Evaluación de la exposición a mezclas de plaguicidas en población del municipio de Montelíbano (Córdoba) en Colombia, 2021

Abstract

In Colombia, agricultural and mining activities generate contamination with metals and pesticides in the different environmental matrices, with potential effects on human health and on the components of the ecosystem, also constituting a risk factor in food security. Although living organisms are exposed to mixtures of pollutants simultaneously, the toxic effect of the interactions between these substances or the chronic effects on health is not known with certainty, since most of the studies of mixtures have been carried out in different animal models with in vivo and in vitro studies. Objective: To determine the exposure to mixtures of organochlorine, organophosphate and carbamate pesticides in the population of the municipality of Montelíbano (Córdoba) in Colombia. Materials and methods: a cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted, a non-probabilistic sampling was carried out, in 99 people in Montelíbano (Córdoba) 63.6% of the sample was occupationally exposed and 36.4% environmentally exposed. Measurements of organochlorine, organophosphate and carbamate pesticides were carried out in biological samples (blood) and surveys that included socio-demographic data, as well as work history, environmental exposure and habits in the study population. For data analysis, measures of central tendency and dispersion were calculated and pesticide concentrations were compared between groups with occupational and environmental exposure. The Chi square test of association was used to identify possible factors associated with exposure. Results: The participants of this study were 99 people from the municipality of Montelíbano (Córdoba) in Colombia, 63 (63.6%) with occupational exposure and 36 (36.4%) with environmental exposure. The mean age was 52.8 years (S.D. 11.2 years), 83.8% were men), 67.7% mestizos, and 20.2% Afro-descendants. According to exposure, statistically significant differences were found by gender (p = 0.000), area (p = 0.012) and type of social security (p = 0.005). Of 63 people exposed occupationally, 90.5% work in mining activities. The most widely used metal is nickel (98.2%). In the environmental exposure group, none reported working in mining activities, only in various trades and in agriculture. Among the pesticides reported to be used are the chemical groups of Carbamates, Organochlorines and Organophosphates; No statistically significant differences were observed according to exposure. Conclusions: A 41.7% use of organophosphates, 33.3% of organochlorines and 25% of carbamates was found. This study detected the use of Endosulfan which is prohibited in our country. The pesticides of which blood levels were found were: Aldicarb, Propoxur and Carbofuran (carbamates); Malathion, Paraoxon methyl and ethyl and Parathion methyl and ethyl (organophosphates) and Endosulfan alpha, Endosulfan beta; Endosulfan sulfate and Hexachlorobenzene (organochlorines), Endosulfan sulfate being the highest percentage found in blood.