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Environmental Research Jan 2022The greenspace sector includes a broad range of occupations: gardeners, landscapers, municipal workers, maintenance operators of public facilities, golf-course employees... (Review)
Review
CONTEXT
The greenspace sector includes a broad range of occupations: gardeners, landscapers, municipal workers, maintenance operators of public facilities, golf-course employees and other sports facilities, horticulturists, plant and tree nursery workers etc. The health impact of occupational pesticide exposure has mainly been studied among farmers. Other professionals such as greenspace workers are also extremely exposed, presenting specific exposure features (practices, types of pesticide used). The aim of this review was to summarize epidemiological literature that examine the relationship between pesticide exposure and the risk of cancer and long-term health effects in greenspace workers.
METHOD
Six main groups of greenspace workers were identified and examined through a systematic literature review based on PubMed and Scopus. The studies were then grouped according to their design, health outcomes and the type of population studied.
RESULTS
Forty-four articles were selected among the 1679 identified. Fifteen studies were conducted exclusively among greenspace workers, while ten also studied these workers with other pesticide applicators. Six were cohorts from the general population in which greenspace workers were identified. Elevated risks were found in several studies for leukaemia, soft-tissue sarcoma, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma and Parkinson's disease.
DISCUSSION
The majority of studies used rough parameters for defining exposure such as job titles which could lead to the misclassification of exposure, with the risk of false or positive negative conclusions. Health outcomes were mainly collected through registries or death certificates, and information regarding potential confounders was often missing.
CONCLUSION
The review identified only 15 studies conducted exclusively among greenspace workers. Elevated risk was found for several sites of cancer and Parkinson's diseases. Further epidemiological research is needed, conducted specifically on these workers, to better characterize this population, its exposure to pesticides and the related health effects.
Topics: Agricultural Workers' Diseases; Epidemiologic Studies; Humans; Neoplasms; Nervous System Diseases; Occupational Exposure; Parks, Recreational; Pesticides
PubMed: 34352232
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111822 -
Toxicology Apr 2023Thyroid cancer incidence has been steadily rising since the 1970s and exposure to environmental pollutants, including persistent organic pollutants such as... (Review)
Review
Thyroid cancer incidence has been steadily rising since the 1970s and exposure to environmental pollutants, including persistent organic pollutants such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and other dioxins, has emerged as a potential explanation for this increase. This study aimed to summarize available human studies on the association between TCDD exposure and thyroid cancer. A systematic review of the literature was performed searching the National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases, through January 2022, using the following keywords: "thyroid", "2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin", "TCDD", "dioxin", and "Agent Orange". Six studies were included in this review. Three studies evaluated the acute exposure to the chemical factory accident in Seveso, Italy, and found a non-significant increase in the risk of thyroid cancer. Two studies investigating Agent Orange exposure among United States Vietnam War veterans found a significant risk of thyroid cancer following exposure. No association was found in one study evaluating TCDD exposure through herbicides. The current study highlights the limited information on the potential association between TCDD exposure and thyroid cancer and thus the need for future human studies, especially considering the persistent human exposure to dioxins in the environment.
Topics: Humans; Agent Orange; Dioxins; Environmental Exposure; Herbicides; Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins; Thyroid Neoplasms; United States
PubMed: 36868552
DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2023.153474 -
Journal of Clinical Pharmacology Mar 2023This systematic review was performed to determine the population that benefited from prophylactic ivermectin. Seven databases of health-related studies were searched for... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
This systematic review was performed to determine the population that benefited from prophylactic ivermectin. Seven databases of health-related studies were searched for eligible trials without language restrictions. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies investigating ivermectin for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) prevention were included. Data were pooled using a random-effects model, and subgroups were analyzed by study type and the pre- or postexposure population. The certainty of the evidence was determined by the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach. Furthermore, 4 RCTs and 4 cohort studies with a moderate to high risk of bias were included in the analysis. The prophylactic use of ivermectin significantly decreased the overall incidence of COVID-19 (odds ratio [OR], 0.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.16-0.44). Nevertheless, the positive result was not supported by the RCT. Ivermectin was associated with a lower risk of COVID-19 (OR, 0.22; 95% CI, 0.12-0.40) in the preexposure population, whereas no protective effect was observed in the postexposure population (OR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.09-1.67). In summary, prophylactic ivermectin did not prevent COVID-19 in the postexposure population. Although the protective effect of ivermectin was shown in the overall and preexposure populations, the results were unreliable owing to poor-quality evidence.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Ivermectin; Bias; Research Design; Odds Ratio
PubMed: 36399336
DOI: 10.1002/jcph.2178 -
Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex... Mar 2024Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a widespread malignancy worldwide, and its relationship with pesticide exposure remains inconclusive. This study aims to elucidate the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a widespread malignancy worldwide, and its relationship with pesticide exposure remains inconclusive. This study aims to elucidate the relationship between pesticide exposure and the risk of colon, rectal, or CRC, focusing on specific pesticide groups. We conducted an extensive literature search for peer-reviewed studies published up to March 31, 2023. Summary risk ratios (RR) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using stratified random-effects meta-analyses, taking into account different types of exposure and outcomes, and various exposed populations and pesticide subgroups. This approach aimed to address the substantial heterogeneity observed across the literature. We also assessed heterogeneity and potential small-study effects to ensure the robustness of our findings. From the 50 studies included in this review, 33 contributed to the meta-analysis. Our results indicate a significant association between herbicide exposure and colon cancer in both lifetime-days (LDs) (RR = 1.20; 95% CI = 1.01-1.42) and intensity-weighted lifetime-days (IWLDs) (RR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.12-1.49) exposure. Similarly, insecticide exposure was associated with an increased risk of colon cancer in IWLDs (RR = 1.32; 95% CI = 1.02-1.70) exposure, and rectal cancer in any versus never exposure (RR = 1.21; 95% CI = 1.07-1.36), IDs (RR = 1.86; 95% CI = 1.30-2.67) and IWLDs (RR = 1.70; 95% CI = 1.03-2.83) exposure. While these findings suggest significant associations of herbicide and insecticide exposure with colon and rectal cancer, respectively, further research is needed to explore the impact of other pesticide groups and deepen our understanding of pesticide exposure. These results have important implications for policymakers and regulators, underscoring the need for stricter supervision and regulation of pesticide use to mitigate CRC risk.
Topics: Humans; Pesticides; Insecticides; Colonic Neoplasms; Herbicides; Rectal Neoplasms
PubMed: 38341063
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123530 -
Journal of Korean Medical Science Dec 2014The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and exposure to rural environments. Studies were identified... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and exposure to rural environments. Studies were identified through OVID MEDLINE and EMBASE search up to September 2013 using as keywords rural residence, farmers, and pesticide exposure. Twenty-two studies were included for this meta-analysis. Summary odds ratios (ORs) were calculated using random effect model by type of exposure index, and subgroup analyses were conducted according to study design, gender, region, case ascertainment, and exposure assessment. The risk of ALS was significantly increased with pesticide exposure (OR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.22-1.70) and with farmers (OR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.17-1.73), but was not significant with rural residence (OR, 1.25; 95% CI, 0.84-1.87). The risk estimates for subgroup analysis between pesticide exposure and ALS indicated a significant positive association with men (OR, 1.96), and in studies using El Escorial criteria for ALS definition (OR, 1.63) and expert judgment for pesticide exposure (OR, 2.04) as well. No significant publication bias was observed. Our findings support the association of pesticide exposure and an increased risk for ALS, stressing that the use of more specific exposure information resulted in more significant associations.
Topics: Age Distribution; Agriculture; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Environmental Exposure; Female; Humans; Incidence; Male; Occupational Diseases; Pesticides; Proportional Hazards Models; Risk Factors; Sex Distribution
PubMed: 25469059
DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2014.29.12.1610 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jul 2022Despite the fact that several cases of unsafe pesticide use among farmers in different parts of Africa have been documented, there is limited evidence regarding which... (Review)
Review
Despite the fact that several cases of unsafe pesticide use among farmers in different parts of Africa have been documented, there is limited evidence regarding which specific interventions are effective in reducing pesticide exposure and associated risks to human health and ecology. The overall goal of the African Pesticide Intervention Project (APsent) study is to better understand ongoing research and public health activities related to interventions in Africa through the implementation of suitable target-specific situations or use contexts. A systematic review of the scientific literature on pesticide intervention studies with a focus on Africa was conducted. This was followed by a qualitative survey among stakeholders involved in pesticide research or management in the African region to learn about barriers to and promoters of successful interventions. The project was concluded with an international workshop in November 2021, where a broad range of topics relevant to occupational and environmental health risks were discussed such as acute poisoning, street pesticides, switching to alternatives, or disposal of empty pesticide containers. Key areas of improvement identified were training on pesticide usage techniques, research on the effectiveness of interventions targeted at exposure reduction and/or behavioral changes, awareness raising, implementation of adequate policies, and enforcement of regulations and processes.
Topics: Agriculture; Farmers; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Occupational Exposure; Pesticides
PubMed: 35897345
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19158973 -
Environmental Health : a Global Access... May 2017The main causes of chronic kidney disease (CKD) globally are diabetes and hypertension but epidemics of chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) occur in... (Review)
Review
The main causes of chronic kidney disease (CKD) globally are diabetes and hypertension but epidemics of chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) occur in Central America, Sri Lanka, India and beyond. Althoug also being observed in women, CKDu concentrates among men in agricultural sectors. Therefore, suspicions fell initially on pesticide exposure, but currently chronic heat stress and dehydration are considered key etiologic factors. Responding to persistent community and scientific concerns about the role of pesticides, we performed a systematic review of epidemiologic studies that addressed associations between any indicator of pesticide exposure and any outcome measure of CKD. Of the 21 analytical studies we identified, seven were categorized as with low, ten with medium and four with relatively high explanation value. Thirteen (62%) studies reported one or more positive associations, but four had a low explanation value and three presented equivocal results. The main limitations of both positive and negative studies were unspecific and unquantified exposure measurement ('pesticides'), the cross-sectional nature of most studies, confounding and selection bias. The four studies with stronger designs and better exposure assessment (from Sri Lanka, India and USA) all showed exposure-responses or clear associations, but for different pesticides in each study, and three of these studies were conducted in areas without CKDu epidemics. No study investigated interactions between pesticides and other concommittant exposures in agricultural occupations, in particular heat stress and dehydration. In conclusion, existing studies provide scarce evidence for an association between pesticides and regional CKDu epidemics but, given the poor pesticide exposure assessment in the majority, a role of nephrotoxic agrochemicals cannot be conclusively discarded. Future research should procure assessment of lifetime exposures to relevant specific pesticides and enough power to look into interactions with other major risk factors, in particular heat stress.
Topics: Environmental Exposure; Environmental Pollutants; Humans; Pesticides; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic; Risk Factors
PubMed: 28535811
DOI: 10.1186/s12940-017-0254-0 -
Environmental Research Feb 2023Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are exogenous substances recognised as relevant tumourigenic chemicals. Studies show that even EDCs which were long abolished are... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are exogenous substances recognised as relevant tumourigenic chemicals. Studies show that even EDCs which were long abolished are still contributing to the increasing incidence of neoplasia.
AIM
To investigate the association between human exposure to EDCs and the risk of endocrine-related tumours: breast, prostate, thyroid, uterus, testis, and ovary.
METHODS
A systematic review using PubMed, Scopus, and Embase was conducted, searching for original observational studies published between 1980 and 2020, approaching EDCs exposure and endocrine tumourigenic risk in humans. We comprised neoplasia of six endocrine organs. We included all the studies on EDCs reporting tumour odds ratio, risk ratio, or hazard ratio. Study levels of confidence and risk of bias were accessed applying accredited guidelines. Human-made accidents and natural EDCs were not considered in the present study.
RESULTS
Our search returned 3271 papers. After duplicate removal and screening, only 237 papers were included (corresponding to 268 records). EDCs were grouped from the most frequently (pesticides) to the least frequently studied (salts). The most tumourigenic EDC groups were phthalates (63%), heavy metals (54%), particulate matter (47%), and pesticides (46%). Pesticides group comprised the highest number of retrieved studies (n = 133). Increased neoplasia risk was found in 43-67% of the studies, with a lower value for ovary (43%) and a higher value for thyroid (67%).
CONCLUSIONS
The innovative nature of our review comes from including human studies of six endocrine-related neoplasia aiming to understand the contribution of specific EDCs groups to each organ's tumourigenesis. Thyroid was the organ presenting the highest cancer risk after EDC exposure which may explain the increasing thyroid cancer incidence. However, detailed and controlled works reporting the effects of EDCs are scarce, probably justifying conflicting results. Multinational and multicentric human studies with biochemical analysis are needed to achieve stronger and concordant evidence.
Topics: Male; Female; Humans; Endocrine Disruptors; Endocrine System; Pesticides; Testis; Metals, Heavy
PubMed: 36460069
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114869 -
BMJ Clinical Evidence Nov 2014Malaria transmission occurs most frequently in environments with humidity greater than 60% and ambient temperature of 25°C to 30°C. Risks increase with longer visits... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Malaria transmission occurs most frequently in environments with humidity greater than 60% and ambient temperature of 25°C to 30°C. Risks increase with longer visits and depend on activity. Infection can follow a single mosquito bite. Incubation is usually 10 to 14 days but can be up to 18 months, depending on the strain of parasite.
METHODS AND OUTCOMES
We conducted a systematic review and aimed to answer the following clinical questions: What are the effects of non-drug interventions to prevent malaria in non-pregnant adult travellers? What are the effects of non-drug interventions to prevent malaria in child travellers and in pregnant travellers? We searched: Medline, Embase, The Cochrane Library, and other important databases up to November 2013 (Clinical Evidence reviews are updated periodically, please check our website for the most up-to-date version of this review). We included harms alerts from relevant organisations, such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
RESULTS
We found five studies that met our inclusion criteria. We performed a GRADE evaluation of the quality of evidence for interventions.
CONCLUSIONS
In this systematic review we present information relating to the effectiveness and safety of the following interventions: aerosol insecticides, air conditioning and electric fans, bath or chemical-base oils, biological control measures, dietary supplementation, electronic mosquito repellents, insecticide-treated clothing/nets, lifestyle changes (full-length and light-coloured clothing, behaviour modification), mosquito coils and vapourising mats, skin-applied chemical repellents (containing diethyltoluamide [DEET] or picaridin), skin-applied plant-based repellents, and smoke.
Topics: Clothing; Humans; Insect Repellents; Insecticides; Malaria; Travel; Travel-Related Illness
PubMed: 25399869
DOI: No ID Found -
Reviews on Environmental Health Jun 2023Most agricultural products are exposed to pesticides. Organochlorine (OCPs) insecticides have been banned for years due to their persistence in the environment and... (Review)
Review
Most agricultural products are exposed to pesticides. Organochlorine (OCPs) insecticides have been banned for years due to their persistence in the environment and lipophilic properties. On the other hand, some carcinogenic organophosphates are used in high amounts. Therefore, this systematic review was performed with the keywords; pesticide, carcinogenic, carcinogen, residue, contamination, pollution, and food to determine the type of food and pesticide. 663 manuscripts were found by searching in databases. After initial screening and quality assessment of full text, 26 manuscripts were selected. In this study, by reviewing selected manuscripts, about 13 pesticides were associated with carcinogenic effects. These pesticides were Chlorothalonil, Glyphosate, Tetrachlorvinphos, Parathion, Malathion, Diazinon, heptachlor, Hexachlorobenzene, aldrin, dieldrin, DDT, chlordane, Lindane. Most of these pesticides were organochlorine. The organochlorine pesticides are primarily detected in foods of animal origin. In some studies, the amount of carcinogenic organochlorine was higher than the permissible levels. From the carcinogenic herbicide, Glyphosate. An important finding of this systematic review is that carcinogenic organochlorines are still a threat to cancer incidence.
PubMed: 37272608
DOI: 10.1515/reveh-2022-0253