Toxic Effects of Exposure to Pesticides in Farm Workers in Navolato, Sinaloa (Mexico)

Abstract

The impact of chronic exposure to pesticides, especially among farmworkers, continues to be an area of research interest, especially in developing countries. This study aimed to measure and compare levels and profiles of pesticides in farm environments and farmworkers in an agricultural area of Mexico, as well as their effects in this cohort. Organochlorine and organophosphate pesticides were measured in soil and water samples from farms in the Navolato Valley, Sinaloa, Mexico. Levels of these pesticides as well as transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, acetylcholinesterase and hemoglobin were also measured in blood and urine from farmworkers of the study area and compared with levels in a control population. All 17 target organochlorine pesticides and four of nine target organophosphate pesticides were detected in soil and water samples. In farmworkers, 14 of 17 target organochlorine pesticides and seven of nine organophosphate pesticides were detected. Pesticide profiles were similar in farmworkers as in the environment. In comparison, only six organochlorine pesticides and three organophosphate pesticides were detected in control population, in much lower concentrations and with lower detection frequencies. Clinical analyses indicated that levels of transaminases and alkaline phosphatase were elevated while levels of hemoglobin and acetylcholinesterase were depressed in farmworkers compared to the control group. The results indicate that farmworkers are suffering from chronic exposure to workplace pesticides and could endure adverse health effects. Palabras clave: suelo, agua, análisis clínicos, sangre, orina RESUMEN El impacto de la exposición crónica a plaguicidas-especialmente entre los trabajadores agrícolas-es un área de interés para la investigación, especialmente en los países en desarrollo. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo medir y comparar los niveles y perfiles de los plaguicidas en el medio ambiente y los trabajadores agrícolas en una zona agrícola de México, así como sus efectos en este grupo de personas. Los niveles de plaguicidas

A Systematic Review of Studies on Genotoxicity and Related Biomarkers in Populations Exposed to Pesticides in Mexico

“…They found 17 OCP and 9 organophosphorous pesticides (OP) in soil and water samples [74]. Among them, for 14 OCPs and 6 OPs similar concentrations were also found in the blood and urine of 49 farmworkers [74]. Those farmworkers had elevated levels of transaminases and alkaline phosphatase, while levels of hemoglobin and acetylcholinesterase were decreased when compared to the control group (20 people).…”

“…Migration was mainly due to the large demand of seasonal farmworkers for the cultivation and harvesting of vegetables and grains. They found 17 OCP and 9 organophosphorous pesticides (OP) in soil and water samples [74]. Among them, for 14 OCPs and 6 OPs similar concentrations were also found in the blood and urine of 49 farmworkers [74].…”

“…Besides the examination of acetylcholinesterase levels, levels of hemoglobin, transaminases and alkaline phosphatases were examined by Galindo-Reyes and Alegría (2018), in a cohort study on 8 farms in the Navolato Valley, Sinaloa, Mexico. This municipality has the largest number of migrant farmworkers, (over 20% of the population) mainly from the states of Oaxaca, Guerrero, Zacatecas and Durango [74]. Migration was mainly due to the large demand of seasonal farmworkers for the cultivation and harvesting of vegetables and grains.…”

“…Those farmworkers had elevated levels of transaminases and alkaline phosphatase, while levels of hemoglobin and acetylcholinesterase were decreased when compared to the control group (20 people). The results indicated that the farmworkers suffered from chronic exposure to workplace pesticides and could endure adverse health effects [74].…”

Las codependencias de la agroindustria en Sinaloa, México

“…El impacto ecológico de la infraestructura hidroagrícola añade a lo ya mencionado la erosión de suelos, así como elevados niveles de contaminación química en cuerpos de agua para consumo humano, en tierras no agrícolas y en especies pesqueras comerciales como el camarón (Osuna et al, 1998;Galindo-Reyes & Alegria, 2018). En su estudio pionero de la región, Osuna et al (1998) evidenciaron la presencia de plaguicidas en camarones capturados por la flota sinaloense, demostrando con ello que los escurrimientos de agroquímicos llegan al mar contaminando los recursos pesqueros.…”