Effect of Pesticide Exposure over DNA Damage in Farmers from Los Reyes, Michoacan in Mexico
Rafael Valencia-Quintana,
Mirta Milić,
Stefano Bonassi,
Maria Antonieta Ochoa-Ocaña,
Victoria Campos-Peña,
Maria Guadalupe Tenorio-Arvide,
Guillermo Alejandro Pérez-Flores,
Juana Sánchez-Alarcón
Affiliations
Rafael Valencia-Quintana
Laboratorio “Rafael Villalobos-Pietrini” de Toxicología Genómica y Química Ambiental, Facultad de Agrobiología, Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala, CA Genética y Ambiente UATLX-CA 223, Red Temática de Toxicología de Plaguicidas, Tlaxcala 90120, Mexico
Mirta Milić
Mutagenesis Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska Cesta 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Stefano Bonassi
Department of Human Sciences and Quality of Life Promotion, San Rafaele University, 00166 Rome, Italy
Maria Antonieta Ochoa-Ocaña
Unidad Académica de Estudios Regionales, Coordinación de Humanidades, UNAM, Jiquilpan 59510, Mexico
Victoria Campos-Peña
Experimental Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery Manuel Velasco Suárez, Mexico City 14269, Mexico
Maria Guadalupe Tenorio-Arvide
Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Agrícolas, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla 72570, Mexico
Guillermo Alejandro Pérez-Flores
Laboratorio “Rafael Villalobos-Pietrini” de Toxicología Genómica y Química Ambiental, Facultad de Agrobiología, Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala, CA Genética y Ambiente UATLX-CA 223, Red Temática de Toxicología de Plaguicidas, Tlaxcala 90120, Mexico
Juana Sánchez-Alarcón
Laboratorio “Rafael Villalobos-Pietrini” de Toxicología Genómica y Química Ambiental, Facultad de Agrobiología, Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala, CA Genética y Ambiente UATLX-CA 223, Red Temática de Toxicología de Plaguicidas, Tlaxcala 90120, Mexico
In the municipality of Los Reyes, Michoacán, in Mexico, several economic activities coexist; however, the most relevant is agriculture. It stands out as an agro-industrial center and commercial enclave in the region, suitable for the cultivation of sugar cane; however, currently fruit growing takes first place with blackberry, raspberry and blueberry, followed by avocado, peach, strawberry and other crops. A large quantity and variety of pesticides are applied to crops, consequently the population is at constant risk. This study aimed to evaluate whether pesticides are a factor in genetic damage to agricultural workers from Los Reyes, Michoacán, using alkaline comet assay. Fifty-nine residents participated (41 workers and 18 controls). Results included confounding factors (alcohol consumption, smoking habit, gender, age, BMI, etc.) indicated a non-significant statistical difference between two groups, with higher DNA damage values in workers that was higher than the values expected in a normal healthy unexposed population. It seems that the control measures, safe handling of pesticides and quality standards, required by the producers so that their products can be exported, have resulted in less damage, despite workers’ activity, but higher damage than the reference values still requires regular surveillance of those exposed. The use of protective equipment or measures can reduce the risk of damage, so it is also necessary to promote their service and comply with labor regulations for agricultural workers.
