Health risk assessment from dermal exposure to pesticide residues on vegetables among greengrocers in fresh market,Bangkok, Thailand

Pesticide residues (PRs) in market vegetables have been reported regularly. Greengrocers may be exposed to several sorts of PRs on vegetables through hand contact. Health risk assessment from occupational exposure to PRs on vegetables is particularly concerning. This study was conducted among 91 vegetable vendors at a large fresh market in Bangkok. Hand wipe samples were collected in the dry season to extract and analyze PRs including organophosphates (OPs), pyrethroids (PYs), and carbamates (CAs) by gas chromatography (GC-FPD/GC-μECD) and liquid chromatography (LC–MS). The results showed that all wipe samples contained OPs, PYs, and CAs, mainly chlorpyrifos (0.01–0.14 µg/hands) and cypermethrin (0.42–11.64 µg/hands). The frequently detected PRs were aldicarb (87.2%), carbofuran (69.2%), permethrin (63.7%), and profenofos (60.0%). At 99th percentile values of PR exposure, average daily dose was 2.42 × 10^?5 mg/kg/d and hazard index did not exceed the acceptable level (0.287). Glove wearing, hand washing, and work-related factors were significantly associated with PRs on hands after adjusted for gender (p-value < 0.05). Greengrocers may therefore not be at risk from PRs on vegetables and exposure via hands during their work. However, these findings suggest that proper personal hygiene practices among greengrocers should be considered to prevent them from PR exposure and potential health risks.     

Health risk assessment of residential exposure to cypermethrin among young children in agricultural communities in northeastern Thailand

This study aimed to identify factors associated with dermal exposure to cypermethrin and assess the health risks among young children in an agricultural community in Thailand. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with the parents/caregivers of 58 children (aged 1–3 years). Wipe samples were analyzed for cypermethrin by gas chromatography-microelectron capture detection (GC-µECD). Health risk assessments were based on the cypermethrin concentration on the children’s hands and feet. Spearman’s correlation indicated significant associations among cypermethrin concentrations on the hands, feet, floors/wooden beds, and toys (rho?=?0.438–0.613, p-value <0.001). Cypermethrin concentrations on the hands were significantly and inversely correlated with the child’s caregiver being the child’s mother and insecticide use (p?<?0.01). Concentrations on the feet were significantly correlated with insecticide use (p?<?0.05) and showering (p?<?0.01). The hazard quotient calculated from dermal exposure via the hands and feet showed no risk for potential noncarcinogenic effects (5.586?×?10^?5 in the dry season and 4.301?×?10^?4 in the wet season). These findings suggest that young children might not be at risk for cypermethrin exposure through the dermal route. Residential exposure among young children may be reduced by improved hygiene. Health risk assessments of environmental insecticide exposure via the oral and inhalation routes require further investigation.     

Toxicological evaluation of multi-class pesticide residues in vegetables and associated human health risk study for adults and children

This article describes, for the first time in 10 years, the toxicological evaluation of pesticide residues in highly consumed vegetables (35 commodities) and health risk studies. Among 1075 vegetable samples consisting mainly of tuber, root, fruiting, and Brassica, 20% of samples contained 38 pesticides in the range of 0.005–18.7 mg/kg and 1% > maximum residue limits (MRLs). Organophosphates and chloronitrile were most frequently found (20%) in the pesticide class. The highest concentration of 18.7 mg/kg was noted for dichlofluanid. Fruiting vegetables (8%), especially tomatoes (5%), were the most contaminated, while multi-residues were determined in 5% of the samples. Risk assessment was performed by analytical results and consumption on the 97.5 percentile expressed as hazard index (HI) and hazard quotient (HQ). The highest chronic HI was calculated for diazinon in lettuce (32% Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) adults and 36% children) and for forbidden dieldrin in carrots (26%, 62% ADI). The highest acute HI was estimated for dichlofluanid in lettuce (69% Acute Reference Dose (ARfD)) for adults, whereas for children it was above the acceptance values of ARfD (168%). Organophosphate insecticides with common mode of action showed the greatest HQ (108% ADI). Vegetables may not be a serious problem for consumers, but investigations on pesticide residues are necessary to ensure food safety and the protection of human health, especially toward children who are more highly exposed to pesticides than adults.     

Knowledge,attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to blood cholinesterase level among tobacco farmers in Northern Thailand

Abstract

Tobacco is one of the crops using a lot of pesticides, especially organophosphate and carbamate pesticides. A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate knowledge, attitudes, and Practices (KAP) related to blood cholinesterase levels related to pesticide use among tobacco farmers. A questionnaire and a reactive-paper finger blood test were completed by 44 tobacco farmers. The results showed that most of the participants were females (75.0%) between 51 and 60 years old (54.5%). Almost 95.5% of respondents acknowledged that they should wear a mask while spraying and most of them read pesticide labels before use (93.2%). Most of the tobacco farmers had moderate level of knowledge and attitudes, 63.6% and 70.5%, respectively and good practice (84.1%). The prevalence of risky levels of blood cholinesterase among tobacco farmers in the study area was high. The study found a strongly significant association between level of knowledge and blood cholinesterase level (P < 0.001). Policy implementation and risk communication will be introduced to the community in order to develop a safety program. Government authorities should be provided with the appropriate recommendations regarding pesticide exposure of tobacco farmers in this area.     

Cancer and non-cancer health risk assessment associated with exposure to non-methane hydrocarbons among roadside vendors in Delhi,India

Abstract

This study estimates the cancer and non-cancer health risk among the roadside vendors in Delhi, the capital city of India. Air samples of selected NMHCs and their derivatives were collected from four different sites (one traffic intersection, one industrial, and two residential) in Delhi and were analyzed on Gas Chromatograph (GC) to obtain their atmospheric concentrations. At each site, a survey among the roadside vendors was also conducted to obtain information about their bodyweight and exposure to outdoor ambient air. The study reveals that hazard quotient of 1,3-butadiene is greater than one at all the sites, with its maximum value occurring at the industrial site. The major contributors to the workplace cancer risk (WCR) are found to be 1,3-butadiene and chloroform. The overall WCR is observed to be the highest (9.4?×?10^?4) at the traffic intersection site, followed by the industrial site (7.0?×?10^?4). Cancer incidence data and the population data are also used to estimate the growth of cancer risk in Delhi from 2009 to 2016. Comparison of the WCR values of the four sites with the cancer risk estimated from the cancer incidence data shows that NMHCs and their derivatives are significant contributors to the overall cancer risk in Delhi. Our results suggest that NMHCs and their derivatives need to be given due consideration in the National Cancer Control Programme of India.     

Factors associated with negative self-perception of oral health among elderly people in a Brazilian community

Objective: Self‐perception of oral health is an important measurement for assessing the health and quality of life of elderly people. The aim of this study was to analyse associations between negative self‐perception of oral health and poor oral state, socio‐demographic variables, depression and use of medications. Method: In this cross‐sectional study, elderly people aged 60 to 74 years living in the urban zone of a city in southern Brazil were interviewed and examined. Functionally dependent individuals were excluded. Self‐perception was measured using the General Oral Health Assessment Index, and scores of 30 points or less were considered to represent negative perception. The physical, social and worry dimensions of this indicator were also analysed. Results: Two hundred and sixty‐seven elderly people (mean age 66.5 years, 59.9% female) were included in the study. Most of them had had little schooling. Negative self‐perception was identified in 18.7%, although none of the poor oral state was associated with this variable. In multivariate analysis, negative self‐perception was associated with female gender and depression. The women presented significantly lower means in the three dimensions analysed and individuals with depression, in the physical and social dimensions. Poor oral health (edentulism and absence of posterior occlusion) were associated with the physical dimension. Conclusion: Negative self‐perception of oral health was associated with gender and depression, but not with poor oral health. Therefore, gender and the presence of depression are factors to be taken into account in assessments involving this age group.     

Factors associated with blood zinc,chromium, and lead concentrations in residents of the Nam Pong River in Thailand

This cross-sectional analytical study aimed to determine the blood levels of zinc (B-Zn), chromium (B-Cr), and lead (B-Pb) and to identify the factors influencing these levels in the blood of residents of the Nam Pong River. Quantitative data collection was utilized, and systematic random sampling was conducted to obtain 420 samples for measuring serum heavy metals, including B-Zn, B-Cr, and B-Pb. Multiple regression analysis was used to identify factors influencing the accumulation of heavy metals in the population, reported mean differences, 95% confidence intervals, and p values. The average levels of heavy metals were 74.38 ± 14.00 µg/dL (95% confidence interval [CI]: 73.03–75.72) for zinc, 0.28 ± 0.23 µg/L (95% CI: 0.26–0.30) for chromium, and 2.80 ± 1.60 µg/dL (95% CI: 2.64–2.95) for lead, which all were within normal limits. Factors influencing zinc levels included occupational exposure (batteries) (mean diff = 11.56; 95% CI: 1.81–21.32, p value = 0.02) and consumption of fish from the river exceeding 300 grams/meal or three times/week (mean diff = 4.68; 95% CI: 0.09–9.45, p value = 0.05). Factors influencing chromium levels included a history of past illness (mean diff = 0.19; 95% CI: 0.05–0.34, p value = 0.01) and dust/chemical exposure from industry (mean diff = 0.05; 95% CI: 0.00–0.11, p value = 0.05). Factors influencing lead concentrations included gender (mean diff = 1.82; 95% CI: 0.26–1.98, p value = 0.001), smoking (mean diff = 1.03; 95% CI: 0.60–1.45, p value < 0.001), and occupational exposure (garage) (mean diff = 1.11; 95% CI: 0.27–1.94, p value = 0.01).     

Evaluation of health risks associated with trace metal exposure in water from the Barekese reservoir in Kumasi,Ghana

Abstract

Reservoirs play a pertinent role in providing potable water to humans and aquatic animals. Exposure to trace metal pollution in water may threaten aquatic ecosystem and human health. In this study, total and dissolved trace metals pollution and health risk they posed to humans in water sampled from the Barekese reservoir in Kumasi were investigated. Levels of Hg, As, Ni, and Cr in the water exceeded the WHO and USEPA stipulated limits. Arsenic and Cd recorded the highest non-carcinogenic health risk to humans. Hazard quotients (HQs) ?1 were recorded for an adult (HQ = 9.05) and a child (HQ = 21.11) via oral exposure to dissolved As in water samples. High HQ values of 40.10 and 17.20 for a child and an adult respectively were recorded through oral exposure for As. HQ of 1.41 was estimated for a child’s risk via dermal exposure to total Cd in water from the reservoir. Cancer risks of 1.63?×?10^?5 and 2.33?×?10^?6 were respectively recorded for a child and an adult oral exposure to dissolved As, suggesting possible adverse effects. The study concludes that anthropogenic activities within the Barekese catchment are deteriorating its water quality.