Synergistic Effects of Heavy Metals and Pesticides in Living Systems

Abstract

There is a widespread repeated exposure of the population to the pesticides and heavy metals of occupational and environmental origin. Such population is forced to undergo continuous stress imposed by combined exposure of the heavy metals and different classes of the pesticides used in agricultural as well as health practices. The existing reports from several workers have indicated that heavy metals and pesticides in combination may lead more severe impact on the human health when compared to their individual effects. Such a combination of pesticides and heavy metals may also change or influence the detection of exposure. Several studies in past have shown the synergistic toxic effects of heavy metals and pesticides. Such evaluations have revealed the synergistic interactions of various heavy metals and pesticides in animals as well as humans. The aim of the present article is to provide a synthesis of existing knowledge on the synergistic effects of heavy metal and pesticides in living systems. The information included in this article may be useful for different environment protection agencies and policy makers to consider the combined effects of heavy metals and pesticides on humans while designing strategies toward environmental protection and safety regulations about human health.

Assessment of Organophosphate and Carbamate Insecticides and Heavy Metal Contamination in Canal-Grown Water Morning Glory (Ipomoea aquatica Forssk) in Nakhon Nayok Province, Thailand

“…Similarly, heavy metals namely As, Cr, Co, Pb and Ni have been identified in 22 pesticides. Importantly, a combination of pesticides and heavy metals can provide a synergistic toxic interaction in humans and animals [46]. Therefore, the present research implies that the heavy metals occur from human activities through the application of pesticides.…”

Catechin Attenuates the Effect of Combined Arsenic and Deltamethrin Toxicity by Abrogation of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Wistar Rats

“…Environmental pollutants such as pesticides and heavy metals are known to cause serious health effects through the induction of wide range of toxicological events and biochemical dysfunctions. Some earlier studies on combined exposure to pesticides and heavy metals have reported among others, immunotoxic, hematologic, and calcium homeostasis disruptive effects of these environmental contaminants [28,29]. There is however, a paucity of information on the use of natural agents in preventing or ameliorating these toxic effects.…”

Mechanism of Insecticide Resistance in Insects/Pests

“…Despite the use of insecticides across the world, numerous problems have been raised, i.e., environmental contamination, hazardous effects on human/animal and future outbreak of resistance in pests. The exposure of insecticides and heavy metals (As, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, Sn, and Zn) in a combination form immensely affect human health [57][58][59].…”