Determination of pesticide residues in plasma of occupationally exposed individuals in Córdoba Province (Argentina)

FILIPPI, IOHANNA; LUCERO, PATRICIA; BONANSEA, ROCÍO; AMÉ, MARÍA VALERIA; CAÑAS, IRENE; BUTINOF, MARIANA; FERNANDEZ, RICARDO; MUÑOZ, SONIA EDITH

Ghent

Congreso; 8th Young Environmental Scientists Meeting; 2019

SETAC

agriculture, the increased yields were achieved primarily through the use of fertilizers and pesticides. Terrestrial applicators of pesticides are who deal with the highest levels of exposure. The present study was designed to evaluate pesticides levels in terrestrial pesticides applicators working in extensive crops of Córdoba province with the hypothesis that occupational exposure to pesticides will correlate with higher values in the concentration of pesticide residues compared to non-exposed populations. An analytical method to detect and quantify pesticide residues in plasma was optimized for 18 pesticides and some of their metabolites. PCB28 was used as internal standard. The set-up was performed with plasma samples from volunteers without known exposure to pesticides. After protein precipitation of 0.5 mL of plasma and liquid extraction with hexane, samples were dried under nitrogen stream and the concentrate was reconstituted in 0.1 mL of isooctane. The extracts were analyzed by gas chromatography (CG-ECD 63Ni). Linearity of the method ranged (µg/L): 0.08-6.8 (organochlorine and organophosphorus), and 1.2-67.5 (pyrethroids). Lower limit of detection was experimentally chosen as the lower level in the calibration curve (μg/L): 0.1 (organochlorine and organophosphorus), and 1.2 (pyrethroids). Selectivity, accuracy and precision were also evaluated.The validated method was applied to quantify pesticides residues in plasma of two different populations: pesticide applicators working in extensive crops, exposed group, and non-pesticides applicators, control group.We found higher frequency of pesticides detection in exposed subjects (HCB, β-HCH, chlorpyriphos methyl and ethyl, heptachlor and heptachlor exo-epoxide, α-endosulfan, pp´DDE, deltamethrin, mirex and endrin) than in control subjects (HCB, β-HCH, chlorpyriphos methyl, α-endosulfan, pp´DDE and deltamethrin). Concentration levels of pesticides in the exposed group at least triplicate the concentration found in the control group, with the exception of permethrin. These differences evidence the greater exposure of the exposed subjects in relation to the control subjects.This case-control study allows us to conclude that the exposed group has an increased exposure to pesticides in the present working conditions. These findings also highlight the need to promote safer work practices and to elaborate preventive proposals.