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International Journal of Hygiene and... Aug 2016Numerous pesticides are recognized for their endocrine-disrupting properties. Non-persistent pesticides such as organophosphates, dithiocarbamates and pyrethroids may... (Review)
Review
Numerous pesticides are recognized for their endocrine-disrupting properties. Non-persistent pesticides such as organophosphates, dithiocarbamates and pyrethroids may interfere with thyroid function as suggested by animal studies. However, the influence of chronic exposure to these compounds on thyroidal functions in humans remains to be determined. The present study aimed to review epidemiological evidence for an association between exposure to non-persistent pesticides and circulating levels of thyroid hormones (thyroxin [T4] and triiodothyronine [T3]) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). A systematic review was conducted using MEDLINE, SCOPUS and Virtual Health Library (BVS) databases. Articles were limited to original studies and reports published in English, Portuguese or Spanish. Nineteen epidemiological studies were identified, 17 of which were cross-sectional, 14 were of occupationally exposed workers and 11 used exposure biomarkers. Fungicides and organophosphates (OP) insecticides were the most studied pesticides. Although methodological heterogeneity between studies was noted, particularly regarding study design, exposure assessment, and control of confounding, most of them showed associations with changes in T3 and T4, and/or TSH levels, while results from a few of these are consistent with experimental data supporting the findings that non-persistent pesticide exposure exerts hypothyroid-like effects. However, reporting quality was moderate to poor in 50% of the studies, particularly regarding method of selection of participants and discussion of external validity. Overall, current knowledge regarding the impact of non-persistent pesticides on human thyroid function is still limited. Given the widespread use of pesticides, future research should assess effects of exposure to currently-used pesticides in cohort studies combining comprehensive questionnaire-based assessment and biomarkers. Investigators need to pay particular attention to exposure during critical windows of brain development and exposure in agricultural populations.
Topics: Animals; Endocrine Disruptors; Environmental Exposure; Environmental Pollutants; Epidemiologic Studies; Humans; Pesticides; Thyrotropin; Thyroxine; Triiodothyronine
PubMed: 27265299
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2016.05.006 -
The Science of the Total Environment Nov 2021Occupational exposure to oil fumes, organophosphates, halogenated flame retardants, and other volatile and semi-volatile contaminants is a concern within the aviation... (Review)
Review
Occupational exposure to oil fumes, organophosphates, halogenated flame retardants, and other volatile and semi-volatile contaminants is a concern within the aviation industry. There is no current consensus on the risk attributed to exposure to these chemical classes within the aircraft cabin. Contaminant concentrations rarely exceed conventional air quality guidelines, but concerns have been raised about these guidelines' applicability within the aircraft environment. This systematic review, the largest and most comprehensive completed to date on the subject matter, aims to synthesize the existing research related to chemical and other exposures inside the aircraft cabin to determine the occupational risk that may be attributed said exposure, as well as, determine knowledge gaps in source, pathway, and receptor that may exist. The Science Direct, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were queried with five search terms generating 138 manuscripts that met acceptance criteria and screening. Several potential areas requiring future examination were identified: Potable water on aircraft should be examined as a potential source of pollutant exposure, as should air conditioning expansion turbines. Historical exposure should also be more fully explored, and non-targeted analysis could provide valuable information to comprehend the aircraft cabin exposome. Occupational risk under typical flight scenarios appears to be limited for most healthy individuals. Contaminants of concern were demonstrated to be extant within the cabin, however the concentrations under normal circumstances do not appear to be individually responsible for the symptomologies that are present in impacted individuals. Questions remain regarding those that are more vulnerable or susceptible to exposure. Additionally, establishing the effects of chronic low dose exposure and exposure to contaminant mixtures has not been satisfied. The risk of acute exposure in mitigable fume events is substantial, and technological solutions or the replacement of compounds of concern for safer alternatives should be a priority.
Topics: Air Pollution, Indoor; Aircraft; Flame Retardants; Humans; Occupational Exposure; Organophosphates
PubMed: 34375198
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148742 -
Environmental Toxicology and... Oct 2017Correlation between exposure to glyphosate and sperm concentrations is important in reproductive toxicity risk assessment for male reproductive functions. Many studies... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Correlation between exposure to glyphosate and sperm concentrations is important in reproductive toxicity risk assessment for male reproductive functions. Many studies have focused on reproductive toxicity on glyphosate, however, results are still controversial. We conducted a systematic review of epidemiological studies on the association between glyphosate exposure and sperm concentrations of rodents. The aim of this study is to explore the potential adverse effects of glyphosate on reproductive function of male rodents.
METHODS
Systematic and comprehensive literature search was performed in MEDLINE, TOXLINE, Embase, WANFANG and CNKI databases with different combinations of glyphosate exposure and sperm concentration. 8 studies were eventually identified and random-effect model was conducted. Heterogeneity among study results was calculated via chi-square tests. Ten independent experimental datasets from these eight studies were acquired to synthesize the random-effect model.
RESULTS
A decrease in sperm concentrations was found with mean difference of sperm concentrations(MDsperm)=-2.774×10/sperm/g/testis(95%CI=-0.969 to -4.579) in random-effect model after glyphosate exposure. There was also a significant decrease after fitting the random-effect model: MDsperm=-1.632×10/sperm/g/testis (95%CI=-0.662 to -2.601).
CONCLUSIONS
The results of meta-analysis support the hypothesis that glyphosate exposure decreased sperm concentration in rodents. Therefore, we conclude that glyphosate is toxic to male rodent's reproductive system.
Topics: Animals; Environmental Exposure; Glycine; Herbicides; Male; Rodentia; Sperm Count; Spermatozoa; Glyphosate
PubMed: 28846991
DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2017.07.015 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jul 2021In recent years, the worldwide prevalence of overweight and obesity among adults and children has dramatically increased. The conventional model regarding the onset of... (Review)
Review
In recent years, the worldwide prevalence of overweight and obesity among adults and children has dramatically increased. The conventional model regarding the onset of obesity is based on an imbalance between energy intake and expenditure. However, other possible environmental factors involved, such as the exposure to chemicals like pesticides, cannot be discarded. These compounds could act as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDC) that may interfere with hormone activity related to several mechanisms involved in body weight control. The main objective of this study was to systematically review the data provided in the scientific literature for a possible association between prenatal and postnatal exposure to pesticides and obesity in offspring. A total of 25 human and 9 animal studies were analyzed. The prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal exposure to organophosphate, organochlorine, pyrethroid, neonicotinoid, and carbamate, as well as a combined pesticide exposure was reviewed. This systematic review reveals that the effects of pesticide exposure on body weight are mostly inconclusive, finding conflicting results in both humans and experimental animals. The outcomes reviewed are dependent on many factors, including dosage and route of administration, species, sex, and treatment duration. More research is needed to effectively evaluate the impact of the combined effects of different pesticides on human health.
Topics: Adult; Child; Environmental Exposure; Female; Humans; Neonicotinoids; Obesity; Organophosphates; Pesticides; Pregnancy; Pyrethrins
PubMed: 34281107
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18137170 -
Environmental Research Jul 2017Children of farmworkers may be chronically exposed to pesticides via the take-home exposure pathway. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Children of farmworkers may be chronically exposed to pesticides via the take-home exposure pathway.
OBJECTIVE
The goal of this review was to analyze scientific literature evaluating the role of the take-home pesticide exposure pathway in children of agricultural workers.
METHODS
A systematic review was undertaken and inclusion criteria were applied to identify original articles of interest. Of the 30 articles included in this review, some belonged to the same studies, resulting in a total of 23 studies. Eight studies assessed environmental samples, nine collected biological samples, and the remaining six analyzed both. Eleven studies compared pesticide levels between farm and non-farm families.
RESULTS
There is convincing evidence that children of farmworkers are exposed to pesticides at higher levels than "non-agricultural" children, even when residing in the same agricultural communities. These levels were shown to depend on the season, occupation, number of farmworkers per home, and type of crops. Other factors such as age, gender and, sex seem to also influence this pathway. Some studies have shown that pesticides used solely in agriculture are found only in households of farmworkers spraying these pesticides. Moreover, intervention studies have shown that behaviors among farmworkers can significantly lower exposure of people living in the same households as farmworkers.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
The evidence presented here raises concerns regarding health effects associated with exposure to pesticides in children living in agricultural communities, and indicates that strategies should be developed to reduce exposures in these populations.
Topics: Agriculture; Child; Environmental Exposure; Farmers; Humans; Pesticides
PubMed: 28437652
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2017.04.017 -
Ciencia & Saude Coletiva Aug 2020Malathion has been widely used worldwide in arbovirus control programs. In 2015, it was classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as a...
Malathion has been widely used worldwide in arbovirus control programs. In 2015, it was classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as a probable carcinogen to humans. This work aimed to systematize the evidence of the carcinogenic and mutagenic effects associated with the exposure of malathion and its analogs, malaoxon and isomalathion. The search was carried out in Toxline, PubMed and Scopus databases for original papers published from 1983 to 2015. In all, 73 papers were selected from a total of 273 eligible papers. The results of in vitro and in vivo studies showed mainly genetic and chromosomal damages caused by malathion. The epidemiological studies evidenced significant positive associations for thyroid, breast, and ovarian cancers in menopausal women. This evidence of the carcinogenic effect of malathion should be considered before its use in arbovirus control programs.
Topics: Female; Humans; Malathion; Mutagens
PubMed: 32785560
DOI: 10.1590/1413-81232020258.10672018 -
Journal of the American Academy of... May 2019Many drugs have been used to treat scabies, but it is unclear which of them is the most efficacious. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Many drugs have been used to treat scabies, but it is unclear which of them is the most efficacious.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the comparative efficacy and safety of antiscabietic agents.
METHODS
A systematic review of randomized controlled trials was conducted. Direct and network meta-analyses were applied to 13 antiscabietic agents on 3 outcomes (cure, persistent itching, and adverse events). Their probability of having highest efficacy and safety was estimated and ranked.
RESULTS
A network meta-analysis of 52 trials including 9917 patients indicated that permethrin (the reference treatment) had a significantly higher cure rate than sulfur, malathion, lindane, crotamiton, and benzyl benzoate. Combination permethrin plus oral ivermectin had a nonsignificantly higher cure rate than permethrin. Combination permethrin plus oral ivermectin was ranked highest in terms of cure, topical ivermectin in terms of persistent itching, and synergized pyrethrins in terms of adverse events. On the basis of clustered ranking, permethrin, oral ivermectin, and synergized pyrethrins seemed to retain balance between cure and adverse events.
LIMITATIONS
There are small numbers of trials and patients in some comparisons and a high risk of bias in some trials.
CONCLUSION
There is no 1 treatment that ranked highest in all aspects. Physicians should consider the drug's efficacy and safety profiles, along with ease of administration.
Topics: Benzoates; Drug Therapy, Combination; Hexachlorocyclohexane; Humans; Insecticides; Ivermectin; Malathion; Network Meta-Analysis; Permethrin; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Scabies; Sulfur; Toluidines
PubMed: 30654070
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2019.01.004 -
Andrology Oct 2022The environment plays a key role in male infertility, changing the incidence in various populations, and pesticides are one of the most studied hazards. The use of the... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The environment plays a key role in male infertility, changing the incidence in various populations, and pesticides are one of the most studied hazards. The use of the latter has never decreased, jeopardizing the safety of workers and the general population.
OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to summarize the results of studies discussing the association between pesticides and male fertility.
METHODS
A comprehensive literature search was performed through MEDLINE via PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Only human studies were considered. Semen parameters and DNA integrity were considered to evaluate the effect of pesticides on men.
RESULTS
A total of 64 studies that investigated their impact in terms of semen parameters (51 studies) and chromatin and DNA integrity (25 studies) were included. The most frequently affected parameters were total sperm count, sperm motility, and sperm morphology, although a reduction in ejaculate volume and concentration occur in several cases. A tangible worsening of semen quality was associated with organochlorines and organophosphates. Furthermore, pesticide exposure, especially pyrethroids, was related to a higher DNA fragmentation index and chromosome aneuploidy in most articles.
CONCLUSION
The epidemiological evidence supports the association between pesticides and male fertility for workers and the exposed population in terms of semen quality, DNA fragmentation, and chromosome aneuploidy.
Topics: Aneuploidy; Chromatin; DNA; Fertility; Humans; Infertility, Male; Male; Occupational Exposure; Organophosphates; Pesticides; Pyrethrins; Semen; Semen Analysis; Sperm Count; Sperm Motility; Spermatozoa
PubMed: 35793270
DOI: 10.1111/andr.13228 -
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety Mar 2023Exposure to organophosphate esters (OPEs) during pregnancy has been suggested to be associated with adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes. However, relevant... (Review)
Review
Exposure to organophosphate esters (OPEs) during pregnancy has been suggested to be associated with adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes. However, relevant investigations are scarce, and the findings are inconsistent. We aimed to conduct a scoping review to provide an overview of these associations. Electronic databases, including MEDLINE (through PubMed), Web of Science, and CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure), were searched from inception to March 2022 and updated in July 2022. A total of 8 studies (1860 participants) were included. Limited evidence indicates that OPE exposure during pregnancy may be negatively associated with both maternal and neonatal triiodothyronine and tetraiodothyronine concentrations but positively associated with thyroid-stimulating hormone concentrations. OPE exposure during pregnancy may be associated with lower insulin concentrations. OPE exposure during pregnancy was associated with gestational age in a sex-specific manner. Intrauterine OPE exposure might increase the risk of preterm birth in female infants but decrease the risk of preterm birth in male infants. Prenatal OPE exposure might be associated with an increased risk of low birth weight. The current scoping review suggests that OPE exposure during pregnancy may disturb pregnancy and birth health, including adverse thyroid function and birth size. Because of the limited evidence obtained for most associations, additional studies followed by a traditional systematic review are needed to confirm these findings.
Topics: Pregnancy; Infant; Humans; Male; Infant, Newborn; Female; Premature Birth; Esters; Infant, Low Birth Weight; Epidemiologic Studies; Organophosphates
PubMed: 36791503
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.114642 -
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety Sep 2022Organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) are increasingly and widely used as substitutes for brominated flame retardants in daily life. The chemical structure of OPFRs... (Review)
Review
Organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) are increasingly and widely used as substitutes for brominated flame retardants in daily life. The chemical structure of OPFRs is very similar to that of organophosphorus pesticides, leading to concerns about their neurotoxicity. A few epidemiological studies have been published with inconsistent results on this topic, and a systematic scoping review is needed to provide an overview or map of the current evidence on the relationship of OPFRs with neurodevelopmental toxicity. Therefore, MEDLINE (accessed through PubMed), Web of Science, and CNKI (Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure) were systematically searched for articles published in the last two decades. Nine eligible articles were included in the present systematic scoping review for adherence to the predefined PECOS (population, exposure, comparison, outcome, study design) statement. Six studies were conducted in the USA, and the remaining three studies were conducted in Austria, Norway and China. A total of 2 581 children (1 203 females and 1 378 males) were included. Half of the included studies focused on the adverse effects of OPFR exposure on cognition in children, while others primarily focused on the behaviors of children. In summary, the current evidence suggests inverse associations between early-life exposure to OPFRs and the childhood intelligence quotient and internalizing behavior and positive relationships of OPFR exposure with externalizing behavior. However, some differences in the timing of sample collection for exposure measurements, in the individual OPFR metabolites available, in the neurodevelopmental scales for outcome measurement, and in the statistical methods used to analyze the data are noted. In addition, further studies are warranted to evaluate some important issues, such as sex differences in the association, exposure-sensitive periods, and cumulative exposure risk assessment.
Topics: Child; Epidemiologic Studies; Female; Flame Retardants; Humans; Male; Organophosphates; Organophosphorus Compounds; Pesticides
PubMed: 35988382
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113973