Study of biochemical parameters in farmers exposed to pesticides used in cotton growing around the Bala hippopotamus pond

Bazoma Bayili Bazoma Bayili,Bazoma Bayili Bazoma Bayili,Ollo Da Ollo Da,Richard Ouedraogo Richard Ouedraogo,Jean Bosco Ouedraogo Jean Bosco Ouedraogo,Georges Anicet Ouedraogo Georges Anicet Ouedraogo,Jean Fidèle Bationo Jean Fidèle Bationo,Sylvain Ilboudo Sylvain Ilboudo,Véronique Panne Coulibaly Véronique Panne Coulibaly

doi:10.30574/gscbps.2020.13.1.0323

Abstract

Repeated exposure to pesticides can cause a variety of human health problems, particularly among farmers. This work consisted in studying biochemical parameters and their evolution in cotton farmers exposed to pesticides. A longitudinal study was conducted during and after the 2018/2019 cotton season on a cohort of cotton farmers around the Bala hippopotamus pond in the department of Satiri. Biochemical parameters were measured during and after the crop year on the Architect ci 4100. The majority of the farmers had high uric acid (UA) and low blood sugar (Gluc) concentrations. A few had concentrations of Cholinesterase (ChE) (6.19%); Direct Bilirubin (BilD) (23.01%); Gamma Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) (8.85%); Alkaline Phosphatase (ALkP) (4.42%); Cholesterol (Chol) (4.42%); triglycerides (Trig) (4.42%); aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (4.42%) higher than normal and lower than normal albumin (Alb) (13.27%) and total protein (TP) (13.27%) concentrations. Analysis of the evolution of biochemical parameters showed that none of the producers had higher than normal ChE and TP concentrations. After the campaign, the number of producers with lower than normal values increased for AST, AlkP, Alb and Urea while those with higher than normal values increased for GGT, UA, Gluc, Chol, Trig and BilD. Also, a significant decrease in AST, ALT and creatinine (CreaC) concentrations and a significant increase in GGT and BilD concentrations were observed. The existence of some disturbances of biochemical parameters in farmers should encourage to test the hypothesis of a link between pesticide exposure and the appearance of biochemical disorders in clinical trials.

Highlights

Chemical pesticides are widely used in cotton cultivation to control pests
This work consisted in studying biochemical parameters and their evolution in cotton farmers exposed to pesticides
Cases of intoxication linked to work accidents, the use of unauthorized pesticides and the conditions of application, poor management of pesticide remains and packaging, illiteracy of farmers and pesticide dealers, environmental contamination; etc., have been reported to draw the attention of stakeholders to the human health problems that could result from the professional use of pesticides

Summary

Introduction

Chemical pesticides are widely used in cotton cultivation to control pests. Because of their nature, their physico-chemical, biochemical and toxicological properties, these molecules pose major risks to human health [1] and the environment [2]. In addition to accidental or voluntary acute poisoning, repeated exposure to pesticides can cause various human health disorders: neurological disorders [3, 4], endocrine disruption, leukemia, reproductive disorders [5, 6]. In Burkina Faso, most of the studies on health risks related to pesticide use have been conducted on the basis of crosssectional surveys in agricultural areas [7]. Other studies have assessed the risk of operator exposure through modeling [8, 9]

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