ABSTRACT
Pesticides can cause gene mutations and chromosomal aberrations in exposed individuals. We have investigated 24 workers exposed to pesticides. Clinical examinations and cytogenetic and toxicological tests were performed. Ten non-exposed individuals were used as controls. Toxicological dosages of copper, zinc and manganese (metals found in some pesticides), hepatic enzyme dosage (GOT, GPT, AR) and acetylcholinesterase activity were performed in 16 workers and 8 controls. In the exposed workers, the most relevant clinical symptoms were poor digestion with fullness sensation after meals, irritated eyes, headache and fasciculations. The exposed group showed significantly lower manganese dosage and acetylcholinesterase activity, and significantly higher levels of alkaline phosphatase. Cytogenetic studies showed significantly higher chromosomal aberrations in the exposed group compared to the control group. Although the workers used protection against the pesticide's fog, the results revealed that the workers were contaminated with the pesticides. Therefore, the cytogenetic, toxicological studies with clinical examination are necessary for monitoring workers who are exposed to pesticides in any situation.
Subject(s)
Agriculture , Chromosome Aberrations , Occupational Exposure/adverse effects , Pesticides/adverse effects , Rural Population , Adult , Agriculture/statistics & numerical data , Brazil , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Mitosis/drug effects , Occupational Exposure/statistics & numerical data , Rural Population/statistics & numerical data , Statistics, NonparametricABSTRACT
A procedure to determine residue concentrations of synthetic pyrethroid insecticides (flumethrin, deltamethrin, cypermethrin and cyhalothrin) in the milk and blood of lactating dairy cows was developed. Extraction was performed with acetoritrile, n-hexane partitioning, and silica gel column cleanup with n-hexane and diethyl ether. Analysis was carried out by high-performance liquid chromatography and ultraviolet detection. Recovery of the four pyrethroids averaged 78 to 91% with a minimum detectable concentration of 0.001 mg/kg. The method was reproducible and sensitive.
Subject(s)
Insecticides/analysis , Insecticides/blood , Lactation/physiology , Milk/chemistry , Pesticide Residues/analysis , Pesticide Residues/blood , Pyrethrins/analysis , Pyrethrins/blood , Animals , Cattle , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods , Female , Nitriles , Reproducibility of Results , Sensitivity and Specificity , Spectrophotometry, UltravioletABSTRACT
The presence of the pyrethroid insecticides flumethrin, deltamethrin, cypermethrin and cyhalothrin in milk and blood of 10 cows was determined after single dermal applications of recommended doses. Milk and blood samples were collected every 7 days over a 35-d period and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The highest residues in milk were found on day 28 for flumethrin and day 1 for deltamethrin, cypermethrin and cyhalothrin, while in blood the highest concentrations were present on day 28 for flumethrin and deltamethrin, the first day for cypermethrin, and day 14 for cyhalothrin.
