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Exposure to Pesticides in Children and Adolescents From a Rural Community in Brazil

2007; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; Volume: 18; Issue: 5 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1097/01.ede.0000276788.72775.31

1531-5487

Paula de Novaes Sarcinelli, R de Souza, Ana Cristina Simões Rosa, Marianne Medeiros Tabalipa, Juliana de Rezende Chrisman, J.A. Cachique Hernández,

Pesticide Exposure and Toxicity

ISEE-633 Objective: An intensive use of pesticides is observed in the agricultural area of Rio de Janeiro state, at the county of Nova Friburgo. The average consumption of pesticides in this region reaches a value exceeding almost 3 times the average consumption of the state. This study searched to assess the exposure to pesticides in children and adolescents living and working in this area and to investigate possible effects associated to this high exposure. Materials and Methods: A group of 63 exposed children and adolescents from this area and other 67 students from an urban Public School, comprising the comparative group, were investigated through a battery of clinical, laboratorial, neuropsychological and neurobehavioral tests, in a cross sectional study. Rural and urban participants were matched for age (10–18 years), sex, and level in school. Specific questionnaires for each evaluation have been applied, including occupational history and a food frequency questionnaire. Nutritional status and sexual development have been assessed through anthropometric measures and auto evaluation through Tanner spread sheets. Results: We have evidenced a sexual development below normal in 40% of the adolescents from the exposed group, against 20% from the control group, at the same category. Methoxychlor and Endossulfan showed negative correlations with age at menarche (r = −1.000, P = 0.02; r = −0.980, P = 0.018). Besides these effects we also observed psychological and cognitive impairment in higher proportions between exposed children. Exposed participants showed lower performance than controls at neuropsychological tests for memory and attention. Prevalence of neurological symptoms in exposed group was higher than in controls (OR = 11.4, IC = 3.8 − 36). Conclusions: Effects related to sexual development may suggest the action of endocrine system disrupters. Female participants showed a statistically higher prevalence for biochemical effects, clinical and neuropsychological, suggesting a predisposition of this group to the toxic action of pesticides.