Maternal exposure to organochlorine pesticides and anthropometrics of newborns - a hospital-based cross-sectional study in rural and urban settings in Armenia.

The study objective was to determine a possible association between maternal exposure to organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and anthropometric measures at birth in group of postpartum women in urban and rural areas of Armenia. The anthropometric measures of infants were obtained from birth records and gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane (γ-HCH), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene, and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane were measured in breast milk. Gas-liquid chromatography with electron capture detection was used to identify OCPs. Total OCPs and DDTs were calculated, and the anthropometrics were analyzed for sex and areas, and group differences were compared (Student's t-test). Both individual OCPs and total OCPs and DDTs were significantly higher in rural samples than in urban ones (P < 0.01-0.000), with lower and upper quartiles differing by 2.6-fold and 3.1-fold, respectively (P < 0.000). There was no association between the anthropometrics and OCPs levels in rural or urban areas. However, this does not rule out the possibility of OCPs impact on health later in life. To our knowledge, this was the first study addressing these issues in Armenia. The results obtained will provide data on the current situation regarding birth outcomes in terms of prenatal exposure to OCPs in Armenia and will contribute to the available results from previous studies.

Synthetic surfactants in drinking and surface waters in Armenia and apparent non-association with some diseases.

The main goal of this study is to compare the concentrations of anionic synthetic surfactants (ASS) in drinking and surface waters in Armenia and to explore possible relationship with diseases of the skin and digestive system. Surfactants are widely employed in numerous field of the economy, are in contact with the entire population throughout life and can be harmful to human health.The samples of drinking and surface waters (n = 144) were collected in Kotayk province to analyze ASS concentrations, physicochemical parameters and phytotoxic activity. The prevalence of diseases was analyzed for different population groups. ASS concentrations in surface waters were significantly higher in summer compared to spring (p = 0.006). In drinking water, concentrations were also higher in summer, but not significantly. In surface waters, ASS levels were 2.4-3 times higher compared to drinking (p = 0.03) and exceeded the permissible limit by 1.4-2.9 times in summer and fall. No phytotoxic activity and differences in both classes of diseases and age groups were revealed. The determination of ASS in both surface and drinking waters with the same trend showed their interrelation to a certain extent. This study provides important information for future research and action which will contribute to the sustainable development of local communities.

The awareness, practical approaches and attitude of health care professionals to drug hypersensitivity reactions in Armenia.

BACKGROUND: Drug hypersensitivity reactions (DHRs) is commonly encountered in clinical practice. This condition requires sufficient knowledge of health care professionals (HCPs) carrying for these patients. OBJECTIVE: To assess the awareness, practices and attitudes to DHRs among HCPs in Armenia and to identify main problems and take appropriate measures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 23-item questionnaire covering 3 domains - knowledge, practice and attitude - was developed and applied in an anonymous survey. Data were analyzed according to specialty, experience, type of medical facility and regions using Pearson's χ2 and Fisher's exact tests. RESULTS: A total of 381 respondents with response rate of 63.5  % took part in the survey. The gaps in knowledge/awareness about DHRs diagnosis and management, as well as in practical approaches were identified. The differences depending on specialty, duration of HCPs experience, working place both by geographical region and medical facility type were revealed. According to attitude rates the importance of creating a national registry of patients with severe DHRs (>95.0 %) and the need to introduce a clear algorithm for managing these patients (99.5 %) are highlighted. CONCLUSIONS: Targeted educational programs are needed for better understanding of DHRs. The implementation of the national guidelines needs improvement. The approach used can be recommended for study of the problems in other areas of healthcare (Tab. 4, Fig. 2, Ref. 15).

Relationship between Respiratory Morbidity and Environmental Exposure to Organochlorine Pesticides in Armenia.

BACKGROUND: Many studies have investigated the effects of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) on adverse health outcomes. However, studies addressing the link between respiratory health and OCPs are limited. Organochlorine pesticides are stable compounds and belong to the class of endocrine disrupting chemicals that represent a threat to global health. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to examine the association between respiratory morbidity and environmental exposure to OCPs in selected regions in Armenia. METHODS: The study was carried out in Lori and Gegharkunik provinces/marzes. The prevalence rate (per 100 000 population) and the average chronological indicators (ACh) for all respiratory diseases and asthma were calculated. Concentrations of OCPs (γ-hexachlorocyclohexane (γ-HCH), dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane [DDT], dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) and dichloro-diphenyl-dichloroethane (DDD)) were determined in soil and plant product samples and the average annual total concentration (AATC) of OCPs (γ-HCH + 4,4'-DDT + 4,4'-DDE+4,4'-DDD) was calculated. RESULTS: The ACI for all respiratory diseases showed a growth tendency in areas of Gegharkunik province ranging from 14.2 to 20.9% and an increase in asthma ranging from 9.4% to 174.6%. The highest levels of AATC of OCPs were found in soil sampled in Gegharkunik province: 9.48 ± 1.11 µg/kg and 8.10 ± 1.05 µg/kg and these levels differed significantly from those in Lori (p=0.01-0.0007). The AATC of OCPs in plant products from Gegharkunik was also statistically higher: 1.83±0.13 µg/kg, in comparison with that of Lori province 1.31±0.09 µg/kg (p = 0.001 - 0.0000). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that the increased tendency of respiratory diseases and asthma could be related to OCP residues found in soil and plant products in Gegharkunik province. However, the role of OCPs should not be ignored. Further research is needed to study OCP contamination dynamics and clarify the role of OCPs in respiratory morbidity. COMPETING INTERESTS: The authors declare no competing financial interests.

Residues of xenobiotics in the environment and phytotoxic activity in Armenia.

The article presents the results of a dynamic study (spring, summer, and fall) of the residues of certain xenobiotics such as organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), synthetic surfactants (SSs) in surface water, soil, sludge, snow and phytotoxic activity in Ararat and Lori marzes of Armenia (2016-2017). A comparative analysis of the environmental status showed that all pollutants studied such as γ-hexachlorocyclohexane (γ-HCH), 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (4,4'-DDT), and p-p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (4,4'-DDE) were identified in Ararat marz with the average concentrations and detection rates higher than in Lori marz. The prominent contaminant was γ-HCH. The findings indicated the concentrations of OCPs below of regulatory concern. In Ararat marz an increase in the number of sterile pollen grains of certain wild plants was revealed (14.8-26.0%), compared with Lori marz with the levels within the contingent standard of 5-11%. The phytotoxic activity of soil samples from the Ararat marz studied on Avena sativa seedlings was significantly higher in the summer-fall period. These data correlated with monitoring findings showed an increase in the levels of γ-HCH, 4,4'-DDT, SS in the soil and sludge sampled in summer-fall in Ararat marz. This difference in the environmental status can be considered as the result of active agriculture in Ararat marz, whose share of contribution to a relevant branch of the economy of Armenia is two times higher than in Lori marz, 15.4% and 7.9%, respectively. Mentioned rates of agricultural production may be one of the reasons for the environmental deterioration in Ararat marz. The detection of 4,4-DDT, γ-HCH residues testifies the circulation of these formulations in the environment indicating their use in recent past and confirming their persistence. Although since the 70s of the last century the application of OCPs in the Republic of Armenia has been prohibited. The current situation may be explained by low awareness of farmers on different issues related to the safe management of pesticides. To ensure safe working conditions and raise awareness among the farmers we have developed "Recommendations on Safety requirements when working with pesticides" that are approved by the State Service for Food Safety at the Ministry of Agriculture of RA and included in the reference booklets for farmers as guiding information. Our study shows the understanding of associations between the deterioration of the environmental status and share of agriculture contribution to the economy that provides the evidence for future research programs.

Pesticide use practices in rural Armenia.

Pesticide use can have adverse effects on both human health and the environment. Inappropriate use of pesticides increases the health risk to those who work with or live around pesticides. Educational programs for agricultural workers on the proper use of pesticides and personal protective equipment coupled with pesticide regulations are important tools to reduce the associated health risks. The authors conducted a survey (N = 2336) on pesticide use practices in the Ararat Valley of Armenia in 2000-2006. This study was a cross-sectional design. A multistage sampling method was implemented in the selection of the study population. The authors developed a questionnaire containing 173 questions to evaluate demographic characteristics, health conditions, and details of pesticides use practices. The intensity of pesticide use was high; 82.8% of respondents used them. More than 150 brand names of pesticides were in use. Unregistered, obsolete, expired, and banned compounds were found in active use. Poor compliance with the basic rules of pesticide safety was found throughout the study population, with 21.3% using gloves and only 11% using respirators. The agricultural workers' knowledge of the toxic properties of these pesticides as well as basic hygienic norms was very low. In some instances, the number of agrichemical applications to crops, particularly cucumbers and melons, reached 40 applications during the growing season. Better protection and training of pesticide users in Armenia is needed.