Abstract
Several pesticides are recognized as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) since they can interfere with the dysregulation of sexual, thyroid and neuro-endocrine hormones. Children are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of EDCs due to their developmental stage, peculiar lifestyle and dietary habits. In this context, the exposure to pesticides represents an important risk factor associated with early development. This study deals with the possible association between exposure to pesticides and idiopathic premature thelarche in girls from areas of intensive agriculture practice in the Centre of Italy. An integrated approach was set up, including: (i) a case-control study on girls with idiopathic premature thelarche; (ii) the evaluation of multiple pesticides exposure in girls; (iii) the evaluation of multiple pesticides in food; (iv) the dietary intake of pesticide residues; (v) the assessment of toxicological effects of widely used pesticides by in vitro model. Data integration will provide an estimate of the predictive risk of potential effects on girls’ health, linked to dietary intake.
Highlights
In agriculture, pesticides, including acaricides, insecticides, herbicides and fungicides, are used to control insects, weeds, fungi and rodents that can damage crops
Several pesticides are recognized as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) since they can interfere with the dysregulation of sexual, thyroid and neuro-endocrine hormones
By a systematic evaluation of epidemiological studies concerning the association between pesticide exposure and health outcome, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) highlighted that human exposure to pesticides is linked to a large number of health implications, including cancer, neurological diseases and mental development, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, diabetes reproductive diseases and endocrine disorders
Summary
Pesticides, including acaricides, insecticides, herbicides and fungicides, are used to control insects, weeds, fungi and rodents that can damage crops. By a systematic evaluation of epidemiological studies concerning the association between pesticide exposure and health outcome, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) highlighted that human exposure to pesticides is linked to a large number of health implications, including cancer, neurological diseases and mental development, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, diabetes reproductive diseases and endocrine disorders. The latter deserve special attention and further studies [2]. The main concern is for children, who are vulnerable to the adverse effects of pesticides with endocrine-disrupting activities, due to their peculiar lifestyle, dietary habits and developmental stage, such as in puberty
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