Exposure to multiple pesticides and neurobehavioral outcomes among smallholder farmers in Uganda

Fuhrimann, Samuel; Farnham, Andrea; Staudacher, Philipp; Atuhaire, Aggrey; Manfioletti, Tiziana; Niwagaba, Charles; Namirembe, Sarah; Mugweri, Jonathan; Winkler, Mirko S.; Portengen, Lützen; Kromhout, Hans; Mora, Ana María

doi:10.1016/j.envint.2021.106477

Cited by 49 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 61 publications

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“…Traditional urinary biomarkers of pesticide exposure are not useful in the context of measuring long-term effects of APPs, as they have a short half-life of only a few days [39]. To better assess chronic health effects, questionnaire-based algorithms could be used to estimate cumulative exposure to multiple pesticides over time [40].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Long-Term Neurological and Psychological Distress Symptoms among Smallholder Farmers in Costa Rica with a History of Acute Pesticide Poisoning

Farnham

Fuhrimann

Staudacher

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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Studies suggest that acute pesticide poisonings (APP) may be linked with long-term neurological effects. To examine long-term neurological and psychological distress symptoms associated with having experienced an APP, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 300 conventional and organic smallholder farmers from Zarcero County, Costa Rica, May–August 2016. We collected self-reported data on sociodemographic characteristics, occupational history, pesticide exposure, APPs, neurological and psychological distress symptoms (using the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI)). Adjusted logistic regression models were fit. A total of 14% of the farmers (98% male) reported experiencing at least one APP during their lifetime. Self-reported APP was associated with neurological symptoms during the 12 months prior to interview (e.g., fainting (Odds Ratio: 7.48, 95% Confidence Interval: 1.83, 30.74), shaking hands (3.50; 1.60, 7.60), numbness/tingling in hands or feet (3.23; 1.66, 6.32), insomnia (2.53; 1.34, 4.79), accelerated heartrate (2.42; 1.03, 5.47), dizziness (2.38; 1.19, 4.72), increased irritability/anger (2.37; 1.23, 4.55), low energy (2.33; 1.23, 4.46), and difficulty concentrating (2.01; 1.05, 3.85)). Farmers who reported an APP in the ten years prior to interview experienced increased odds of abnormal BSI scores for hostility (4.51; 1.16, 17.70) and paranoid ideation (3.76; 0.99, 18.18). Having experienced an APP may be associated with long-term neurological and psychological distress symptoms.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Long-Term Neurological and Psychological Distress Symptoms among Smallholder Farmers in Costa Rica with a History of Acute Pesticide Poisoning

Farnham

Fuhrimann

Staudacher

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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“…These symptoms can be related to various chemical substances that may occur under these circumstances, such as aromatic organic solvents, volatile residues of fumigants, and other toxic industrial chemicals [ 7 , 9 , 12 , 31 , 32 , 33 ]. Several pesticides and their residues, for instance various fumigants and insecticides, have neurotoxic effects even in low or moderate concentrations, which may be experienced by exposed warehouse workers [ 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 ]. Dryness of throat and/or mouth, throat irritation, a runny nose, skin irritation, and wheezing in the chest were also more frequent among warehouse workers.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Presumed Exposure to Chemical Pollutants and Experienced Health Impacts among Warehouse Workers at Logistics Companies: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Lovas

Nagy

Sándor

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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During intercontinental shipping, freight containers and other closed transport devices are applied. These closed spaces can be polluted with various harmful chemicals that may accumulate in poorly ventilated environments. The major pollutants are residues of pesticides used for fumigation as well as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released from the goods. While handling cargos at logistics companies, workers can be exposed to these pollutants, frequently without adequate occupational health and safety precautions. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among potentially exposed warehouse workers and office workers as controls at Hungarian logistics companies (1) to investigate the health effects of chemical pollutants occurring in closed spaces of transportation and storage and (2) to collect information about the knowledge of and attitude toward workplace chemical exposures as well as the occupational health and safety precautions applied. Pre-existing medical conditions did not show any significant difference between the working groups. Numbness or heaviness in the arms and legs (AOR = 3.99; 95% CI = 1.72–9.26) and dry cough (AOR = 2.32; 95% CI = 1.09–4.93) were significantly associated with working in closed environments of transportation and storage, while forgetfulness (AOR = 0.40; 95% CI = 0.18–0.87), sleep disturbances (AOR = 0.36; 95% CI = 0.17–0.78), and tiredness after waking up (AOR = 0.40; 95% CI = 0.20–0.79) were significantly associated with employment in office. Warehouse workers who completed specific workplace health and safety training had more detailed knowledge related to this workplace chemical issue (AOR = 8.18; 95% CI = 3.47–19.27), and they were significantly more likely to use certain preventive measures. Warehouse workers involved in handling cargos at logistics companies may be exposed to different chemical pollutants, and the related health risks remain unknown if the presence of these chemicals is not recognized. Applied occupational health and safety measures at logistics companies are not adequate enough to manage this chemical safety issue, which warrants awareness raising and the introduction of effective preventive strategies to protect workers’ health at logistics companies.

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“…La gran incidencia de estos trastornos en este sector (aplicadores, formuladores, recolectores, etc.) se debe al elevado tiempo de exposición, niveles de concentración de estos contaminantes en el ambiente y la falta de conocimiento sobre prácticas de seguridad agrícola, especialmente la falta de uso de equipos de protección individual [19,28,29].…”

Section: Individuos Sometidos a Medios Y Altos Niveles De Exposiciónunclassified

Relación entre la exposición a pesticidas y las enfermedades mentales: Una revisión sistemática

2021

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Este trabajo realiza una revisión sistemática sobre la relación existente entre la exposición a residuos de pesticidas y la presencia de enfermedades o trastornos mentales. Los pesticidas son sustancias químicas utilizadas en la inmensa mayoría de los campos agrícolas para prevenir o eliminar las plagas que amenazan a los cultivos. Sin embargo, su uso puede implicar serios problemas para la salud de las personas como enfermedades pulmonares, cáncer, enfermedades metabólicas, problemas de infertilidad e incluso trastornos psicopatológicos. La metodología para realizar este estudio de revisión siguió las indicaciones marcadas por el protocolo PRISMA, encontrándose un total de cuatro artículos originales tras aplicar los criterios de exclusión e inclusión establecidos. Tres artículos estudiaron la relación exposición a residuos pesticidas - enfermedades mentales en sujetos con características diferentes y con niveles de exposición variables. Única-mente un artículo empleó ratones sometidos a diferentes dosis de pesticidas como modelo para evaluar su efecto sobre el comportamiento de estos animales. De los resultados encontrados por los diferentes artículos se puede deducir que la exposición a residuos de pesticidas tiene claros efectos sobre la salud mental de individuos altamente susceptibles a la presencia de contaminantes como mujeres lactantes y recién nacidos; así como personas sometidas a elevados niveles de pesticidas como formuladores y aplicadores agrícolas o personas residentes en las cercanías de campos agrícolas. Por otro lado, futuras investigaciones sobre este tema, basadas en modelos animales y estudios poblacionales, son necesarias para establecer conexiones realistas entre los trastornos mentales y los diferentes tipos de pesticidas usados actualmente en los campos agrícolas.

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Exposure to multiple pesticides and neurobehavioral outcomes among smallholder farmers in Uganda

Cited by 49 publications

References 61 publications

Long-Term Neurological and Psychological Distress Symptoms among Smallholder Farmers in Costa Rica with a History of Acute Pesticide Poisoning

Long-Term Neurological and Psychological Distress Symptoms among Smallholder Farmers in Costa Rica with a History of Acute Pesticide Poisoning

Presumed Exposure to Chemical Pollutants and Experienced Health Impacts among Warehouse Workers at Logistics Companies: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Relación entre la exposición a pesticidas y las enfermedades mentales: Una revisión sistemática

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