlong et al, 2014; González-Alzaga et al, 2014; Saillenfait et al, 2015; Coker et al, 2018). Exposure to 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T), the most commonly used PAs, is linked to wheeze, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, soft-tissue sarcoma, and age-related macular degeneration (Jayakody et al, 2015; Hoppin et al, 2017; Montgomery et al, 2017).…”

Retention Modelling of Phenoxy Acid Herbicides in Reversed-Phase HPLC under Gradient Elution

“…2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), although first marketed in 1944, is still one of the most widely used herbicides in the world, together with the parent products 2-(4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy) propanoic acid (mecoprop), (4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)acetic acid (MCPA) and 2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)propanoic acid (dichloroprop) [2,3]. Phenoxy acids are highly soluble in the aqueous media and therefore, can easily migrate through the agricultural environment finally leading to groundwater contamination [4,5], which can compromise drinking water quality and affect human health because of chronic toxicity, endocrine-disrupting action and potential carcinogenic effects [6][7][8]. Phenoxy acids in water or food can be detected and quantified by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) coupled to spectrophotometric or mass-spectrometry detection [3,[9][10][11].…”

Soft tissue sarcoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia in workers exposed to phenoxy herbicides: extended follow-up of a UK cohort

“…Since then, extensive epidemiological research has failed to confirm either hazard, and currently chlorophenoxy acids are classified by the International Agency for research on Cancer (IARC) only as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B) [9]. However, some studies have produced positive results, and recent systematic reviews have concluded that because of statistical uncertainties, it is not possible to rule out an increased risk of these cancers [10, 11]. In particular, the single most robust and informative investigation, which was a case-control analysis nested within a large international cohort study coordinated by IARC, found an odds ratio of 10.3 (95% confidence interval 1.2-91) for STS in workers exposed to any phenoxy herbicide [12].…”