Urinary Pesticide Levels in Children and Adolescents Residing in Two Agricultural Communities in Mexico

Abstract

The use of pesticides in agricultural activities has increased significantly during the last decades. Several studies have reported the health damage that results from exposure to pesticides. In Mexico, hundreds of communities depend economically on agricultural activities. The participation of minors in this type of activity and their exposure to pesticides represents a potential public health problem. A cross-sectional study was conducted, in which urine samples (first-morning urine) were taken from children under 15 years of age in both communities. A total of 281 urine samples obtained in both communities were processed for the determination of pesticides with high-performance liquid chromatography together with tandem mass spectrometry. In 100% of the samples, at least two pesticides of the 17 reported in the total samples were detected. The presence of malathion, metoxuron, and glyphosate was remarkable in more than 70% of the cases. Substantial differences were detected regarding the other compounds. It is necessary to carry out long-term studies to determine the damage to health resulting from this constant exposure and to inform the health authorities about the problem in order to implement preventive measures.

Quantification of glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid from microbiome reactor fluids

“…In order to achieve lower LOD and LOQ, direct injection methods have been applied. However, due to matrix interferences, direct injection methods are only applicable for relatively clean matrices, such as water or simple water‐based matrices . A glyphosate detection limit of 0.25 ng/mL has been reported in water samples without extraction but with a filtering step .…”

What socioenvironmental impacts did 35 years of export agriculture have in Mexico? (1980–2014): A transnational agri‐food field analysis

“…A new problem that had not been considered is the damage caused by pesticides to the health of rural children under twelve. Laboratory studies conducted on infants in rural and indigenous communities in the west of Mexico show the presence of pesticides that are extremely harmful to their neurological and endocrinal development (Lozano‐Kasten, Sierra‐Diaz, Soto, & Peregrina, ; Sierra‐Diaz et al, ). This problem affects the most vulnerable people today and also puts at risk the health of the next generation.…”

“…show the presence of pesticides that are extremely harmful to their neurological and endocrinal development (Lozano-Kasten, Sierra-Diaz, Soto, & Peregrina, 2017;Sierra-Diaz et al, 2018). This problem affects the most vulnerable people today and also puts at risk the health of the next generation.…”

Erratum: Sierra-Diaz, E.; Celis-de la Rosa, A.J.; Lozano-Kasten, F.; Trasande, L.; Peregrina-Lucano, A.A.; Sandoval-Pinto, E.; Gonzalez-Chavez, H. Urinary Pesticide Levels in Children and Adolescents Residing in Two Agricultural Communities in Mexico. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16, 562

“…The correct units are ng/mL (nanograms/milliliter). The same typographical inaccuracy applies for data in the fourth paragraph of the discussion (with minimal values of 0.0020 µg/mL and maximal values of 2.63 µg/mL), where the correct units are also ng/mL [1].…”

“…The correct units are ng/mL (nanograms/milliliter). The same typographical inaccuracy applies for data in the fourth paragraph of the discussion (with minimal values of 0.0020 µg/mL and maximal values of 2.63 µg/mL), where the correct units are also ng/mL [1].We want to mention that this typographical oversight does not result in any changes to the conclusions or the main subject of the research, since the data focuses on the prevalence of pesticides. It is important for us to report on this concern in order to avoid readers misinterpreting the results.…”