Abstract
Background The quest to enhance agricultural productivity and crop yields has led to increased use of agrochemicals on a global scale. Long-term use of these agrochemicals may be associated with adverse health implications. Objective To assess haematological indices, renal function, heavy metal bioaccumulation in farmers and sprayers, and their use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Materials and Methods This community-based case-control study was conducted from January 2018 to June 2018 in the Assin South District, Central Region, Ghana. A total of 144 participants were conveniently sampled: 83 agricultural workers (cases) and 61 indigenes with no direct exposure to agrochemicals (controls). Structured questionnaire was used to obtain demographic data as well as agricultural work practices followed by cases. Venous blood samples were drawn from participants and used for estimating full blood count and renal function (serum creatinine (CRE), blood-urea nitrogen (BUN), BUN : CRE ratio, and estimated GFR (eGFR)). Serum lead, arsenic, and cadmium levels were estimated using the Varian AA 240FS atomic spectrometer in an acetylene-air flame. Results The median RBC (4.49 vs. 4.92 × 1012/L), haemoglobin (12.50 vs. 13.70 g/dL), and platelet (220.00 vs. 268.00) counts were significantly lower in cases. A significantly higher proportion of cases were classified as anaemic or having microcytic cells compared to controls. Also, serum urea (4.08 vs. 3.41; p=0.0009), creatinine (108.10 vs. 101.10; p=0.0286), and BUN : CRE ratio (19.75 vs. 17.84) were significantly higher in cases. Additionally, 18.1% of cases were classified as having moderately reduced renal function compared to only 6.6% of controls. Moreover, a significantly higher proportion of cases had detectable serum lead (55.6% vs. 16.4%) and arsenic (53.1% vs. 9.8%) levels compared to controls. However, on average, 80% of agricultural workers did not use personal protective equipment (PPE) when applying agrochemicals; 84.3% of used agrochemical containments were discarded near the river/canal. Conclusion Neglect of the use of PPE may be predisposing the agrochemical workers and community to lead and arsenic bioaccumulation with a consequent reduced haematological and renal function.
Highlights
Agrochemicals are used in agricultural practices to safeguard crops from damage by pest and to enhance agricultural productivity
Our study provides evidence of systematic neglect of the routine use of personal protective equipment by agricultural workers among the study participants
As agrochemicals have been shown to be absorbed through the skin and other mucous membranes, the potential for systemic accumulation of residues of these agrochemicals over a prolonged use by the agricultural workers in our study area remains to be quantified in a well-controlled longitudinal study
Summary
Agrochemicals (pesticides and fertilizers) are used in agricultural practices to safeguard crops from damage by pest and to enhance agricultural productivity. Analytical testing of a wide range of fertilizer products by several studies [5,6,7] shows that inorganic fertilizers and International Journal of Nephrology liming materials contain elevated levels of arsenic, cadmium, and lead compared to organic types In spite of these adverse health implications, the increased agricultural yield associated with the use of these agrochemicals has led to their preference over biological, cultural, and mechanical methods for boosting production [8]. As they are biologically active substances, long-term exposure to these agrochemicals may have both acute and chronic healthrelated effects. We sought to evaluate the observance of preventive measures meant to minimize the health hazards of these agrochemicals by farmers and sprayers
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