A monitoring study of workers handling pesticides in warehouses and godowns

Abstract

Monitoring observations made on 60 operators involved in pesticide application work in godowns and warehouses and 60 matched control workers are reported. Occupational exposure history and medical history are noted. Biochemical investigations, plasma and RBC cholinesterase estimations are included along with medical examination of the workers. Workers were found to be mostly exposed to Celphos, DDVP, Malathion, Pyrethrum, etc, and the use of protective devices were very limited. Cases of significant reduction in plasma and RBC cholinesterase activity were found. Frequency of symptoms like dizziness, headache, lachrymation, burning sensation in eyes, nausea and anorexia, etc, were much more in the exposed workers. No cases of clinical poisoning attributable to occupational exposure to pesticides were reported by the workers.     

Comparative toxicity of some pesticides on human health and some aquatic species

Abstract

Inhibition studies have been carried on the hydrolysis reactions catalyzed by cholinesterases taken from electric eel, human and horse serums by Sevin, Aldrin and Malathion. Three esters of p‐nitrophenol have been used as substrates. The degree of inhibition has been used as a measure of the comparative toxicity of these pesticides on these cholinesterases.     

Residues of organochlorine pesticides in fishes in Sudan

Abstract

Cotton‐producing areas of the Centrol Sudan, bordered by the Blue and the White Nile, have been subjected to repeated applications of pesticides. This region is irrigated by a series of canals, the Gezira canals, which hold large amounts of fresh water. Lake Nubia at the Sudan‐Egypt border is another important fresh water reservoir and fisheries ground. Fish from both the Gezira and Lake Nubia showed elevated concentrations of pesticides, suggesting that continued pesticides application would endanger the equatic fauna of this region and the proposed fresh water fishery.     

Knowledge and beliefs regarding agricultural pesticides in rural Guatemala

Throughout Central America, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Zamorano Pan-American Agricultural School support a Safe Pesticide Use program. In 1993, a study of results was carried out among farmers and housewives in eastern Guatemala. Aspects of the methodology included: (1) participation of extension workers in all aspects of the study; (2) small, region-focused samples (eight cells, 30 interviews per cell); (3) comparison to control groups of untrained farmers and housewives; (4) a traditional questionnaire for studying acquisition of specific knowledge; and (5) a flexible instrument for building a cognitive map of knowledge and beliefs regarding pesticides. The cognitive map is a step toward applying modern psychocultural scaling, an approach already well developed for medicine and public health, to environmental problems. Positive results detected include progress at learning the meaning of colors on containers that denote toxicity and where to store pesticides. Pesticide application problems detected were mention by farmers of highly toxic, restricted pesticides as appropriate for most pest problems and of insecticides as the correct solution to fungus problems, and the widespread belief that correct pesticide dosage depends on number of pests seen rather than on land or foliage surface. Health-related problems detected were admission by a vast majority of housewives that they apply highly toxic pesticides to combat children's head-lice; low awareness that pesticides cause health problems more serious than nausea, dizziness, and headaches; and a common belief that lemonade and coffee are effective medicines for pesticide poisoning.     

Environmental and lifestyle factors for organochlorine exposure among women living in Southern Spain

Southern Spain has the largest area of intensive greenhouse agriculture in Europe, and may constitute a special case of occupational and female exposure, because this type of farming requires considerable pesticide use and employs many women. We measured adipose tissue levels of 14 organochlorine pesticides in 458 women living in this area and analyzed the relationship between pesticide level/presence and sociodemographic characteristics, reproductive history or life-style factors that may influence this exposure. Pesticide presence was determined by gas chromatography with electron-capture detector. All fat samples were positive for 1 residue. DDT or metabolites were found in 98.25%, with mean value of 660 ng g⁻¹ of lipid. p,p′-DDE level was higher in women who were older, with lower educational level or obese. Almost 70% had measurable levels of endosulfan and/or metabolites, with a mean total value of 38.8 ng g⁻¹ of lipid. Endosulfan-I exposure was higher in women with shorter residence in rural settings and more frequent in women with 3 children. 52.62% were exposed to 1 of aldrin–dieldrin–endrin group. Endrin was more frequent in women who were younger, with higher educational level or no agricultural working experience; dieldrin was more frequent in women who were older, with lower educational level or more children. Finally, lindane residues were found in 39.30%. Lindane levels were higher in women who breastfed longer or had more children. Research is required on women occupationally exposed to a selected group of organochlorine pesticides, especially those of reproductive age, as a basis for preventive action.     

Effects of prevalent freshwater chemical contaminants on in vitro growth of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae

Many surface and ground waters in the continental US are contaminated with a variety of chemical pollutants, which are usually present in concentrations in the ppm and ppb range. The effects of these pollutants on coliform bacteria, which are prominent members of the aquatic flora, are poorly understood. Using a microtiter plate assay, isolates of Escherichia coli (from chicken intestine and fresh water), and an isolate of Klebsiella pneumoniae (from bovine milk) were exposed to varying concentrations of common pollutants over a 24 h period. The herbicides/pesticides simazine, atrazine, and diazinon; the VOCs trichloroethene and MTBE; the estrogens estradiol and estrone; and caffeine, all failed to inhibit bacterial growth at ppm levels. Only ethylene glycol, and the herbicide 2,4-D, significantly inhibited bacterial growth compared to controls. These results suggest that the replication of coliform bacteria in fresh waters is not adversely impacted by many common pollutants.     

Populations, longevity, mortality and fecundity of Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera, Chrysopidae) from olive-orchards with different agricultural management systems

The influence that different styles of olive-orchard management (conventional, integrated, and organic) exert on the predator Chrysoperla carnea has been studied to strengthen this insect’s role in the integrated management against pests. For this, the adult chrysopid populations were determined by McPhail traps, and laboratory examinations were made of certain biological characteristics of the first generation of adults captured in each of the olive orchards studied. The chrysopid populations increasing significantly during some months in the integrated and organic olive orchard. The most abundant species in all the zones was C. carnea, representing 95% of all captures in the conventional olive orchard. It was found that the larvae from the integrated olive orchard took longer to develop, while the pupae from the organic orchard evolved most rapidly to adulthood. The highest mortality rate was for larvae in the conventional olive orchard. The fecundity of the females from the organic orchards was significantly greater, presumably due to their greater longevity and shorter pre-oviposition period. These results can be used to improve conservation strategies and to increase C. carnea populations and their predatory activity.     

Analytical approaches for determining human exposure to pesticides

Abstract

The presence of pesticides, both persistent and biodegradable, in the environment is a problem which is both significant and potentially dangerous to humans. An index of biodegradability is presented which is based on the correlation between environmental stability and fat solubility. Halogenated pesticides are, therefore, both more fat soluable and more resistant to biodegradation, while methylated pesticides are more water soluable and, therefore, more biodegradable. Three methods for detecting low‐levels of halogenated pesticides are presented: the Macro, the Micro “Florisil,”; and the Micro “Silica.”; A method is also presented to detect these chemicals in blood. Two methods for the detection of nonpersistent, organophosphorus and carbamate insecticides, Cholinesterase inhibition and urinary metabolites, are described. Finally, methods of monitoring human exposure through the detection of phenols, phenoxy acids, alkyl phophates, and anilines are presented.     

On the scope and management of pesticide pollution of Swedish groundwater resources: The Scanian example

Twenty-three south-Swedish public supply wells were studied to assess pesticide pollution of regional groundwater resources. Relations between pesticide occurrence, hydrogeology, and land use were analyzed using Kohonen’s Self-Organizing Maps approach. Pesticides are demonstrated to be substantially present in regional groundwater, with detections in 18 wells. Concentrations above the drinking water threshold are confirmed for nine wells. Observations indicate considerable urban influence, and lagged effects of past, less restricted use. Modern, oxic waters from shallow, unconfined, unconsolidated or fracture-type bedrock aquifers appear particularly vulnerable. Least affected waters appear primarily associated with deeper wells, anoxic conditions, and more confined sediment aquifers lacking urban influence. Comprehensive, standardized monitoring of pesticides in groundwater need to be implemented nationwide to enable sound assessments of pollution status and trends, and to develop sound groundwater management plans in accordance with the Water Framework Directive. Further, existing water protection areas and associated regulations need to be reassessed.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s13280-014-0548-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

A chemostat system for investigating pesticide biodegradation in continuous mixed bacteria cultures originating from surface water

To be able to predict the degradation (rate) of organic chemicals (e.g. pesticides) in the field, knowledge of the environmental conditions that are of influence on the degradation process are of importance. In the present study an experimental system is described which is used to study the degradation of organic pollutants in mixed bacteria cultures originating from surface water. With this system the degradation of compounds can be followed for relatively long experimental periods (months). In addition, it is possible to vary different environmental parameters in order to investigate their influences on the degradation of the chemical. These preliminary experiments show that growth and ‘composition’ of the bacteria culture have comparable patterns in parallel experiments. The first order degradation rate constant for the test compound dichloran, as calculated from these experiments under these circumstances, is about 0.002 h⁻¹.