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Levels of Ethylenethiourea (u-ETU) in a Population Living Near Vineyards

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Abstract

Dithiocarbamates (DTC) are the most commonly used synthetic fungicides in the Prosecco District (PD) of Treviso. The DTC biomarker is urinary ethylenethiourea (u-ETU). The aims of this biomonitoring study are to describe the level of u-ETU in residents in PD and to identify the factors associated with DTC exposure. In 2012 (baseline), we randomly extracted data for 126 children (3–5 years) and their families (260 adults), who were resident in 8 municipalities of PD and not occupationally exposed to DTC, from the local health database. For each subject, we obtained urine samples and socio-demographic, lifestyle and dietary information. In 2014 (after intervention), we evaluated the possible changes in u-ETU in 54 adults and 55 children at high risk of DTC exposure. The median baseline u-ETU was 0.35 µg/L. Approximately 5% of the samples had a u-ETU concentration > 5 µg/L. No u-ETU concentration exceeded 21 µg/L. Determinants of a higher u-ETU concentration were wine consumption (OR 2.04) and personal use of pesticides (OR 2.70) for adults; and living within 30 m from a vineyard (OR 9.51) and the pesticides use in the family (OR 6.25) for children. A significant u-ETU reduction in 49 adults and 25 children was observed from baseline to after intervention (p = 0.01). Wine consumption and production and DTC use in gardening influenced u-ETU concentrations in this population, although the levels were relatively low. The reduction in u-ETU from baseline to time after intervention probably reflects the effects of public health interventions.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the personnel of the Public Health Department of Treviso and the municipality technicians who played an important role in data collection and the families who participated in this study.

Funding

This study was supported by the Province of Treviso and the Mountain Community of Prealpi Trevigiane. The funding sources had no involvement in the collection, analysis and interpretation of the data, the writing of the manuscript or the decision to submit the article for publication.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Area, DAME, University of Udine, Via Colugna 50, 33100, Udine, Italy

    Francesca Sammartano & Giulia Bravo

  2. Institute of Hygiene and Clinical Epidemiology, University Hospital of Udine, Via Colugna 50, 33100, Udine, Italy

    Luigi Castriotta

  3. Department of Prevention, AULSS 2 - Marca Trevigiana, Via Lubin 1, 31053, Pieve di Soligo, Treviso, Italy

    Ester Chermaz, Giovanni Moro, Sabina Bolzan, Martina Bortoletto & Sandro Cinquetti

  4. Medical Director’s Office, Pordenone Civil Hospital, Azienda per l’Assistenza Sanitaria 5– Friuli Occidentale, Via della Vecchia Ceramica 1, 33170, Pordenone, Italy

    D’Anna Little

  5. Department of Cardiologic, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, Public Health Branch, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128, Padova, Italy

    Giovanni Battista Bartolucci, Mariella Carrieri & Fabiola Salamon

  6. Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo”, via dell’Istria, 65/1, 34137, Trieste, Italy

    Fabio Barbone

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  1. Francesca Sammartano
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Correspondence to Fabio Barbone.

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Sammartano, F., Castriotta, L., Chermaz, E. et al. Levels of Ethylenethiourea (u-ETU) in a Population Living Near Vineyards. Expo Health 12, 227–241 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12403-019-00307-x

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