Abstract Background Pesticides, mainly organophosphates (OP), have been related to increased risk of pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and pemphigus foliaceus (PF), nevertheless, their measurement has not been determined in pemphigus patients. Objective To evaluate pesticide exposure and pesticide measurement, comparing PV, PF and control groups in Southeastern Brazil. Methods Information about urban or rural residency and exposure to pesticides at the onset of pemphigus was assessed by questionnaire interview; hair samples from the scalp of PV, PF, and controls were tested for OP and organochlorines (OC) by gas-phase chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Results The minority of PV (2 [7.1%] of 28) and PF (7 [18%] of 39), but none of the 48 controls, informed living in rural areas at the onset of pemphigus (p = 0.2853). PV (33.3%), PF (38.5%), and controls (20%) informed exposure to pesticides (p = 0.186). Twenty-one (14.8%) of 142 individuals tested positive for OP and/or OC: PV (2 [6.3%] of 32) and PF (11 [25.6%] of 43) had similar pesticides contamination as controls (8 [11.9%] of 67) (p = 0.4928; p = 0.0753, respectively), but PF presented higher contamination than PV (p = 0.034). PV did not present any positivity for OP. Three (7%) PF tested positive for both OP and OC. Some PF tested positive for three or four OP, mainly diazinon and dichlorvos. Study limitation Lack of data for some controls. Conclusion Although the frequency of PV and PF patients exposed to pesticides was similar, pesticides were more frequently detected in hair samples from PF compared to PV. The cause-effect relationship still needs to be determined.

ABSTRACT Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is an important legume crop worldwide. Endophytic fungi have proven effective as biocontrol agents in several crops, but they can be affected by pesticides. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of synthetic pesticides on the conidial germination and endophytic activity of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae in P. vulgaris. Three fungicides (Mancozeb, Tebuconazole and Zinc Ethylene-bis), three insecticides (Abamectin, Diazinon and Spirotetramat) and one herbicide (Glufosinate) were evaluated. Each pesticide was applied at the application rate recommended by the manufacturer and also using one-half of the application rate on the commercial strains B. bassiana Bb-18 and M. anisopliae Ma-30. Tebuconazole, Mancozeb and Glufosinate totally inhibited conidial germination. Spirotetramat and Diazinon resulted in a less pronounced negative effect on B. bassiana and M. anisopliae germination. However, Spirotetramat has the lowest impact on the entomopathogenic fungi, allowing for 86 and 74% germination of B. bassiana and M. anisopliae, respectively. Tebuconazole and Mancozeb affected the endophytic activity of the entomopathogenic fungi studied. At one-half of the recommended concentration, Spirotetramat and Zinc Ethylene-bis allowed for the total colonization of B. bassiana in roots of common bean, whereas M. anisopliae reached a colonization of 75%. These results indicate that Spirotetramat, Zinc Ethylene-bis and Diazinon can be used in combination with B. bassiana Ba-18 and M. anisopliae Ma-30. However, Tebuconazole, Mancozeb and Glufosinate should not be combined with these entomopathogenic fungi in Integrated Pest Management programs.

RESUMO Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Canestrini) é um dos parasitas que mais impactam a pecuária de países tropicais e subtropicais, incluindo o Brasil, com perdas em torno de US$ 3,24 bilhões por ano. Ocorrências de populações resistentes a diferentes classes de acaricidas e suas associações têm sido amplamente diagnosticadas em todo o Brasil. Para isso, bioensaios utilizando o teste de pacote larval (LPT) impregnado com cipermetrina e diazinon em diferentes concentrações foram realizados para caracterizar a resistência fenotípica (nível de resistência, RL), a resistência molecular (mutação no domínio III - S6 T2134A) e o metabolismo enzimático do diazinon e da cipermetrina em algumas populações de R. (Boophilus) microplus coletadas em diferentes regiões do estado de São Paulo. Dentre as 40 propriedades analisadas, 18 delas apresentaram fatores de resistência à cipermetrina, sendo RL I (53%) e RL II (47%). A mutação do domínio III T2134A foi encontrada pela primeira vez no Brasil, em sete fazendas. Larvas heterozigotas foram constatadas em seis delas, e larvas homozigotas resistentes em quatro. Nenhuma diferença (P>0,05) na atividade enzimática de α-esterase e β-esterase foi observada em testes com larvas vivas e mortas em uma concentração de cipermetrina de 409,6μg/cm2. Noventa por cento das propriedades apresentaram resistência ao agente ativo diazinon: RL I em 6%, RL II em 30% e RL III em 64%. Houve diferenças significativas (P<0,05) na atividade enzimática na concentração mais elevada (3,2μg/cm2) entre os grupos de larvas vivas e mortas.

ABSTRACT Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus is one of the parasites that has an impact on livestock farming in Brazil. Bioassays using the larval packet test (LPT) impregnated with cypermethrin and diazinon at different concentrations were performed to characterize phenotypic resistance (resistance level, RL), molecular resistance (mutation in domain III - S6 T2134A) and enzymatic metabolism of diazinon and cypermethrin in some populations of R. microplus that were collected in different regions of the state of São Paulo. Among the 40 farms analyzed, 18 of them presented resistance factors for cypermethrin, with RL I (53%) and RL II (47%). Mutation of domain III T2134A was found for the first time in Brazil, on seven farms. Heterozygous larvae were found on six of them and resistant homozygous larvae on four. No differences (p>0.05) in enzymatic activity of α-esterase and β-esterase were found in tests with live and dead larvae at a cypermethrin concentration of 409.6μg/cm2. Ninety percent of the farms showed resistance to the active agent diazinon: RL I in 6%, RL II in 30% and RL III in 64%. There were significant differences (p<0.05) in enzymatic activity at the highest concentration (3.2μg/cm2).

RESUMEN Los efectos de diferentes agroquímicos y de la temperatura han sido temas recurrentes en la investigación en anuros; sin embargo, estas variables se han abordado de manera independiente sin considerar que pueden ejercer una presión simultánea sobre las especies. Por esta razón, este trabajo tiene como objetivo determinar la toxicidad (a través de la Concentración Letal Media -CL50) de los insecticidas organofosforados clorpirifos, diazinón y monocrotofos, bajo tres regímenes térmicos (23, 28 y 33 ± 1 °C) sobre embriones de tres especies de anuros. De acuerdo a los valores de CL50, el insecticida clorpirifos fue el más tóxico, seguido del diazinón y del monocrotofos. Por su parte, de manera general se encontró un incremento de la toxicidad de los insecticidas organofosforados a la temperatura más alta de experimentación (33 °C). Además, el efecto de la temperatura se hizo más notorio para los organismos expuestos al clorpirifos, el insecticida más letal. Estos resultados sugieren un efecto negativo para la fauna acuática de anuros debido al actual uso desmesurado de este tipo de agroquímicos y a su interacción con la temperatura ambiental.

ABSTRACT In anurans, the effects of different agrochemicals and temperature have been recurrent topics in research; however, these variables are addressed independently without considering that they can exert a simultaneous pressure on the species. For this reason, this work aims to determine the toxicity (through the Medium Lethal Concentration -LC50) of the organophosphate insecticides: chlorpyrifos, diazinon and monocrotophos, under three thermal regimes (23, 28 and 33 ± 1 °C) on embryos ofthree species of anurans. According to the LC50 values, the chlorpyrifos insecticide was the most toxic, followed by diazinon and monocrotophos. On the other hand, an increase in the toxicity of the organophosphate insecticides studied was generally found at the highest experimental temperature (33 °C). In addition, the effect of temperature became more noticeable for the organisms exposed to chlorpyrifos, the most lethal insecticide. These results suggest a negative effect for the aquatic fauna of anurans due to the current excessive use of this type of agrochemicals and their interaction with environmental temperature.

ABSTRACT Intensive application of pesticides in the agricultural sector and for domestic purposes has resulted in increased usage over the years. Pesticides are used to control pest, diseases and weeds in agricultural and urban areas, but their persistence in the environment has resulted in human poisoning, health risk problem and environmental pollution due to their ability to permeate the soil surface, groundwater systems and water surface bodies. Sorption of two organophosphorus pesticides: Diazinon and Clorpyriphos was studied in a soil (S) and in soil modified with clay addition. Soil Alhue, VI region, Chile, was spiked with 1% of either Montmorillonite (M) or Kaolinite (K) (S1). In addition, organic matter (OM), in the soil was eliminated and this soil (S2), was spiked again, with 1% of both clays. Batch sorption and kinetics experiments were conducted to obtain the retained amounts onto the soil samples. Pesticides were quantified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results showed that for both pesticides the sorption order is: S1-M > S1-K > S1. For soil without OM (S2) the order is the same, although the adsorption was lower. The adsorption isotherms were expressed by the Langmuir and Freundlich models. The negative Gibb's free energy change (ΔG°) values obtained suggest that the adsorption of both pesticides, is an exothermic process. Clay addition to the soil, increased the adsorption processes, generating an increase in the amount of pesticide retained in the soil and partially avoiding possible contamination of the aquifers. The difference found in relation to the behavior of both clays on the soil, can be explained considering its structure and its octanol-water partition coefficient (kow).

El género y especie Rhizobium phaseoli es usado como inoculante en la producción de Phaseolus vulgaris (fríjol), porque en los nódulos de sus raíces, establece una simbiosis para fijar el nitrógeno molecular (FBN) y suplir la demanda de nitrógeno (N) para un crecimiento sano. En el cultivo de P. vulgaris se aplican plaguicidas en el control de insectos plaga de raíz, que evitan el efecto benéfico de R. phaseoli., por lo que los objetivos de este trabajo fueron aislar y seleccionar R. phaseoli tolerante a diazinón. Para ello, R. phaseoli se creció en caldo extracto levadura manitol con diazinón y selecciono R. phaseoli tolerante al insecticida e inoculó en P. vulgaris para determinar la infectividad con base en el número de nódulos, mientras que la efectividad para la FBN en la raíz, de acuerdo al incremento en el peso fresco y seco, en la altura de la planta, y en la capacidad para degradar el diazinón. Se concluye que el R. phaseoli tolerante a diazinón fue infectivo y efectivo para el sano crecimiento de P. vulgaris.

The genus and species of Rhizobium phaseoli are useful as an inoculant for the production of Phaseolus vulgaris (beans) in the root nodules symbiotic stage fixes molecular nitrogen (FN) for supplying nitrogen (N) for healthy growth. In P. vulgaris cropping, pesticides are used to control root insects, which could reduce the beneficial effect of R. phaseoli. The purpose of this work was to isolate and select R. phaseoli diazinon´s tolerance. In that sense, R. phaseoli were cultivated in a medium mixed with diazinon in order to select R. phaseoli tolerant to the pesticide. This mutant of R. phaseoli tolerant to diazinon was inoculated in P. vulgaris the effect was evaluated 45 days later. The response of P. vulgaris was measured by the number of effective nodules at the roots, fresh and dry weight, and the height of the plant. Results showed that R. phaseoli tolerant to diazinon kept its beneficial activity for the healthy growth of P. vulgaris. It was concluded that R. phaseoli tolerant to diazinon were infective and effective for the health growth of P. vulgaris.

RESUMO: Objetivo: Atualizar achados de estudos observacionais analíticos sobre a associação entre exposição ocupacional a organofosforados e neoplasias hematológicas. Métodos: Revisão sistemática de literatura, incluindo estudos de coorte e caso controle, sem limitação de tempo de publicação, nos idiomas português e inglês. O rastreamento de artigos foi feito no período de junho de 2017 a julho de 2019 nas bases de dados PubMed, MEDLINE, LILACS, Web of Science e Scopus. A avaliação qualitativa de risco de viés foi feita com a Escala Newcastle-Otawa e com o Checklist Downs e Black. Os resultados foram apresentados segundo as recomendações da Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Resultados: Foram elegíveis 17 estudos avaliados como de boa/alta qualidade metodológica. A exposição a diazinon (um coorte), fonofós (um coorte), diclorvós, crotoxifós e fanfur (um caso controle) associou-se à leucemia, enquanto a exposição a organofosforados associou-se aos linfomas (seis caso controle). O risco de linfoma não-Hodgkin foi maior para os indivíduos expostos a diazinon (um caso controle) e malation (três caso controle), em relação aos não expostos. O mieloma múltiplo ocorreu mais comumente em expostos a organofosforados do que entre os não expostos (um caso controle). Conclusão: A exposição ocupacional a organofosforados aumenta o risco de neoplasias hematológicas, sobretudo entre os indivíduos com maior período de exposição. Medidas de monitoramento de trabalhadores e de controle da exposição são recomendadas.

ABSTRACT: Objective: To update findings of observational analytical studies on the association between occupational exposure to organophosphates and hematologic malignancies. Methodology: Systematic literature review, including cohort and case-control studies, without limitation of publication time, in Portuguese and English. The articles were traced from June 2017 to July 2019 in PubMed, MEDLINE, LILACS, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. The qualitative bias risk assessment was performed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and the Downs and Black Checklist. Results were presented according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Results: Seventeen studies evaluated as good/high methodological quality were eligible. Exposure to diazinon (1 cohort), phonophos (1 cohort), dichlorvos, crotoxiphos and famphur (1 case control) was associated with leukemia, while exposure to organophosphate was associated to lymphomas (6 case control); the risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma was higher in those exposed to diazinon (1 control case) and malathion (3 control case) than non-exposed ones. Multiple myeloma occurred more commonly in organophosphate exposed than in non-exposed individuals (1 case-control). Conclusion: Occupational exposure to organophosphates increases the risk of hematologic malignancies, especially among individuals with longer exposure periods. Worker monitoring and exposure control measures are recommended.

RESUMO: Objetivo: Atualizar achados de estudos observacionais analíticos sobre a associação entre exposição ocupacional a organofosforados e neoplasias hematológicas. Métodos: Revisão sistemática de literatura, incluindo estudos de coorte e caso controle, sem limitação de tempo de publicação, nos idiomas português e inglês. O rastreamento de artigos foi feito no período de junho de 2017 a julho de 2019 nas bases de dados PubMed, MEDLINE, LILACS, Web of Science e Scopus. A avaliação qualitativa de risco de viés foi feita com a Escala Newcastle-Otawa e com o Checklist Downs e Black. Os resultados foram apresentados segundo as recomendações da Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Resultados: Foram elegíveis 17 estudos avaliados como de boa/alta qualidade metodológica. A exposição a diazinon (um coorte), fonofós (um coorte), diclorvós, crotoxifós e fanfur (um caso controle) associou-se à leucemia, enquanto a exposição a organofosforados associou-se aos linfomas (seis caso controle). O risco de linfoma não-Hodgkin foi maior para os indivíduos expostos a diazinon (um caso controle) e malation (três caso controle), em relação aos não expostos. O mieloma múltiplo ocorreu mais comumente em expostos a organofosforados do que entre os não expostos (um caso controle). Conclusão: A exposição ocupacional a organofosforados aumenta o risco de neoplasias hematológicas, sobretudo entre os indivíduos com maior período de exposição. Medidas de monitoramento de trabalhadores e de controle da exposição são recomendadas.

ABSTRACT: Objective: To update findings of observational analytical studies on the association between occupational exposure to organophosphates and hematologic malignancies. Methodology: Systematic literature review, including cohort and case-control studies, without limitation of publication time, in Portuguese and English. The articles were traced from June 2017 to July 2019 in PubMed, MEDLINE, LILACS, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. The qualitative bias risk assessment was performed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and the Downs and Black Checklist. Results were presented according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Results: Seventeen studies evaluated as good/high methodological quality were eligible. Exposure to diazinon (1 cohort), phonophos (1 cohort), dichlorvos, crotoxiphos and famphur (1 case control) was associated with leukemia, while exposure to organophosphate was associated to lymphomas (6 case control); the risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma was higher in those exposed to diazinon (1 control case) and malathion (3 control case) than non-exposed ones. Multiple myeloma occurred more commonly in organophosphate exposed than in non-exposed individuals (1 case-control). Conclusion: Occupational exposure to organophosphates increases the risk of hematologic malignancies, especially among individuals with longer exposure periods. Worker monitoring and exposure control measures are recommended.

Resumo O peixe-gato, Clarias gariepinus, foi exposto a diferentes concentrações agudas (5-10 mg / l) de diazinon e o valor de Lc50 foi registrado tão alto quanto 7,3 mg / l por 96 horas. Os peixes expostos a três níveis sub-letais de diazinon (0,73, 1,095 e 1,46 mg / l) por 30 dias mostraram que o pesticida induz mudanças nos diferentes parâmetros sanguíneos. O número de glóbulos vermelhos, o nível de hemoglobina e os valores do hematócrito foram elevados, enquanto a contagem de leucócitos foi reduzida. Vários índices sanguíneos, como volume corpuscular médio (VCM), hemoglobina corpuscular média (HCM) e concentração de hemoglobina corpuscular média (CHCM) variam insignificantemente nos peixes tratados com diazinon. Nível de glicose e nível de atividade de AST e ALT foi aumentado em Clarias gariepinus expostos a diazinon. O nível de proteína no plasma de peixes tratados com pesticidas foi alterado, mas a mudança foi insignificante. Alterações histológicas no fígado, brânquias e rins de peixes expostos ao diazinon foram aparentes quando comparados ao controle. A necrose e o sangramento de hepatócitos foram mais distintos nos peixes expostos ao agrotóxico. Hipertrofia do glomérulo e sangramento nos rins; e fusão e degeneração de lamelas secundárias e hiperplasia epitelial em brânquias também foram observadas nos peixes expostos.

Abstract The catfish, Clarias gariepinus, was exposed to different acute concentrations (5-10 mg/l) of diazinon and the Lc50 value was recorded as high as 7.3 mg/l for 96 hours. The fishes exposed to three sub-lethal levels of diazinon (0.73, 1.095 and 1.46 mg/l) for 30 days showed that the pesticide induces changes in different blood parameters. Number of red blood cells (RBC), haemoglobin level and haematocrit values were elevated whereas white blood cells (WBC) count was reduced. Various blood indices like mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobine (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobine concentration (MCHC) vary insignificantly in the fish treated with diazinon. Glucose level and activity level of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was increased in Clarias gariepinus exposed to diazinon. Protein level in plasma of fish treated with pesticide was changed but the change was insignificant. Histological changes in the liver, gills and kidney of fishes exposed to diazinon were apparent when compared to control. Hepatocytes necrosis and bleeding were more distinct in the fishes exposed to pesticide. Glomerulus hypertrophy and bleeding in kidneys; and fusion and degeneration of secondary lamellae and epithelial hyperplasia in gills were also observed in the exposed fish.

RESUMEN Las crucíferas son afectadas por problemas fitosanitarios, que derivan en el uso de plaguicidas como medida de manejo. Se realizó una recopilación de información científica y técnica sobre la presencia de residuos de plaguicidas organofosforados en alimentos y sobre los efectos en salud asociados a este, también se consideró la cadena productiva del brócoli y el coliflor en Colombia, además, se realizó una aproximación a la caracterización del riesgo que este peligro representa para los consumidores del país, siguiendo la metodología FAO para la elaboración de perfiles de riesgo en inocuidad de alimentos. Se encontró que en Colombia los plaguicidas organofosforados más empleados son: paratión, metamidofos, diazinón, clorpirifos y malatión, por lo cual podrían estar presentes como residuos en las crucíferas estudiadas. Dentro de la revisión no se encontró información asociada específicamente a la concentración de residuos de plaguicidas organofosforados en brócoli y coliflor para Colombia. El riesgo para la población se determinó utilizando datos de concentración de residuos en brócoli de estudios realizados en México y Ecuador, y la información del uso de plaguicidas, correspondiente a los reportes de Corpoica. Los datos sobre el consumo, se extrajeron de la ENSIN 2005. El riesgo en inocuidad determinado para el peligro en el alimento estudiando fue bajo, aclarando que la estimación realizada considera únicamente la presencia de residuos de diazinón y clorpirifos en las matrices estudiadas. Es necesario aclarar que se trata de una aproximación al perfil de riesgo trabajada con los dos plaguicidas descritos y específicamente en brócoli y coliflor.

ABSTRACT Crucifers are affected by phytosanitary problems, derived during the use of pesticides as a management strategy. Scientific and technical information on the presence of residues of organophosphorus pesticides in foods was compiled, along with the associated health effects. The production chain for broccoli and cauliflower in Colombia was also considered to characterize the risk of this danger to consumers, following the FAO methodology for creation of risk profiles in food safety. It was found that, in Colombia, the most commonly used organophosphorus pesticides are parathion, methamidophos, diazinon, chlorpyrifos and malathion, which could be present as residues in the studied crucifers. Within the review, there was no information specifically associated with the concentration of organophosphorus pesticide residues in broccoli and cauliflower from Colombia. The risk for the population was determined using residue concentration data in broccoli from studies reported in Mexico and Ecuador and information on the use of pesticides from Corpoica reports. The consumption data were extracted from ENSIN 2005. The safety risk determined for the studied food hazard was low, showing that the estimation only considered the presence of diazinon and chlorpyrifos residues in the studied matrices. It is necessary to note that this is an approximate risk profile for the two pesticides described and; specifically, in broccoli and cauliflower.

ABSTRACT Organophosphorous pesticides (OPs) posses a great potential of acute toxicity for exposed animals and men. To evaluate the toxic potential of the organophosphate diazinon on root meristematic cells of Allium cepa L., was created two groups: In group 1 (control group), was not given any chemical. In group 2 (diazinon-treatment group), different doses (10, 40, 80 and 160 ppm) and times periods (24, 48 and 72 h) were administered. After exposure, cell death, effective concentration (EC50), mitotic index, cellular /chromosome aberrations, DNA damage by comet assay and RAPD-PCR were assessed at exposure times. EC50 value of diazinon was detected approximately 80 ppm. Hyperchromasia, later segragation, micronucleus, pulverised nucleus, nuclear cytoplasmic shrinkage and cell death, cytoplasmic vacuolation were detected in meristem cells as chromosome/celular aberrations for 72 h at 80 ppm. DNA damage was identified using tail DNA%, tail lengths and tail moment from these cells. Increasing exposure doses of diazinon caused increasing tail DNA% and tail lengths at 72 h. DNA bands of increasing concentrations treated groups were more distant to compare with the control group according to RAPD-PCR method. Diazinon cause cytotoxic and genotoxic on A. cepa root and could be considered for further toxicological evaluations.

The environment is negatively affected by the increasing accumulation of both natural and man-made waste and by-products. Organophosphorous pesticides -malathion, diazinon and methamidophos- are used worldwide in pest control. The aim of this report is to review the effects of organophosphates on the male reproductive tract of mice, rats and earthworms, and to evaluate their projection into the human population. Assessing failures in the male reproductive system is an excellent in vivo biomarker to determine the level of toxicity of suspected pollutants. In rodents organophosphates cause decreased testicular weight and sperm density, abnormal tubular plugging and increased teratozoospermia. In earthworms they cause a significant decrease in body weight and alter the spermatheca, with an initial significant increase in immature sperm followed by a significant decrease in sperm count with high frequency of metachromasia. Given the environmental impact of these pesticides -and their potential effects on human health-, international and regional organizations are warning about the correct handling and managing of these substances during work-related and domestic exposures and about their relation to water sources and food, placing a greater emphasis on the school children population due to its higher vulnerability, reduced detoxification capacity, and their endocrine and physiological effects.

El medio ambiente se ve afectado negativamente por la creciente acumulación de desechos y subproductos naturales y artificiales. Los plaguicidas organofosforados malatión, diazinón y metamidofos, son usados en todo el mundo en el control de plagas. El objetivo de este trabajo fue revisar los efectos de los organofosforados en el tracto reproductivo masculino de ratones, ratas y lombrices de tierra, y evaluar su proyección en la población humana. La evaluación de fallas en el sistema reproductor masculino es un excelente biomarcador in vivo para determinar el nivel de toxicidad de los contaminantes químicos. En roedores, los organofosforados causan disminución del peso testicular y de la densidad espermática, obstrucción tubular anormal y aumento de la teratozoospermia. En lombrices de tierra causan una disminución significativa en el peso corporal y alteran la espermateca, con un aumento inicial significativo en espermatozoides inmaduros, seguido de una disminución significativa en el recuento de espermatozoides con alta frecuencia de metacromasia. Dado el impacto medioambiental de estos plaguicidas y sus efectos potenciales en la salud humana, las organizaciones internacionales y regionales advierten sobre el manejo y uso correctos de estas sustancias durante exposiciones laborales y domésticas y sobre su relación con la contaminación de las fuentes de agua y alimentos, colocando énfasis en la población de niños en edad escolar, debido a su mayor vulnerabilidad, reducción de la capacidad de desintoxicación y sus efectos a nivel endocrino y fisiológico.

Debido a la utilización intensiva de plaguicidas en la agricultura, la presencia de residuos de estas sustancias en los productos alimenticios, así como el riesgo para la salud humana que ello conlleva, parece inevitable. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue determinar la presencia de residuos de plaguicidas en fresa (Fragraria x ananassa), cultivada en el municipio Rivas Dávila del estado Mérida, Venezuela. Para el análisis se utilizó el método SPE-HPLC-DAD. Se detectaron siete plaguicidas: clorpirifos 8 mg∙kg-1, diazinon 12 mg∙kg-1, etil paration 0,036 mg∙kg-1, metamidofos 2,7 mg∙kg-1, mancozeb 23 mg∙kg-1, metomilo 1,2 mg∙kg-1 y metribuzin 0,10 mg∙kg-1. A excepción de etil paration y metribuzin, todos estuvieron por encima de los límites máximos de residuos (LMR) establecidos por el Codex Alimentarius y la Unión Europea. Metamidofos, clorpirifos y diazinon se encontraron 270, 230 y 120 veces por encima del LMR, con frecuencias de detección de 70 %, 90 % y 70 %, respectivamente; mancozeb estuvo 2,3 veces por encima del LMR, pero fue detectado en todas las muestras. Los resultados indican que el consumo de fresa producida en el municipio Rivas Dávila podría constituir una vía importante de exposición a plaguicidas a través de la dieta, debido a que el consumidor del producto fresco está expuesto a una mezcla de plaguicidas nocivos que pueden actuar de manera aditiva o sinérgica sobre el organismo.

Due to the intensive use of pesticides in agriculture, the presence of residues of these substances in food products, as well as the human health risk that they involve, seem to be inevitable. The objective of the present study was to determine the presence of pesticide residues in strawberry (Fragraria x ananassa), cultured in the Municipality of Rivas Dávila of Mérida State, Venezuela. For the analysis, the SPE-HPLC-DAD method was used. Seven pesticides were detected: chlorpyrifos 8 mg∙kg-1, diazinon 12 mg∙kg-1, ethyl parathion 0.036 mg∙kg-1, methamidophos 2.7 mg∙kg-1, mancozeb 23 mg∙kg-1, methomyl 1.2 mg∙kg-1 and metribuzin 0.10 mg∙kg-1; with the exception of ethyl parathion and metribuzin, all were above the maximum residue limit (MRL) established by the Alimentary Code and European Union. Methamidophos, chlorpyriphos and diazinon were found 270, 230 and 120 times above the MRL, with frequencies of detection of 70 %, 90 % and 70 %, respectively; mancozeb was 2.3 times above the MRL, but it was detected in all the samples. The results indicate that the consumption of strawberry, produced in the Municipality of Rivas Dávila, could constitute an important way of pesticide exposure through diet, because the fresh product consumer is exposed to a mixture of pesticides that are noxious to human health, can act additively or synergistically on the organism.

Dada la naturaleza tóxica de los plaguicidas y a su constante aplicación en cultivos agrícolas destinados al consumo humano, el objetivo del presente trabajo fue determinar la presencia de residuos plaguicidas en la cáscara y la porción interna de la papa (Solanum tuberosum L.), cosechadas en el Municipio Rivas Dávila del estado Mérida, Venezuela. Para el análisis, se utilizó el método SPE-HPLC-DAD. En la cáscara se detectaron ocho plaguicidas: clorpirifos (7,3 mg·kg-1), diazinon (11,8 mg·kg-1), dimetoato (0,56 mg·kg-1), metamidofos (5,0 mg·kg-1), carbofuran (1,4 mg·kg-1), mancozeb (11,4 mg·kg-1), metomilo (0,030 mg·kg-1) y metribuzin (0,10 mg·kg-1), todos ellos por encima del límite máximo de residuos (LMR) establecidos por el Codex Alimentarius y la Comunidad Europea. En la porción interna se detectaron residuos de cinco plaguicidas considerados potentes neurotóxicos y disruptores endocrinos: clorpirifos (13 mg·kg-1), diazinon (5,2 mg·kg-1), metamidofos (4,5 mg·kg-1), carbofuran (1,13 mg·kg-1) y mancozeb (2,51 mg·kg-1), todos por encima del LMR. Llama particularmente la atención las concentraciones extremadamente altas del diazinon y clorpirifos; este último parece concentrarse en el interior del tubérculo. Se recomienda eliminar la cáscara antes de consumir o procesar la papa, particularmente porque en el interior del tubérculo disminuye la frecuencia de detección y casi todos los plaguicidas disminuyen su concentración. Estos resultados demuestran que el uso inadecuado de plaguicidas en cultivos de papa podría afectar negativamente la calidad del tubérculo, poniendo en riesgo la salud de los consumidores finales del producto.

Given the toxic nature of pesticides and their usual application in agricultural crops grown for human consumption, the aim of this study was to determine the presence of pesticide residues in peel and pulp of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), harvested at the Rivas Dávila Municipality of Mérida, Venezuela. For analysis, the SPE-HPLC-DAD method was used. In the peel, eight pesticide residues, considered as potent neurotoxic and endocrine disruptors, were detected: chlorpyrifos (7.3 mg·kg-1), diazinon (11.8 mg·kg-1), dimethoate (0.56 mg·kg-1), methamidophos (5.0 mg·kg-1), carbofuran (1.4 mg·kg-1), mancozeb (11.4 mg·kg-1), methomyl (0.030 mg·kg-1) and metribuzin (0.10 mg·kg-1), all exceeding the MRLs set by Codex Alimentarius and the European Community. In the pulp, just five pesticide residues were detected: chlorpyrifos (13 mg·kg-1), diazinon (5.2 mg·kg-1), methamidophos (4.5 mg·kg-1), carbofuran (1.13 mg·kg-1) and mancozeb (2.51 mg·kg-1), all of them above the MRLs. The extremely high concentrations of diazinon and chlorpyrifos particularly draws attention, the latter seems to concentrate more in the pulp. It is recommended to remove the skin before eating or processing potatoes, particularly because in the pulp, the frequency of detection diminished and almost all of the pesticides decreased in concentration. These results demonstrate that the improper use of pesticides in potato crops could adversely affect tuber quality, making vulnerable the health of the final consumers of the product.

During a six-year period (from January 2009 to December 2014), specimens collected from 344 cases of suspected organophosphorus and carbamate pesticide poisonings in wildlife, including birds, were submitted to the Toxicology Laboratory (ARC-OVI) for analysis. A positive diagnosis was made in 135 (39%) of these cases. The majority of cases were from birds, which included Cape vultures (Gyps coprotheres) and African white-backed vultures (Gyps africanus) and bateleur eagles (Terathopius ecaudatus). In one incident 49 vultures were killed when a farmer intentionally laced carcasses with carbofuran in an attempt to control jackal predation. There were 22 incidents of poisoning in helmeted guineafowl (Numida meleagris). On nine different occasions blue cranes (Anthropoides paradiseus) were poisoned, in one incident 14 birds were reported to have been killed. Over the period of investigation, there were 20 cases of poisoning involving mammalian species, the majority being vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus). The carbamate pesticides were responsible for 57 incidents of poisoning. Aldicarb, carbofuran and methomyl were detected in 26, 18 and 12 cases respectively. The majority of organophosphorus pesticide poisonings were caused by diazinon (n = 19), monocrotophos (n = 13) and methamidophos (n = 10).