Assessment of DNA damage and cholinesterase activity in soybean farmers in southern Brazil: High versus low pesticide exposure

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the DNA damage in soybean growers during two agricultural periods of a crop season (high and low exposure) and a control group, as well as butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activity during these exposure periods in order to estimate the degree of BChE inhibition for the exposed group. DNA damage in peripheral whole blood was evaluated by the comet assay and plasma BChE activity was accessed as a measure of exposure to cholinesterase inhibitors. None of the soybean growers reported using full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). BChE was lower in high exposure period than in low exposure period and DNA damage index was significantly increased in the high exposure period than in the low exposure period. In addition, DNA damage in both exposure periods was higher than control group. No correlation was found between exposure time and DNA damage and BChE activity. However, negative correlation was observed between DNA damage in high and low exposure periods. The results indicate that soybean growers are exposed to cholinesterase inhibitors and to pesticides mixtures with genotoxic potential.