Residential proximity to greenhouse crops and pesticide exposure (via acetylcholinesterase activity) assessed from childhood through adolescence

Jose R. Suarez-Lopez; Noor Nazeeh; Georgia Kayser; José Suárez-Torres; Harvey Checkoway; Dolores López-Paredes; David R. Jacobs; Franklin de la Cruz

doi:10.1016/j.envres.2020.109728

Residential proximity to greenhouse crops and pesticide exposure (via acetylcholinesterase activity) assessed from childhood through adolescence

Jose R. Suarez-Lopez, Noor Nazeeh, Georgia Kayser, José Suárez-Torres, Harvey Checkoway, Dolores López-Paredes, David R. Jacobs, Franklin de la Cruz

Epidemiology & Community Health

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Off-target drift of pesticides from farms increases the risk of pesticide exposure of people living nearby. Cholinesterase inhibitors (i.e. organophosphates and carbamates) are frequently used in agriculture and inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. Greenhouse agriculture is an important production method, but it is unknown how far pesticide drift from greenhouses can extend and expose people living nearby. Methods: This study included 1156 observations from 3 exams (2008, Apr, 2016 and Jul–Oct 2016) of 623 children aged 4-to-17 years living in agricultural communities in Ecuador. AChE, a physiological marker of cholinesterase inhibitor exposure, was measured in blood. Geographic positioning of greenhouses and homes were obtained using GPS receivers and satellite imagery. Distances between homes and the nearest greenhouse edge, and areas of greenhouse crops within various buffer zones around homes were calculated. Repeated-measures regression adjusted for hemoglobin and other covariates estimated change in AChE relative to distance from greenhouses. Results: The pooled mean (SD) of AChE activity was 3.58 U/mL (0.60). The median (25th-75th %tile) residential distance to crops was 334 m (123, 648) and crop area within 500 m of homes (non-zero values only) was 18,482 m² (7115, 61,841). Residential proximity to greenhouse crops was associated with lower AChE activity among children living within 275 m of crops (AChE difference per 100 m of proximity [95% CI] = −0.10 U/mL [-0.20, −0.006]). Lower AChE activity was associated with greater crop area within 500 m of homes (AChE difference per 1000 m2 [95% CI] = −0.026 U/mL [-0.040, −0.012]) and especially within 150 m (−0.037 U/mL [-0.065, −0.007]). Conclusions: Residential proximity to floricultural greenhouses, especially within 275 m, was associated with lower AChE activity among children, reflecting greater cholinesterase inhibitor exposure from pesticide drift. Analyses of residential proximity and crop areas near homes yielded complementary findings. Mitigation of off-target drift of pesticides from crops onto nearby homes is recommended.

Original language	English (US)
Article number	109728
Journal	Environmental Research
Volume	188
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2020.109728
State	Published - Sep 2020

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Funding for the ESPINA study: NIEHS (R01ES025792, R21ES026084), NIOSH (1R36OH009402).The ESPINA study received funding from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, USA (1R36OH009402) and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, USA (R01ES025792, R21ES026084). We thank ESPINA study staff in particular Julie Denenberg, Danilo Martinez, Janeth Barros, and Cecilia Cardenas, Fundación Cimas del Ecuador and its staff, the Parish Governments of Pedro Moncayo County, community members of Pedro Moncayo and the Education District of Pichincha-Cayambe-Pedro Moncayo counties and Cheyenne Rose for their contributions and support on this project.

Funding Information:
The ESPINA study received funding from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, USA (1R36OH009402) and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, USA ( R01ES025792 , R21ES026084 ). We thank ESPINA study staff in particular Julie Denenberg, Danilo Martinez, Janeth Barros, and Cecilia Cardenas, Fundación Cimas del Ecuador and its staff, the Parish Governments of Pedro Moncayo County, community members of Pedro Moncayo and the Education District of Pichincha-Cayambe-Pedro Moncayo counties and Cheyenne Rose for their contributions and support on this project.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 Elsevier Inc.

Keywords

Area
Carbamate
Ecuador
Organophosphate
Pesticide drift
Residential proximity

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10.1016/j.envres.2020.109728

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@article{cc62971886b941dd816111feb02b1a5a,

title = "Residential proximity to greenhouse crops and pesticide exposure (via acetylcholinesterase activity) assessed from childhood through adolescence",

abstract = "Background: Off-target drift of pesticides from farms increases the risk of pesticide exposure of people living nearby. Cholinesterase inhibitors (i.e. organophosphates and carbamates) are frequently used in agriculture and inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. Greenhouse agriculture is an important production method, but it is unknown how far pesticide drift from greenhouses can extend and expose people living nearby. Methods: This study included 1156 observations from 3 exams (2008, Apr, 2016 and Jul–Oct 2016) of 623 children aged 4-to-17 years living in agricultural communities in Ecuador. AChE, a physiological marker of cholinesterase inhibitor exposure, was measured in blood. Geographic positioning of greenhouses and homes were obtained using GPS receivers and satellite imagery. Distances between homes and the nearest greenhouse edge, and areas of greenhouse crops within various buffer zones around homes were calculated. Repeated-measures regression adjusted for hemoglobin and other covariates estimated change in AChE relative to distance from greenhouses. Results: The pooled mean (SD) of AChE activity was 3.58 U/mL (0.60). The median (25th-75th %tile) residential distance to crops was 334 m (123, 648) and crop area within 500 m of homes (non-zero values only) was 18,482 m2 (7115, 61,841). Residential proximity to greenhouse crops was associated with lower AChE activity among children living within 275 m of crops (AChE difference per 100 m of proximity [95% CI] = −0.10 U/mL [-0.20, −0.006]). Lower AChE activity was associated with greater crop area within 500 m of homes (AChE difference per 1000 m2 [95% CI] = −0.026 U/mL [-0.040, −0.012]) and especially within 150 m (−0.037 U/mL [-0.065, −0.007]). Conclusions: Residential proximity to floricultural greenhouses, especially within 275 m, was associated with lower AChE activity among children, reflecting greater cholinesterase inhibitor exposure from pesticide drift. Analyses of residential proximity and crop areas near homes yielded complementary findings. Mitigation of off-target drift of pesticides from crops onto nearby homes is recommended.",

keywords = "Area, Carbamate, Ecuador, Organophosphate, Pesticide drift, Residential proximity",

author = "Suarez-Lopez, {Jose R.} and Noor Nazeeh and Georgia Kayser and Jos{\'e} Su{\'a}rez-Torres and Harvey Checkoway and Dolores L{\'o}pez-Paredes and Jacobs, {David R.} and Cruz, {Franklin de la}",

note = "Funding Information: Funding for the ESPINA study: NIEHS (R01ES025792, R21ES026084), NIOSH (1R36OH009402).The ESPINA study received funding from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, USA (1R36OH009402) and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, USA (R01ES025792, R21ES026084). We thank ESPINA study staff in particular Julie Denenberg, Danilo Martinez, Janeth Barros, and Cecilia Cardenas, Fundaci{\'o}n Cimas del Ecuador and its staff, the Parish Governments of Pedro Moncayo County, community members of Pedro Moncayo and the Education District of Pichincha-Cayambe-Pedro Moncayo counties and Cheyenne Rose for their contributions and support on this project. Funding Information: The ESPINA study received funding from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, USA (1R36OH009402) and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, USA ( R01ES025792 , R21ES026084 ). We thank ESPINA study staff in particular Julie Denenberg, Danilo Martinez, Janeth Barros, and Cecilia Cardenas, Fundaci{\'o}n Cimas del Ecuador and its staff, the Parish Governments of Pedro Moncayo County, community members of Pedro Moncayo and the Education District of Pichincha-Cayambe-Pedro Moncayo counties and Cheyenne Rose for their contributions and support on this project. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2020 Elsevier Inc.",

year = "2020",

month = sep,

doi = "10.1016/j.envres.2020.109728",

language = "English (US)",

volume = "188",

journal = "Environmental Research",

issn = "0013-9351",

publisher = "Academic Press Inc.",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Residential proximity to greenhouse crops and pesticide exposure (via acetylcholinesterase activity) assessed from childhood through adolescence

AU - Suarez-Lopez, Jose R.

AU - Nazeeh, Noor

AU - Kayser, Georgia

AU - Suárez-Torres, José

AU - Checkoway, Harvey

AU - López-Paredes, Dolores

AU - Jacobs, David R.

AU - Cruz, Franklin de la

N1 - Funding Information: Funding for the ESPINA study: NIEHS (R01ES025792, R21ES026084), NIOSH (1R36OH009402).The ESPINA study received funding from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, USA (1R36OH009402) and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, USA (R01ES025792, R21ES026084). We thank ESPINA study staff in particular Julie Denenberg, Danilo Martinez, Janeth Barros, and Cecilia Cardenas, Fundación Cimas del Ecuador and its staff, the Parish Governments of Pedro Moncayo County, community members of Pedro Moncayo and the Education District of Pichincha-Cayambe-Pedro Moncayo counties and Cheyenne Rose for their contributions and support on this project. Funding Information: The ESPINA study received funding from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, USA (1R36OH009402) and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, USA ( R01ES025792 , R21ES026084 ). We thank ESPINA study staff in particular Julie Denenberg, Danilo Martinez, Janeth Barros, and Cecilia Cardenas, Fundación Cimas del Ecuador and its staff, the Parish Governments of Pedro Moncayo County, community members of Pedro Moncayo and the Education District of Pichincha-Cayambe-Pedro Moncayo counties and Cheyenne Rose for their contributions and support on this project. Publisher Copyright: © 2020 Elsevier Inc.

PY - 2020/9

Y1 - 2020/9

N2 - Background: Off-target drift of pesticides from farms increases the risk of pesticide exposure of people living nearby. Cholinesterase inhibitors (i.e. organophosphates and carbamates) are frequently used in agriculture and inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. Greenhouse agriculture is an important production method, but it is unknown how far pesticide drift from greenhouses can extend and expose people living nearby. Methods: This study included 1156 observations from 3 exams (2008, Apr, 2016 and Jul–Oct 2016) of 623 children aged 4-to-17 years living in agricultural communities in Ecuador. AChE, a physiological marker of cholinesterase inhibitor exposure, was measured in blood. Geographic positioning of greenhouses and homes were obtained using GPS receivers and satellite imagery. Distances between homes and the nearest greenhouse edge, and areas of greenhouse crops within various buffer zones around homes were calculated. Repeated-measures regression adjusted for hemoglobin and other covariates estimated change in AChE relative to distance from greenhouses. Results: The pooled mean (SD) of AChE activity was 3.58 U/mL (0.60). The median (25th-75th %tile) residential distance to crops was 334 m (123, 648) and crop area within 500 m of homes (non-zero values only) was 18,482 m2 (7115, 61,841). Residential proximity to greenhouse crops was associated with lower AChE activity among children living within 275 m of crops (AChE difference per 100 m of proximity [95% CI] = −0.10 U/mL [-0.20, −0.006]). Lower AChE activity was associated with greater crop area within 500 m of homes (AChE difference per 1000 m2 [95% CI] = −0.026 U/mL [-0.040, −0.012]) and especially within 150 m (−0.037 U/mL [-0.065, −0.007]). Conclusions: Residential proximity to floricultural greenhouses, especially within 275 m, was associated with lower AChE activity among children, reflecting greater cholinesterase inhibitor exposure from pesticide drift. Analyses of residential proximity and crop areas near homes yielded complementary findings. Mitigation of off-target drift of pesticides from crops onto nearby homes is recommended.

AB - Background: Off-target drift of pesticides from farms increases the risk of pesticide exposure of people living nearby. Cholinesterase inhibitors (i.e. organophosphates and carbamates) are frequently used in agriculture and inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. Greenhouse agriculture is an important production method, but it is unknown how far pesticide drift from greenhouses can extend and expose people living nearby. Methods: This study included 1156 observations from 3 exams (2008, Apr, 2016 and Jul–Oct 2016) of 623 children aged 4-to-17 years living in agricultural communities in Ecuador. AChE, a physiological marker of cholinesterase inhibitor exposure, was measured in blood. Geographic positioning of greenhouses and homes were obtained using GPS receivers and satellite imagery. Distances between homes and the nearest greenhouse edge, and areas of greenhouse crops within various buffer zones around homes were calculated. Repeated-measures regression adjusted for hemoglobin and other covariates estimated change in AChE relative to distance from greenhouses. Results: The pooled mean (SD) of AChE activity was 3.58 U/mL (0.60). The median (25th-75th %tile) residential distance to crops was 334 m (123, 648) and crop area within 500 m of homes (non-zero values only) was 18,482 m2 (7115, 61,841). Residential proximity to greenhouse crops was associated with lower AChE activity among children living within 275 m of crops (AChE difference per 100 m of proximity [95% CI] = −0.10 U/mL [-0.20, −0.006]). Lower AChE activity was associated with greater crop area within 500 m of homes (AChE difference per 1000 m2 [95% CI] = −0.026 U/mL [-0.040, −0.012]) and especially within 150 m (−0.037 U/mL [-0.065, −0.007]). Conclusions: Residential proximity to floricultural greenhouses, especially within 275 m, was associated with lower AChE activity among children, reflecting greater cholinesterase inhibitor exposure from pesticide drift. Analyses of residential proximity and crop areas near homes yielded complementary findings. Mitigation of off-target drift of pesticides from crops onto nearby homes is recommended.

KW - Area

KW - Carbamate

KW - Ecuador

KW - Organophosphate

KW - Pesticide drift

KW - Residential proximity

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Residential proximity to greenhouse crops and pesticide exposure (via acetylcholinesterase activity) assessed from childhood through adolescence

Abstract

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