The Impact of Pesticides - Academy Publish

In mixtures of pesticides is important to note that each active ingredient has aspecific mode of action to control a pest, and has its own side effects on wildlife andhumans exposed to it. Thus, occupational exposure to pesticides may increase therisk of adverse reproductive outcomes or disorders of the nervous system, causingimmunosuppression and may even cause cancer in adulthood and also may induceheritable changes. The focus on chemical interactions, particularly inenvironmentally relevant concentrations, is an important step forward in ourunderstanding of the impact of mixtures on human health and the environment.CONCLUSIONOur study shows that, under the conditions of this experimental work, intensive andextensive crop workers exposed to pesticide mixtures have enzymatic alterations,modifications in oxidative balance and genotoxic damage when compared tocontrols. Further studies should be carried out enlarging the sample size andconducting a serial and routine monitoring of populations exposed to pesticidemixtures, using effect and exposure biomarkers.In conclusion: a) farmers should be advised to use protective measures during allactivities that imply pesticide handling, b) individuals under exposure risk must bemonitored frequently to minimize potentially harmful effects of pesticides on theDNA, c) the evaluation of population risks associated with pesticide exposure in ourcountry should proceed.REFERENCESAebi, H. (1984). Catalase in vitro, Method. Enzymol., 105, 121-6.Akcha, F.; Leday, G. & Pfohl-Leszkowicz, A. (2003). Potential value of the Cometassay and DNA adduct measurement in dab (Limanda limanda) for assessment of insitu exposure to genotoxic compounds, Mutat. Res., 534, 21–32.Akhgari, M. (2003). Biochemical evidence for free radical induced lipidperoxidation as a mechanism for subchronic toxicity of malathion in blood and liverof rats, Hum. Exp. Toxicol., 22, 4, 205-211.Albertini, R.J.; Anderson, D.; Douglas, G.R.; Hagmar, L.; Hemminki, K.; Merlo, F.;Natarajan, A.T.; Norppa, H.; Shuker, D.E.; Tice, R.; Waters, M.D. & Aitio A.(2000). IPCS guidelines for the monitoring of genotoxic effects of carcinogens inhumans. International Programme on Chemical Safety. Mutat. Res. 463: 111–172.Altuntas, I.; Delibas, N.; Doguc, D.K.; Ozmen, S. & Gultekin, F. (2003). Role ofreactive oxygen species in organophosphate insecticide phosalone toxicity inerythrocytes in vitro, Toxicol. in Vitro, 17, 153–157.Anderson, D. (2001) Factors that contribute to biomarker responses in humansincluding a study in individuals taking vitamin C supplementation, Mutat. Res.,480–481, 337–47.Arevila, A.; Ramos, J. & Jimenez, B. (1997). Evaluacion de la contaminaciondispersa por agroquímicos en Mexico. Ingenierıa Ambiental.1: 26–30.AcademyPublish.org - The Impact of Pesticides97