Thyroid Hormones and Cytogenetic Outcomes in Backpack Sprayers Using Ethylenebis(dithiocarbamate) (EBDC) Fungicides in Mexico

Dithiocarbamate Toxicity - An Appraisal

“…Steenland et al (1997) showed the genotoxic effects of mancozeb indicated by increased chromosomal translocations and sister chromatid exchange in the blood cells of workers exposed to it. In vitro studies with zineb on human lymphocytes and CHO cells showed it to induce DNA strand breaks suggesting its carcinogenic potential in the event that the affected cells survive and propagate (Soloneski et al, 2002;2003;Gonzalez et al, 2003).…”

Biomonitoring of Contemporary Pesticides: Ethylenethiourea in Occupational Settings

“…Thyroid disorders are a major area of interest based on experimental animal studies demonstrating ETU-induced thyroid gland enlargement as a consequence of impaired thyroid hormone synthesis and on an occupational health study demonstrating mild but statistically significant lower T 4 concentrations in workers with higher exposure to powdered ETU than those with lower exposure (Smith 1984). Two cross-sectional studies, with reference groups to control for exposure to EBDCs, have been conducted to investigate the incidence of thyroid gland disorders in agricultural settings (Panganiban et al, 2004;Steenland et a., 1997;Smith 1984). Measures of thyroid hormone levels were carried out among 49 heavily exposed workers without protective equipment spraying EBDCs on tomatoes in Mexico (Steenland et al, 1997).…”

“…These studies are outlined in Table II. The assessment of the workers' exposure, based on ETU concentrations in urine, has been done in Mexico in tomato growing areas (Steenland et al, 1997), in areas of floriculture in Ecuador (Colosio et al, 2003), in banana plantations in the Philippines (Panganiban et al, 2004), vineyards in Italy Corsini et al, 2005;Colosio et al, 2007;Fustinoni et al, 2008), in grains, tobacco, vegetable and cut flower areas in Thailand (Panuwet et al, 2007), potato farms in Finland, , in the flower bulb growing industry in the Netherlands and in vegetable growing areas in Bulgaria . These studies have shown that the concentration of ETU in urine of exposed workers reflects the type of activity on the farm, the use of personal protective equipment such as gloves, respirators, plastic suits and boots, and the level of mechanization and training.…”

“…Two cross-sectional studies, with reference groups to control for exposure to EBDCs, have been conducted to investigate the incidence of thyroid gland disorders in agricultural settings (Panganiban et al, 2004;Steenland et a., 1997;Smith 1984). Measures of thyroid hormone levels were carried out among 49 heavily exposed workers without protective equipment spraying EBDCs on tomatoes in Mexico (Steenland et al, 1997). The level of TSH was significantly higher, but within the clinical reference range, in the applicators (2.13 ± 0.15 mIU/L) compared with the control group (1.6 ± 0.19 mIU/L).…”

Indicators of mancozeb exposure in relation to thyroid cancer and neural tube defects in farmers’ families

“…ETU was earlier classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as possibly carcinogenic to humans (group 2B), but, in 2001, it was reclassified into group 3 (not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity in humans) (11). This reclassification has been disputed (12), and published studies indicate that occupational exposure to ETU resulting from mancozeb use may perturb thyroid homeostasis (3,(13)(14)(15).…”