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Occupational exposure to pesticides and associated health effects among greenhouse farm workers

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Abstract

The number and production capacities of greenhouse farms have been increased across the globe, driven by an effort for addressing food security problems related to the rapid population growth and the effects of climate change. As a result, there was a large increase in the number of greenhouse farm workers who are typically involved in chemical preparations and pesticide sprayings, crop harvesting, and greenhouse maintenance activities. Considering the enclosed architecture of the greenhouse farm design and the frequent application of pesticides, the objective of this review was to characterize pesticide exposure levels and resultant health effects among greenhouse farm workers. While most health assessment studies were mainly based on self-reported symptoms, this review showed limited epidemiological and clinical studies on the assessment of the health effects of pesticide exposure on greenhouse workers’ health. Reproductive disorders, respiratory symptoms, neurological symptoms, and skin irritations were the most reported health effects among greenhouse farm workers. Additionally, there were limited studies on respirable pesticide-borne fine and ultrafine particulate matters in greenhouse farms. Ventilation systems and indoor environmental conditions of greenhouse farms were not designed according to specifications of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). Among recommendations provided, long-term exposure assessments of pesticide effects on children born by greenhouse farm workers should be considered in future research. Also, compliance with ASHRAE indoor ventilation and environmental standards will be very important in reducing pesticide exposure and health effects among greenhouse farm workers.

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Abbreviations

AChE:

erythrocyte acetylcholinesterases

AEGL2:

Acute Exposure Guideline Level 2 causes long-lasting and irreversible health effects

APP:

acute pesticides poisoning

ASHRAE:

American Society for Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers

BeChE:

plasma benzoylcholinesterases

BPIAS:

bottom personal inhalable aerosol sampler

BuChE:

plasma butyrylcholinesterases

CAS:

Chemical Abstract Service

CDC:

Centre for Disease Control and Prevention

Cl:

confidence interval

DAP:

dialkyl phosphate

DDT:

dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane

DMAP:

dimethylalkyllphosphate

EU:

endotoxin unit

EXTOXNET:

Extension Toxicology Network Information Profiles

FAO:

Food and Agricultural Organization

FDR:

fecundability density ratio

FEV1:

forced expiratory volume in 1 s

FRAS:

ferric reducing ability serum

FVC:

forced vital capacity

FEVI/FVC:

forced expiratory volume in 1 s to forced vital capacity ratio

GC-MS:

gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

GGT:

gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase

GM:

geometric mean

HPLC:

high-performance liquid chromatography

HR:

hazard ratio

MEF25:

maximal expiratory flow after 25% of FVC not exhaled

MEF50:

maximal expiratory flow after 50% of FVC not exhaled

MMEF:

maximal mid-expiratory flow curve

MP:

melting point

MW:

molecular weight

NIOSH:

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

nM:

nanomolar

OR:

odd ratio

OSHA:

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

PCR:

polymerase chain reaction

PON1:

serum paraoxonase

PPE:

personal protective equipment

SG:

specific gravity

SHT:

total thiol groups

Sol:

solubility at 20 °C

TBARS:

thiobarbituric acid reaction substances

TOXNET:

Toxicology Data Network

US EPA:

US Environmental Protection Agency

Vol:

volatility

VP:

vapor pressure at 20 °C

WHO:

World Health Organization

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Funding

The research team received support provided by the Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) under Grant No. CR/ENG/CAED/16/04.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering, College of Engineering, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 33, Al-Khoudh, P.C., 123, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman

    Patrick Amoatey, Hamid Omidvarborna & Mahad Said Baawain

  2. Department of Soils, Water and Agricultural Engineering, College of Agriculture, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 34, Al-Khoudh, P.C., 123, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman

    Ahmed Al-Mayahi

  3. Global Centre for Clean Air Research, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH, UK

    Hamid Omidvarborna

  4. Department of Biology, College of Science, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 36, Al-Khoudh, P.C., 123, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman

    Hameed Sulaiman

Authors
  1. Patrick Amoatey
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  2. Ahmed Al-Mayahi
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  3. Hamid Omidvarborna
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  4. Mahad Said Baawain
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  5. Hameed Sulaiman
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Correspondence to Mahad Said Baawain.

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Amoatey, P., Al-Mayahi, A., Omidvarborna, H. et al. Occupational exposure to pesticides and associated health effects among greenhouse farm workers. Environ Sci Pollut Res 27, 22251–22270 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-08754-9

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