Toxicological evaluation of the immune function of pesticide workers, a European wide assessment
Articolo
Data di Pubblicazione:
2008
Citazione:
Toxicological evaluation of the immune function of pesticide workers, a European
wide assessment / P. Steerenberg, L. van Amelsvoort, C. Colosio, E. Corsini, S. Fustinoni, T. Vergieva, C. Zaikov, S. Pennanen, J. Liesivuori, H. Van Loveren. - In: HUMAN & EXPERIMENTAL TOXICOLOGY. - ISSN 0960-3271. - 27:9(2008 Sep), pp. 701-707.
Abstract:
In this study, the prolonged low-dose exposure of mixtures of pesticides has been
examined on hematological parameters and components of the immune defense in
occupationally exposed humans. This investigation was carried out in five field
studies in: the Netherlands (flower bulb growers, mainly re-entry workers), Italy
(vineyard workers), Finland (potato farmers), and Bulgaria (workers from a zineb
factory and greenhouse workers). Immunotoxicity was studied by measuring
hematological parameters, complement, immunoglobulins, lymphocyte subpopulations,
natural killer cells, autoimmunity, and antibody responses to hepatitis B
vaccination. The total study population consisted of 248 pesticide-exposed and
231 non-occupationally exposed workers. As a surrogate measure of pesticide
exposure the urinary excretion of ethylenethiourea (ETU), the main metabolite
ethylenebisdithiocarbamates was measured. A significantly higher level of ETU in
occupationally exposed subjects compared with controls (2.7 +/- 8.1 mug/g vs 0.5
+/- 3.7 mug/g creatinine) was found. Statistically significant differences,
albeit very low, were found for complement C3 and C4 and the immunoglobulin
classes IgG4 and IgA. For complement and IgG4, the levels were slightly increased
and the level of IgA was decreased. In the lymphocyte populations, the CD8
subpopulation was increased. No effects were found on autoimmune antibodies and
antibody response to hepatitis vaccination. In conclusion, pesticide exposure
under various work place conditions in Europe was associated only with some
subtle effects on the immune system, which may suggest that occupational exposure
to pesticides does not influence the immunologic system in a clinically
significant fashion, and does not pose a significant health risk to the exposed
subjects.
Tipologia IRIS:
01 - Articolo su periodico
Keywords:
Epidemiology; Multicentre study; Pesticides
Elenco autori:
P. Steerenberg, L. van Amelsvoort, C. Colosio, E. Corsini, S. Fustinoni, T. Vergieva, C. Zaikov, S. Pennanen, J. Liesivuori, H. Van Loveren
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