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Birth Defects Research. Part B,... Jun 2014Atrazine (ATR) is a commonly used agricultural herbicide that has been the subject of epidemiologic studies assessing its relation to reproductive health problems. This... (Review)
Review
Atrazine (ATR) is a commonly used agricultural herbicide that has been the subject of epidemiologic studies assessing its relation to reproductive health problems. This review evaluates both the consistency and the quality of epidemiologic evidence testing the hypothesis that ATR exposure, at usually encountered levels, is a risk factor for birth defects, small for gestational age birth weight, prematurity, miscarriages, and problems of fetal growth and development. We followed the current methodological guidelines for systematic reviews by using two independent researchers to identify, retrieve, and evaluate the relevant epidemiologic literature on the relation of ATR to various adverse outcomes of birth and pregnancy. Each eligible paper was summarized with respect to its methods and results with particular attention to study design and exposure assessment, which have been cited as the main areas of weakness in ATR research. As a quantitative meta-analysis was not feasible, the study results were categorized qualitatively as positive, null, or mixed. The literature on ATR and pregnancy-related health outcomes is growing rapidly, but the quality of the data is poor with most papers using aggregate rather than individual-level information. Without good quality data, the results are difficult to assess; however, it is worth noting that none of the outcome categories demonstrated consistent positive associations across studies. Considering the poor quality of the data and the lack of robust findings across studies, conclusions about a causal link between ATR and adverse pregnancy outcomes are not warranted.
Topics: Abortion, Spontaneous; Animals; Atrazine; Birth Weight; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Fetal Development; Gestational Age; Herbicides; Humans; Maternal Exposure; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome
PubMed: 24797711
DOI: 10.1002/bdrb.21101 -
Environmental Research Dec 2023Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Associations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, polychlorinated biphenyls, organochlorine pesticides, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers with oxidative stress markers: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are intentionally produced persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that are resistant to environmental degradation. Previous in-vitro and in-vivo studies have shown that POPs can induce oxidative stress, which is linked to neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. However, findings in epidemiological studies are inconsistent and an evidence synthesis study is lacking to summarize the existing literature and explore research gaps.
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated the effects of PFAS, PCBs, OCPs, and PBDEs, on oxidative stress biomarkers in epidemiological studies.
METHODS
A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane CENTRAL to identify all published studies related to POPs and oxidative stress up to December 7, 2022. We included human observational studies reporting at least one exposure to POPs and an oxidative stress biomarker of interest. Random-effects meta-analyses on standardized regression coefficients and effect direction plots with one-tailed sign tests were used for quantitative synthesis.
RESULTS
We identified 33 studies on OCPs, 35 on PCBs, 49 on PFAS, and 12 on PBDEs. Meta-analyses revealed significant positive associations of α-HCH with protein carbonyls (0.035 [0.017, 0.054]) and of 4'4-DDE with malondialdehyde (0.121 [0.056, 0.187]), as well as a significant negative association between 2'4-DDE and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (-0.042 [-0.079, -0.004]), all β [95%CI]. Sign tests showed a significant positive association between PCBs and malondialdehyde (p = 0.03). Additionally, we found significant negative associations of OCPs with acetylcholine esterase (p = 0.02) and paraoxonase-1 (p = 0.03). However, there were inconsistent associations of OCPs with superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase.
CONCLUSIONS
Higher levels of OCPs were associated with increased levels of oxidative stress through increased pro-oxidant biomarkers involving protein oxidation, DNA damage, and lipid peroxidation, as well as decreased TAC. These findings have the potential to reveal the underlying mechanisms of POPs toxicity.
Topics: Humans; Antioxidants; Biomarkers; Environmental Pollutants; Fluorocarbons; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; Malondialdehyde; Oxidative Stress; Pesticides; Polychlorinated Biphenyls
PubMed: 37813138
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117308 -
PloS One 2016Bradford Hill's viewpoints were used to conduct a weight-of-the-evidence assessment of the association between Parkinson's disease (PD) and rural living, farming and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
Bradford Hill's viewpoints were used to conduct a weight-of-the-evidence assessment of the association between Parkinson's disease (PD) and rural living, farming and pesticide use. The results were compared with an assessment based upon meta-analysis. For comparison, we also evaluated the association between PD and cigarette smoking as a "positive control" because a strong inverse association has been described consistently in the literature.
METHODS
PubMed was searched systematically to identify all published epidemiological studies that evaluated associations between Parkinson's disease (PD) and cigarette smoking, rural living, well-water consumption, farming and the use of pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides or paraquat. Studies were categorized into two study quality groups (Tier 1 or Tier 2); data were abstracted and a forest plot of relative risks (RRs) was developed for each risk factor. In addition, when available, RRs were tabulated for more highly exposed individuals compared with the unexposed. Summary RRs for each risk factor were calculated by meta-analysis of Tier 1, Tier 2 and all studies combined, with sensitivity analyses stratified by other study characteristics. Indices of between-study heterogeneity and evidence of reporting bias were assessed. Bradford Hill's viewpoints were used to determine if a causal relationship between PD and each risk factor was supported by the weight of the evidence.
FINDINGS
There was a consistent inverse (negative) association between current cigarette smoking and PD risk. In contrast, associations between PD and rural living, well-water consumption, farming and the use of pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides or paraquat were less consistent when assessed quantitatively or qualitatively.
CONCLUSION
The weight of the evidence and meta-analysis support the conclusion that there is a causal relationship between PD risk and cigarette smoking, or some unknown factor correlated with cigarette smoking. There may be risk factors associated with rural living, farming, pesticide use or well-water consumption that are causally related to PD, but the studies to date have not identified such factors. To overcome the limitations of research in this area, future studies will have to better characterize the onset of PD and its relationship to rural living, farming and exposure to pesticides.
Topics: Agriculture; Humans; Parkinson Disease; Pesticides; Risk Factors; Rural Population; Smoking; Water Wells
PubMed: 27055126
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0151841 -
Environmental Research Aug 2023The use of pesticides can result in harm to both the environment and human health. There is a growing concern in the field of occupational health about the impact on the... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The use of pesticides can result in harm to both the environment and human health. There is a growing concern in the field of occupational health about the impact on the mental health of agricultural workers.
OBJECTIVES
The objective of this review was to systematize scientific evidence from the last ten years on the impact of occupational exposure to pesticides on the development of depression symptoms in agricultural workers.
METHODS
We conducted a comprehensive search in the PubMed and Scopus databases from 2011 to September 2022. Our search included studies in English, Spanish, and Portuguese that examined the association between occupational exposure to pesticides and symptoms of depression in agricultural workers, following the guidelines recommended by the PRISMA statement and the PECO strategy (Population, Exposure, Comparison, and Outcomes).
RESULTS
Among the 27 articles reviewed, 78% of them indicated a link between exposure to pesticides and the incidence of depression symptoms. The pesticides most frequently reported in the studies were organophosphates (17 studies), herbicides (12 studies), and pyrethroids (11 studies). The majority of the studies were rated as having intermediate to intermediate-high quality, with the use of standardized measures to assess both exposure and effect.
CONCLUSION
The updated evidence presented in our review indicates a clear association between pesticide exposure and the development of depressive symptoms. However, more high-quality longitudinal studies are necessary to control for sociocultural variables and utilize pesticide-specific biomarkers and biomarkers of depression. Given the increased use of these chemicals and the health risks associated with depression, it is crucial to implement more stringent measures to monitor the mental health of agricultural workers regularly exposed to pesticides and to enhance surveillance of companies that apply these chemicals.
Topics: Humans; Pesticides; Farmers; Depression; Occupational Exposure; Biomarkers; Agricultural Workers' Diseases
PubMed: 37217130
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116190 -
International Journal of Environmental... Apr 2020Pesticide exposure may affect children's respiratory and allergic health, although results from epidemiological studies have not reached consensus. This review aims to...
Pesticide exposure may affect children's respiratory and allergic health, although results from epidemiological studies have not reached consensus. This review aims to analyze the scientific evidence on respiratory and allergic effects of exposure to agricultural pesticides in children aged up to 12 years old. The databases PubMed, Web of Science, Scielo, and Lilacs were screened to select articles published in English, Spanish, or Portuguese, and 21 articles were included in this review. Most investigations were conducted in North America (mostly in the United States), while no studies conducted in Latin America or Africa were found, despite their intensive use of pesticides. Children are exposed to pesticides through multiple pathways from the prenatal period throughout later developmental stages and may experience several respiratory effects. Most studies (79%) found positive associations with pesticide exposure and children's respiratory and allergic effects such as asthma, wheezing, coughs, acute respiratory infections, hay fever, rhinitis, eczema, chronic phlegm, and lung function impairments. Contrastingly, 21% of the studies found no associations between pesticide exposure and children's respiratory health. The vast differences among the characteristics of the studies hamper any comparison of the results. Exposure to pesticides may have several impacts on childhood respiratory health. More studies must be conducted, especially in low- and middle-income countries, preferably with comparable research protocols adapted to local realities. Efforts should be made to develop comprehensive risk mitigation strategies and behavioral interventions to reduce children's exposure to pesticides used in agriculture and respiratory health effects, and to ensure healthy childhood growth.
Topics: Adolescent; Africa; Animals; Child; Child, Preschool; Cohort Studies; Cross-Sectional Studies; Environmental Exposure; Female; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Longitudinal Studies; Male; North America; Nutrition Surveys; Pesticides; Pregnancy; Prospective Studies; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 32316194
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17082740 -
Jornal de Pediatria 2022The study aimed to conduct a systematic review of the literature to verify the association between exposure to pesticides and allergic diseases (asthma, allergic... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
The study aimed to conduct a systematic review of the literature to verify the association between exposure to pesticides and allergic diseases (asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis) in children and adolescents.
METHOD
A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed using the PRISMA method with the question "What is the association between exposure to pesticides and allergic diseases in children (asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis)?" MEDLINE, EMBASE, SciELO, and Cochrane electronic databases were searched throughout the period in the literature up to September 2020. A total of 1296 studies were found, and 24 were selected.
RESULTS
Exposure to pesticides showed a two-fold greater risk of developing or exacerbating asthma in children and adolescents (odds ratio [OR] = 2.14 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.26-3.64, p < 0.01). There was no association between exposure to pesticides and the development of allergic rhinitis (OR = 2.73, 95% CI 0.13-57.8, p = 0.52) and atopic dermatitis (OR = 2.19, 95% CI 0.51-9.36, p = 0.29).
CONCLUSIONS
Exposure to pesticides increases the risk of developing or exacerbating asthma in children and adolescents. There was no evidence of an association between exposure to pesticides and the development of allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis in children and adolescents, possibly due to the low number of studies found in this review.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Humans; Asthma; Dermatitis, Atopic; Odds Ratio; Pesticides; Rhinitis, Allergic
PubMed: 34982974
DOI: 10.1016/j.jped.2021.10.007 -
International Journal of Environmental... May 2021Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex set of neurodevelopmental pathologies characterized by impoverished social and communicative abilities and stereotyped... (Review)
Review
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex set of neurodevelopmental pathologies characterized by impoverished social and communicative abilities and stereotyped behaviors. Although its genetic basis is unquestionable, the involvement of environmental factors such as exposure to pesticides has also been proposed. Despite the systematic analyses of this relationship in humans, there are no specific reviews including both human and preclinical models. The present systematic review summarizes, analyzes, and discusses recent advances in preclinical and epidemiological studies. We included 45 human and 16 preclinical studies. These studies focused on Organophosphates (OP), Organochlorine (OC), Pyrethroid (PT), Neonicotinoid (NN), Carbamate (CM), and mixed exposures. Preclinical studies, where the OP Chlorpyrifos (CPF) compound is the one most studied, pointed to an association between gestational exposure and increased ASD-like behaviors, although the data are inconclusive with regard to other ages or pesticides. Studies in humans focused on prenatal exposure to OP and OC agents, and report cognitive and behavioral alterations related to ASD symptomatology. The results of both suggest that gestational exposure to certain OP agents could be linked to the clinical signs of ASD. Future experimental studies should focus on extending the analysis of ASD-like behaviors in preclinical models and include exposure patterns similar to those observed in human studies.
Topics: Autism Spectrum Disorder; Chlorpyrifos; Female; Humans; Pesticides; Pregnancy; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Pyrethrins
PubMed: 34068255
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18105190 -
Environmental Science and Pollution... Jun 2021Farm worker and consumers are vulnerable to the potentially toxic pesticides accumulated in the environment and food. Nonetheless, few studies have investigated the...
Farm worker and consumers are vulnerable to the potentially toxic pesticides accumulated in the environment and food. Nonetheless, few studies have investigated the pesticide pollution and risk in the medlar planting site at a large scale. Hereupon, this study focused on the pesticide contamination distribution, their potential risk assessment of contaminated sites and dietary. The 11 pesticide pollution sources were collected from the five systems of fruit, leaf, soil, groundwater, and honey based on a systematic review in medlar planting site. Seventy-six samples were analyzed by chromatography technique. Residues of 4 (36.7%) compounds were found in the samples. The most distributed pesticides were imidacloprid for all samples, followed by avermectin for leaf, soil, groundwater, and honey, and carbendazim for leaf, glyphosate for soil, and those with the highest average concentrations were carbendazim (3.8-8.4 mg/kg of leaf) and glyphosate (0.21-1.3 mg/kg of soil). The vertical migration characteristic of imidacloprid was relatively stable, and the residual concentration gradually declined with the increase of burial depth. However, glyphosate tended to accumulate gradually or was close to the surface concentration with the increase of burial depth. The distribution of abamectin had no obvious regularity. Imidacloprid was lower than the MRL in fruit and honey. Imidacloprid, avermectin, and glyphosate no MRL in soil and groundwater are set. Using the monitoring data, potential health risk come from fruit, soil, and groundwater was evaluated. The HI and HQ could be considered safe for pesticide residues in fruit, soil, and groundwater. Even if these results are in general safe to eat, the effects of insecticide on human health, especially on genetic toxicity, have gradually aroused more attention. To minimize the increasing human health risk, this study suggests that authorities must regulate the usage of agrochemicals, to strengthen the controls for effective implementation of the pesticide bans.
Topics: Environmental Monitoring; Groundwater; Humans; Pesticide Residues; Pesticides; Risk Assessment; Soil
PubMed: 33483934
DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-12403-0 -
Reviews on Environmental Health Mar 2023Earlier longitudinal reviews on environmental and occupational toxins and Parkinson's disease (PD) risk have limitations. This study aimed to determine the strength of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVES
Earlier longitudinal reviews on environmental and occupational toxins and Parkinson's disease (PD) risk have limitations. This study aimed to determine the strength of association between three types of toxic occupational exposures and the occurrence of PD by diagnostic methods.
METHODS
A search was conducted of EMBASE, PubMed/Medline, Toxnet, LILACS, and Cochrane Library databases for longitudinal studies that assessed toxic occupational exposure, Parkinsonian, or related disorders, diagnosed by International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes, medical records, or confirmation by a neurologist/nurse, and published in the English language from January 1990 to July 2021. Pooled risk ratios (RR) estimates were produced using random-effects models. Systematic review with meta-analysis synthesized the results. Study quality, heterogeneity, and publication bias were examined. High-quality articles that met the inclusion criteria were analyzed.
RESULTS
Twenty-four articles were used in the analyses. The pooled RR for electromagnetic exposure and PD were (RR=1.03, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.91-1.16) while the pooled RR between PD and metal and pesticide exposure were (RR=1.07, 95% CI 0.92-1.24) and (RR=1.41, 95% CI 1.20-1.65), respectively. Pooled RR for methods of diagnosis and their associations with PD were: confirmation by a neurologist or nurse (RR=2.17, 95% CI 1.32-3.54); ICD codes (RR=1.14, 95% CI 1.03-1.26), and medical records (RR=1.06, 95% CI 0.92-1.21).
CONCLUSIONS
Our systematic review provides robust evidence that toxic occupational exposures are significant risk factors for PD especially those diagnosed by neurologists or nurses using standardized methods.
Topics: Humans; Parkinson Disease; Risk Factors; Occupational Exposure; Pesticides
PubMed: 34796708
DOI: 10.1515/reveh-2021-0111 -
Veterinary Medicine and Science Jul 2023Honey bees and honeycomb bees are very valuable for wild flowering plants and economically important crops due to their role as pollinators. However, these insects... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Honey bees and honeycomb bees are very valuable for wild flowering plants and economically important crops due to their role as pollinators. However, these insects confront many disease threats (viruses, parasites, bacteria and fungi) and large pesticide concentrations in the environment. Varroa destructor is the most prevalent disease that has had the most negative effects on the fitness and survival of different honey bees (Apis mellifera and A. cerana). Moreover, honey bees are social insects and this ectoparasite can be easily transmitted within and across bee colonies.
OBJECTIVE
This review aims to provide a survey of the diversity and distribution of important bee infections and possible management and treatment options, so that honey bee colony health can be maintained.
METHODS
We used PRISMA guidelines throughout article selection, published between January 1960 and December 2020. PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and Ovid databases were searched.
RESULTS
We have collected 132 articles and retained 106 articles for this study. The data obtained revealed that V. destructor and Nosema spp. were found to be the major pathogens of honey bees worldwide. The impact of these infections can result in the incapacity of forager bees to fly, disorientation, paralysis, and death of many individuals in the colony. We find that both hygienic and chemical pest management strategies must be implemented to prevent, reduce the parasite loads and transmission of pathogens. The use of an effective miticide (fluvalinate-tau, coumaphos and amitraz) now seems to be an essential and common practice required to minimise the impact of Varroa mites and other pathogens on bee colonies. New, alternative biofriendly control methods, are on the rise, and could be critical for maintaining honey bee hive health and improving honey productivity.
CONCLUSIONS
We suggest that critical health control methods be adopted globally and that an international monitoring system be implemented to determine honey bee colony safety, regularly identify parasite prevalence, as well as potential risk factors, so that the impact of pathogens on bee health can be recognised and quantified on a global scale.
Topics: Animals; Bees; Nosema; Pesticides; Varroidae; Animal Diseases
PubMed: 37335585
DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1194