Pilot study of exposure of the male population to organophosphate and pyrethroid pesticides in a region of high agricultural activity (Córdoba, Argentina)

Urinary metabolites of organophosphate (OP) and pyrethroid (PYR) pesticides and biomarkers of effects were studied in a population (n=40) residing in an important agricultural area of the province of Córdoba (Argentina). Detection frequencies (DF) higher than 85% were observed for the metabolites of pirimiphos (2-diethylamino-6-methylpyrimidin-4-ol –DEAMPY-, median 7.5 μg/g creatinine, DF: 100%), parathion (p-nitrophenol, 0.99 μg/g creatinine, 100%), and chlorpyrifos (3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol, 0.25 μg/g creatinine, 85%). The DEAMPY concentrations doubled the levels found in other studies and were negatively associated with Er-AChE activity, suggesting the appearance of health effects already in environmental exposure levels below established acceptable daily intakes (ADIs). 3-Phenoxybenzoic acid, the metabolite of several PYR pesticides, was also found in all samples. This metabolite was also significantly negatively correlated with Er-AChE, indicating effects of pyrethroid pesticides on the acetylcholine system even at concentrations below the ADI.

This work was supported by grants from the Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Técnica (FONCyT-PICT2015-1784), Secretaría de Ciencia y Técnica (SECyT, UNC, Res. 411/2018), and Project EDCMET (H2020-HEALTH/0490-825762) funded by the European Union. The present work is part of the PhD thesis of I. Filippi, who gratefully acknowledges a fellowship from CONICET. Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica (Grant ref: FONCyT-PICT2015-1784). Principal investigator recipient: Dr. Maria V Amé Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica (Grant ref: UNC, Rs. 411/2018). Principal investigator recipient: Dr. Maria V Amé Horizon 2020 Framework Programme (Grant ref: H2020-HEALTH/0490-825762). Principal investigator recipient: Prof. Joan O. Grimalt

Peer reviewed