Occupational exposure to pesticides and hematological alterations: A survey of farm residents in the South of Brazil / Exposição ocupacional a agrotóxicos e alterações hematológicas: Estudo transversal em moradores rurais do Sul do Brasil

Abstract This study sought to investigate the association of exposure to organochlorine (OC) and non-persistent pesticides with hematological parameters in an agricultural population in Southern Brazil. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a random sample of 275 farm workers and their families in Farroupilha-RS. A questionnaire was used to collect information on sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, duration, frequency and type of pesticide used, among others. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for serum concentration of 24 OC pesticides and hematological parameters. Associations were explored through linear regression, controlling for confounders. Lifetime use of chemical classes other than organophosphates and dithiocarbamates were associated with decreased number of lymphocytes, while subjects sampled in the high pesticide use season showed higher number of erythrocytes and hemoglobin level. Detectable serum levels of many OC pesticides were associated with lower counts of white blood cells, particularly eosinophils. Although mostly null associations were observed between pesticide use and hematological parameters, findings may suggest that OC pesticides could lead to hematological alterations among agricultural workers.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a associação entre a exposição a organoclorados (OC) e agrotóxicos não persistentes e os parâmetros hematológicos em uma população agrícola de Farroupilha-RS. Foi utilizado um questionário para coletar informações sobre fatores sociodemográficos e de estilo de vida, duração, frequência e tipo de pesticidas utilizados, entre outros. Amostras sanguíneas foram coletadas e analisadas quanto a concentração sérica de 24 pesticidas OC e parâmetros hematológicos. As associações foram exploradas através de regressão linear, controlando por confundidores. O uso cumulativo de classes químicas diferentes de organofosforados e ditiocarbamatos associou-se com diminuição do número de linfócitos enquanto indivíduos que tiveram suas coletas sanguíneas realizadas na estação de maior uso de agrotóxicos tinham contagem de eritrócitos e hemoglobina maiores. Níveis séricos de diversos pesticidas organoclorados foram associados com contagens mais baixas de células brancas do sangue, particularmente eosinófilos. Embora as associações com o uso de agrotóxicos tenham sido, em geral, nulas, os resultados podem sugerir que os pesticidas OCs poderiam levar a alterações hematológicas entre os trabalhadores agrícolas.

Organochlorine compound levels in fertile and infertile women from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil / Níveis de substâncias organocloradas em mulheres férteis e inférteis do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was quantify organochlorine compounds in women seeking for infertility treatment (n = 15) and in spontaneously pregnant ones (n = 21). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire was applied regarding lifestyle, occupational and reproductive history. Blood samples were collected from both groups. RESULTS: From the pesticides studied, pp'DDE was detected in 100% of infertile women, at higher mean levels than in pregnant women (3.02 mcg/L vs. 0.88 mcg/L; p = 0.001; power of 69%), without correlation with the etiology of infertility. Levels of the polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were low, with positive samples in 100% in the infertile women for PCBs 138, 153, 180, while in pregnant women, they were 85.7% for congeners 138 and 153. Only PCB180 showed significance, with frequency of 71.4% (p = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: The risk factors for female infertility were: age, consumption of untreated water and of canned foods. Exposure to the most prevalent organochlorine compounds described in literature was confirmed in the study, indicating that pp'DDE may adversely influence female fertility.

OBJETIVO: O estudo teve como objetivo quantificar as substâncias organocloradas em mulheres buscando tratamento para infertilidade (n = 15) e que espontaneamente engravidaram (n = 21). MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foi aplicado questionário considerando estilo de vida, história ocupacional e reprodutiva. Amostras de sangue foram obtidas em ambos os grupos. RESULTADOS: Dos pesticidas, pp'DDE foi detectado em 100% das inférteis, com níveis maiores que nas grávidas (3,02 mcg/L vs. 0,88 mcg/L; p = 0,001; poder 69%), sem correlação na etiologia da infertilidade. Os níveis de detecção das bifenilas policloradas (PCBs) foram baixos, com 100% de positividade das amostras nas inférteis para os PCBs 138, 153, 180, e de 85,7% nas grávidas para os congêneres 138 e 153. Apenas PCB180 mostrou significância na frequência de 71,4% (p = 0,019). CONCLUSÕES: Os fatores de risco para infertilidade feminina foram: idade, consumo de água não tratada e alimentos enlatados. A exposição aos organoclorados mais prevalentes descritos na literatura foi confirmada no estudo, indicando que pp'DDE pode influenciar adversamente a fertilidade feminina.

Associations between Cigarette Smoking and Total Mortality Differ Depending on Serum Concentrations of Persistent Organic Pollutants among the Elderly

There are substantial variations of relative risks (RR) in smoking-related mortality by country and time. We hypothesized the RRs in smoking-related mortality might differ depending on serum concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). We evaluated the associations of cigarette smoking with total mortality in 610 elderly (aged > or = 70 yr) (702 elderly for organochlorine pesticides [OCPs]) after stratification by serum concentration of POPs, in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2004 followed through 2006. Summary measures of POPs subclasses showed significant or marginally significant interaction with cigarette smoking on the risk of total mortality. P values for interaction were 0.069 for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), 0.008 for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and 0.024 for OCPs. The effect of smoking on total mortality showed different patterns according to the serum concentration of some POPs. Former or current smokers had 1.4 to 2.9 times higher mortality rates compared with never smokers among participants with higher serum concentrations of POPs (2nd or 3rd tertiles). However, when the level of PCBs or OCPs were low (1st tertile), there were little positive associations between smoking and mortality. Our study suggests that the background exposure to several POPs may be related to variability in smoking-related total mortality.

Associations between Cigarette Smoking and Total Mortality Differ Depending on Serum Concentrations of Persistent Organic Pollutants among the Elderly

There are substantial variations of relative risks (RR) in smoking-related mortality by country and time. We hypothesized the RRs in smoking-related mortality might differ depending on serum concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). We evaluated the associations of cigarette smoking with total mortality in 610 elderly (aged > or = 70 yr) (702 elderly for organochlorine pesticides [OCPs]) after stratification by serum concentration of POPs, in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2004 followed through 2006. Summary measures of POPs subclasses showed significant or marginally significant interaction with cigarette smoking on the risk of total mortality. P values for interaction were 0.069 for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), 0.008 for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and 0.024 for OCPs. The effect of smoking on total mortality showed different patterns according to the serum concentration of some POPs. Former or current smokers had 1.4 to 2.9 times higher mortality rates compared with never smokers among participants with higher serum concentrations of POPs (2nd or 3rd tertiles). However, when the level of PCBs or OCPs were low (1st tertile), there were little positive associations between smoking and mortality. Our study suggests that the background exposure to several POPs may be related to variability in smoking-related total mortality.

Exposición prenatal a los plaguicidas organoclorados y criptorquidia / Prenatal exposure to organochlorine pesticides and cryptorchidism

Los productos en desarrollo y los niños son particularmente vulnerables a los tóxicos ambientales. Nuestro objetivo es determinar los niveles de plaguicidas organoclorados (HCB, ß-HCH, pp'DDT, op'DDT y pp'DDE) en lípidos séricos de madres de niños con criptorquidia y comparar los niveles con un grupo control de madres de niños con testículos descendidos. El grupo de los casos fue constituido por recién nacidos con diagnóstico de criptorquidia (n=41). El grupo control (n=41) se conformó por niños con testículos descendidos. A las madres de ambos grupos se les determinaron los niveles de plaguicidas organoclorados. La criptorquidia fue diagnosticada al nacimiento por neonatólogo. Residuos de plaguicidas organoclorados fueron encontrados en lípidos séricos de ambos grupos. Los niveles de la mediana (mgkg-1 en base lipídica) fueron mayores para los metabolitos pp'DDT (0.464 vs. 0.269) y ß-HCH (0.263 vs. 0.192) en el grupo con criptorquidia comparado con el grupo control. (p<0.01). Los niveles de los metabolitos pp'DDT y ß-HCH son mayores entre las madres de los recién nacidos con criptorquidia. Es posible que sustancias con efectos antiandrogénicos puedan producir disrupción endocrina y criptorquidia durante el desarrollo fetal.

Fetuses and children are more susceptible to the effects of environmental toxins. The objective of this article is to determine the levels of organochlorine pesticides (HCB, ß-HCH, pp'DDT, op'DDT and pp'DDE) in the serum lipids of mothers of newborns with cryptorchidism and compare the levels to a control group of mothers of newborns with descended testicles. The cases were composed of newborns with cryptorchidism (n=41), and the controls (n=41) newborns with descended testicles. Blood samples from both groups of mothers were used to determine the organochlorine pesticide levels. Cryptorchidism was diagnosed at birth by a neonatologist. The results showed that the organochlorine pesticide residues were found in the serum lipids of both groups of mothers. The median serum lipid levels (mgkg-1 lipid-based) were statistically higher for the metabolites pp'DDT (0.464 vs. 0.269) and ß-HCH (0.263 vs. 0.192) in the cryptorchidism group compared to the control group (p<0.01). It could be concluded that the levels of the metabolites pp'DDT and ß-HCH are higher among mothers of newborns with cryptorchidism. It is possible that substances with anti-androgenic effects could produce endocrine disruption, such as cryptorchidism, during fetal development.