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Synthetic Pesticides and Health in Vulnerable Populations: Agricultural Workers

Current Environmental Health Reports volume 7, pages 13–29 (2020)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose of Review

This review aims to summarize epidemiological literature published between May 15, 2018, and May 14, 2019, that examines the relationship between exposure to synthetic pesticides and health of agricultural workers.

Recent Findings

Current research suggests that exposure to synthetic pesticides may be associated with adverse health outcomes. Agricultural workers represent a potentially vulnerable population, due to a combination of unique social and cultural risk factors as well as exposure to hazards inherent in agricultural work. Pesticide exposure among agricultural workers has been linked to certain cancers, DNA damage, oxidative stress, neurological disorders, and respiratory, metabolic, and thyroid effects.

Summary

This review describes literature suggesting that agricultural workers exposed to synthetic pesticides are at an increased risk of certain cancers and neurological disorders. Recent research on respiratory effects is sparse, and more research is warranted regarding DNA damage, oxidative stress, metabolic outcomes, and thyroid effects.

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: •• Of major importance

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Funding

Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number K01ES028745.

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  1. Center for Excellence in Environmental Health and Safety, Boise State University, 1910 University Dr., Boise, ID, 83725, USA

    Cynthia L. Curl, Meredith Spivak, Rachel Phinney & Luke Montrose

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  1. Cynthia L. Curl
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  2. Meredith Spivak
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  3. Rachel Phinney
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Correspondence to Cynthia L. Curl.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Synthetic Chemicals and Health

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Curl, C.L., Spivak, M., Phinney, R. et al. Synthetic Pesticides and Health in Vulnerable Populations: Agricultural Workers. Curr Envir Health Rpt 7, 13–29 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40572-020-00266-5

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Keywords

  • Farmworkers
  • Pesticide exposure
  • Synthetic pesticides
  • Agricultural workers
  • Cancer
  • DNA damage