Prevalence of chromosomal aberrations in Argentinean agricultural workers

Little is known about biosecurity measures and toxic effects during pesticide application in the province of Jujuy, Argentina, particularly concerning the protective measures and mixture of pesticides used by rural workers. We carried out an observational study of agricultural workers from Jujuy (76 exposed subjects and 53 controls) to investigate the prevalence of chromosomal aberrations (CAs) in human lymphocytes as well as the activity level of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in red blood cell erythrocytes. Whole blood samples (5 mL) were collected in heparinized Vacutainer tubes for cytogenetic analysis and erythrocyte cholinesterase activity determination according to Ellman’s method. Cytogenetic results showed a significant CA increase in pesticide-exposed individuals as compared with controls (4.20 ± 0.15 vs. 1.00 ± 0.05, respectively; p < 0.001), suggesting that pesticides are clastogenic agents causing DNA damage. Erythrocyte cholinesterase activity was significantly lower in exposed individuals, evidencing the possible occurrence of perturbations in blood as well as neurotoxicity in pesticide sprayers. These results suggest the need for periodic biomonitoring of these biomarkers together with education and training of occupational workers for the safe application of potentially harmful pesticides.

Fil: Bianco Sadir, Graciela Eugenia. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; Argentina

Fil: Suarez, Eva. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; Argentina

Fil: Cazon, Lauro. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; Argentina

Fil: de la Puente, Teresita Beatriz. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; Argentina

Fil: Ahrendts, Marcelo Rafael Benitez. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; Argentina

Fil: de Luca, Julio Cesar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico CONICET- La Plata. Instituto de Genética Veterinaria "Ing. Fernando Noel Dulout". Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Instituto de Genética Veterinaria; Argentina