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Background: Limited epidemiologic studies have investigated the effects of pesticide exposure during pregnancy on low birth weight in offspring in rural China.Methods: A survey of a total of 503 women was conducted in Ling county of Shandong Province of China following delivery from 1 November 2009 to 8 February 2010.Results: After adjustment for confounding and compared with no pesticide exposure, multiple logistic regression showed a non-significant increased likelihood of low birth weight for both children of mothers exposed to pesticides when not pregnant (OR = 1.80, 95% CI: 0.62, 5.22) and mothers exposed to pesticides during pregnancy (OR = 2.42, 95% CI: 0.73, 8.08); multiple linear regression showed a non-significant reduced birth weight for both children of mothers exposed to pesticides when not pregnant (β=–0.59, p=0.28) and mothers exposed to pesticides during pregnancy (β=–0.89, p=0.15).Conclusions: Exposure to pesticides during pregnancy was associated with a non-significant increase in low birth weight in this rural Chinese population. Future studies using larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods are warranted.

Orientador: Herling Gregorio Aguilar Alonzo / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-20T06:53:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Cabral_ElizabethReginadeMelo_M.pdf: 1914359 bytes, checksum: d409b490e5d371f9dcde7ee768da8976 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / Resumo: Introdução: No Brasil, a utilização intensiva de agrotóxicos teve início com o II Plano Nacional de Desenvolvimento (1975-1979), que estimulava compulsoriamente a compra desses produtos pelos agricultores por meio de créditos rurais. Hoje, o país é considerado o maior consumidor de agrotóxicos do mundo. Na agricultura, a utilização deste produto é intensiva e multiquímica e pesquisas relacionadas à exposição a longo prazo aos agrotóxicos são escassas, tanto no conhecimento da extensão da carga química de exposição ocupacional, quanto aos danos à saúde. Objetivo: Determinar as características da exposição a longo prazo a agrotóxicos e suas implicações na saúde dos trabalhadores agrícolas de uma região de Campinas-SP. Método: Trata-se de um estudo descritivo transversal realizado em uma região do Distrito de Saúde Norte, do município de Campinas-SP. Foi realizado o arrolamento dos estabelecimentos e trabalhadores agrícolas. Utilizou-se um questionário semiestruturado abordando variáveis socioeconômicas, demográficas e sobre as condições de saúde, as condições de trabalho, o uso de agrotóxicos, episódios de intoxicação e a dosagem das colinesterases. Para o tempo de exposição aos agrotóxicos criou-se um Índice de Exposição, que quantificou e uniformizou o tempo em categorias (baixa, média, alta e muito alta exposição). Resultados: Participaram do estudo 36 estabelecimentos agrícolas e 205 trabalhadores. O número de trabalhadores que recusaram e/ou foi excluído do estudo perfizeram um total de 14,9%. A população estudada foi constituída predominantemente por adultos jovens do sexo masculino, assalariados (66,8%) e que desenvolvem atividades agrícolas com exposição a agrotóxicos há mais de 10 anos (63,9%). Dentre os trabalhadores, 11,7% relataram um episódio de intoxicação por agrotóxicos e 2% nos últimos 12 meses anteriores à pesquisa. Foram citados 144 nomes comerciais de agrotóxicos, aos quais os trabalhadores foram expostos, isso deu uma média de 4,1 tipos de agrotóxicos (IC 95% 3,9 - 4,6; dp= 3). Quanto às classes de uso, as mais relatadas foram os inseticidas, com 26,4%, seguidos dos fungicidas (20,7%), e herbicidas (20,1%). Apenas 29,2% dos trabalhadores relataram utilizar equipamentos de proteção individual. O tempo médio de exposição aos agrotóxicos foi de 13.611horas (IC 95% ± 3.672 horas), o valor mínimo foi de 44,3h, o valor até o primeiro quartil representou 846h, a mediana representou 4.200h, o terceiro quartil foi de 15.120h e, o valor máximo, de 203.520h de exposição. Nos últimos 12 meses anteriores, 75,6% dos trabalhadores apresentaram alguma sintomatologia relacionada ao uso de agrotóxicos. Irritação ocular (38,1%), dor de cabeça (37,4%) e lacrimejamento (25,2%) foram os sintomas mais referidos. Quanto à dosagem das colinesterases plasmáticas, 7,8% apresentaram redução da atividade. Conclusão: A ocorrência de intoxicações por agrotóxicos esteve dentro do esperado, quando comparado com outros estudos realizados no Brasil. O Índice de Exposição pode ser considerado um método para o estudo das exposições a logo prazo. Com a análise das informações levantadas, dos escassos dados epidemiológicos disponíveis, da avaliação de risco/vulnerabilidade e poder de decisão das populações expostas aos agrotóxicos, percebe-se que as repostas do setor saúde não acompanharam o ritmo, acelerado, de crescimento do setor agropecuário / Abstract: Introduction: In Brazil, the intensive use of pesticides began with the Second National Development Plan (1975-1979), which stimulated compulsorily purchase of such products by farmers through rural credit. Nowadays, the country is considered the largest consumer of pesticides in the world. In agriculture, the use of this product is intensive and multichemical and research related to long-term exposure to pesticides are scarce, both in knowledge of the extent of the chemical burden of occupational exposure, the damage to health. Objective: To determine the characteristics of long-term exposure to pesticides and their implications for the health of farm workers in a region of Campinas. Method: This is a cross-sectional study conducted in a region of the Northern Health District, the city of Campinas. We conducted the inventory of the establishments and agricultural workers. We used a semistructured questionnaire covering socioeconomic, demographic and health conditions, working conditions, the use of pesticides, intoxications and determination of the cholinesterase. For the duration of exposure to pesticides was created an exposure index, which quantified the time and standardized categories (low, medium, high and very high exposure). Results: There were 36 farms and 205 workers. The number of workers who refused and / or was excluded from the study amounted to a total of 14.9%. The study population consisted predominantly of young adult male employees (66.8%) and agricultural activities that develop with exposure to pesticides for over 10 years (63.9%). Among workers, 11.7% reported an episode of pesticide poisoning and 2% in the last 12 months preceding the survey. 144 were cited trade names of pesticides to which workers were exposed, this gave an average of 4.1 different types of pesticides (CI 3.9 to 4.6, SD = 3). The classes use the most pesticides were reported, with 26.4%, followed by fungicides (20.7%) and herbicides (20.1%). Only 29.2% of workers reported using personal protective equipment. The mean duration of exposure to pesticides was 13.611horas (CI ± 3672 hours), the minimum value was 44.3 h, the value represented by the first quartile 846h, the median represented 4.200h, the third quartile was 15.120he, the maximum value of 203.520h exposure. Over the past 12 months, 75.6% of workers had some symptoms related to pesticide use. Eye irritation (38.1%), headache (37.4%) and tearing (25.2%) were the most reported symptoms. As for the dosage of plasma cholinesterase, 7.8% had decreased activity. Conclusion: The occurrence of pesticide poisoning was as expected, when compared with other studies in Brazil. The index of exposure can be considered a method to study the term exposure to right. By analyzing the information gathered, the scarce available epidemiological data, risk assessment / vulnerability and empowerment of populations exposed to pesticides, it is clear that the responses of the health sector have not kept pace, accelerated growth of the agricultural sector / Mestrado / Epidemiologia / Mestre em Saúde Pública

In the UK, dipping sheep with pesticides for treating ectoparasites has been one of the main pesticide applications and it was compulsory between 1984 and 1991 when organophosphates (OPs) were the main ingredients of sheep dips. As a result many current elderly sheep farmers have been exposed to OPs. The acute health effects of many pesticides especially OPs are very well documented, while the effects of long-term exposure are still unclear. Difficulties in assessing past pesticide exposure have been suggested to be one of the main reasons for this uncertainty. The overall aim of this PhD was to develop long-term occupational pesticide exposure models for UK farmers, specifically for OP exposure among sheep dippers, and to apply them to the Study of Health in Agricultural Work (SHAW) in order to examine the associations between long-term pesticide exposure and neuropsychiatric ill-health. A comprehensive conceptual exposure model to assess pesticide exposure during sheep dipping was developed and included five sources of pesticide exposure; handling the concentrate, dipping sheep in the bath, handling sheep after dipping, disposal of sheep dip, and any incidental exposure. Dermal, ingestion and inhalation routes were described for each source and different modifying factors for each route were identified. A semi-quantitative exposure algorithm was developed and all sources, routes and modifying factors were assigned scores and weights by assessment of the literature and expert judgement. The new model was evaluated by comparing its estimates of diazinon exposure among dippers who participated in the Health and Sheep Dipping Survey (HSDS) with diazinon urinary metabolite levels in spot urines collected after the dipping session. The model estimates generally did not correlate well with metabolite levels though there was evidence of an association between total metabolites and ordinal categories of exposure intensity. The uncontrolled conditions of the HSDS and the lack of 24 hr urine collections may have contributed to these results. A probabilistic model was also developed from the conceptual model and indicated that although handling the concentrate and dipping sheep are the most important exposure sources, other sources like handling dipped sheep and disposal of sheep dip should not be neglected. This probabilistic model was applied to different scenarios: probabilistic estimates may give a more comprehensive description of exposures than deterministic estimates as they take into account all conceptual variables. Occupational pesticide exposure among UK farmers in the SHAW study was then estimated using simple surrogates and more sophisticated models. The validity of self-reported exposure history among SHAW farmers was investigated by making comparison with data collected contemporaneously by the June Census. Farmers recall was generally reliable especially for a specific type of livestock or crop rather than the number of livestock or acreage. Associations between screen-identified ill-health and pesticide exposure were only demonstrated by using more developed metrics. Exposure to pesticides but not specifically OPs in sheep farming was associated with neuropathy and Parkinsonism. Exposure to OPs in sheep dipping was associated with a decrease risk of dementia. Depression was not associated with any exposure. In conclusion, this thesis developed a comprehensive model for pesticide exposure from sheep dipping and simpler exposure models for other farming sectors. The application of these models to the SHAW study suggests that long term pesticide exposure among farmers mainly via sheep dipping may result in ill- health; however the associations between exposure and outcomes may only be revealed by the use of more sophisticated exposure models rather than simple exposure surrogates. The study also indicates that even the use of well-derived deterministic estimates might lead to exposure misclassification. This misclassification may be investigated by using probabilistic approaches.

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INTRODUCTION. The enhanced susceptibility of children and adolescents to the adverse effects of pesticides is a priority of regulatory agencies, whose primary concern is typically the development of risk-based regulations to protect consumers and the general population. An important subpopulation occupationally exposed to pesticides at an early age is the children of migrant and seasonal farmworkers (MSFWs). Because this group is difficult to access, information is sparse on their age distributions and chemical exposure. EPA pesticide regulations do not adequately address these younger workers. METHODS. The regular summer health screenings performed on tomato Farms in East Tennessee by Rural Medical Services Inc., a Community and Migrant Health Center, afforded and opportunity for Students in her professions to engage in community-based research to query MSFWs on issues childhood and adolescent pesticide exposure. RESULTS 132 adults participated, with 19 providing information about 33 of their children. MSFWs began working in agriculture in Mexico or Central America did so at younger ages, with 58.8% age 1838.1% of those who started in U.S. (p=0.038). Weather in the US or in Mexico/Central America the proportion of survey children under 12 years old and they began working around pesticide-treated crops was 13.1%. Wars in tomatoes fields in Southeastern U.S.CONCLUSIONS Children under 12 maybe occupationally exposed. The capital MSFW population is a largely intact source of data on childhood and adolescent occupational exposure to pesticides.

Obesity is a disease that increases risk of developing metabolic diseases including insulin resistance (IR), metabolic syndrome (MS), and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Adipose tissue expansion during obesity leads to immune cell infiltration, causing local inflammation and disruption of lipid homeostasis. There is an association between exposure to environmental chemicals, like p,p’-DDE, a metabolite of p,p’-DDT, and diagnosis of obesity, dyslipidemia, IR, and prevalence of MS and T2D. DDE accumulates in fatty tissues and has been shown to have immunomodulatory properties, affecting macrophage and T cell populations. Potential mechanisms were studied by which DDE could modulate adipocyte and immune cell function and facilitate an increased risk of obesity and immune dysregulation, potentially through cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and J774A.1 macrophages were studied for the effects of DDE on adipogenesis and macrophage reactivity, respectively. 3T3-L1 cells were induced to differentiate to adipocytes using a sub-optimal differentiation cocktail with increasing concentrations of DDE (0.5uM-100uM). It was determined that DDE enhanced adipogenesis in a concentration dependent manner and the expression of adipogenic and lipogenic genes, indicating that DDE enhances adipogenesis. In J774A.1 cells, the ability of DDE or 10uM NS-398, a specific COX-2 inhibitor, to inhibit the production of the prostaglandins PGE2, PGD2, PGF2a, was assessed in vitro and in a cellree system. DDE or NS-398 followed by immune challenge reduced cellular PG secretion and reduced PG production in a cell free system, indicating that DDE may interfere with lipid mediator signaling. Additionally, DDE or NS-398 exposure altered gene expression in J774A.1 cells following M1 or M2 polarization stimulus. Lastly, male C57Bl mice were exposed to 2mg/kg DDE for 5 days and the macrophage population of the adipose stromal vascular fraction was analyzed by flow cytometry. Adipose from DDE treated animals contained approximately 40% F4/80+CD11b+ macrophages. These results indicate that DDE may alter the homeostasis of adipose tissue by both enhancing adipogenesis and altering the reactivity of the resident macrophage population in a manner that may contribute to adipose dysfunction. These data suggest a possible mechanism by which DDE exposure may contribute to adiposity and adipose tissue dysfunction commonly seen in metabolic disease.

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Many serious illnesses are linked to everyday exposures to toxic chemicals. In the U.S., most chemical exposure comes from common consumer products such as pesticides, fragranced products, cleaning supplies, and building materials--products so widely used that people consider them "safe." As the links between everyday toxic exposures and potential health effects become better understood, evidence increasingly shows that reducing exposures can create a healthier society. Although some individuals may choose to build a healthy home and maintain a healthy household, they are still exposed to pollutants at their residences from the actions of others, such as to pesticides that are used by neighbors, businesses, and governments. They need healthy residential developments in environmentally healthy communities. This research investigates "healthy residential developments," defined as a property that aims to reduce pollutant exposures to the extent required by vulnerable populations, which for this research are individuals with multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS). Through a case study approach, this research investigates two exemplars of healthy residential developments, and explains how and why they form and continue. It also examines their implementation methods, and implications for planning and policy. Primary data collection methods included in-person interviews, telephone interviews, and site visits. Research strategies included the analysis of interview data, and categorical aggregation using thematic categories within and across cases. The categories focused on factors of formation and continuation for the two healthy residential developments. Findings include the challenges of people disabled with MCS to find safe housing; the importance of planning to address these challenges; the role of individuals, funding, and zoning in the formation of healthy residential developments; the role of funding, safe maintenance, and property management in their continuation; and, the need for affordable and safe housing for vulnerable populations. Future research can address the need to develop methods to create and sustain healthy residential developments, understand and reduce sources of exposure that initiate and trigger chemical sensitivity, and investigate experiences and implementation strategies in other countries.