Respiratory, Hepatic, Renal and Hematological Disorders Among Adolescent Females Environmentally Exposed To Pesticides, Menoufia Governorate, Egypt
Authors: Abdel-Rasoul Gaafar Mohamed , Salem Eman Abdel-Azeem , Hendy Olfat Mohamed , Rohlman Diane S , Abdel-Latif Asmaa Abdel-Rehim , Elbadry Aziza Saad 
Published: November 2021

Adolescent females are often environmentally exposed to pesticides by living near agricultural fields, by using pesticides at home, or by having contact with contaminated clothes and pesticide application work tools. This study assessed respiratory, hepatic, renal and hematological health disorders that might arise due to environmental exposure to pesticides among adolescent females. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 100 adolescent females environmentally exposed to pesticides who had one or more of their family members working as seasonal pesticides' applicators and 50 non- exposed (control) adolescent females from Menoufia governorate, Egypt. The studied period of pesticide application season of cotton crop was from May 1st to the end of September 2017. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire about pesticide exposure and respiratory, hepatic, renal and hematological disorders. In addition, serum acetyl cholinesterase (AChE), spirometry, complete blood count, liver and kidney functions' tests were measured pre and post pesticide application season. The control adolescent females had a higher AChE activity, a lower prevalence of respiratory symptoms and higher means of spirometric measurements than the exposed group. During the pre and postseason, the exposed group presented a prevalence of (6%, 24%) for cough, (4%, 11%) for rhinitis, and (6%, 26%) for dyspnea during the pre and postseason; respectively. In addition, there was a decrease in means of spirometric measurements (FEV1%, FEV1/FVC%, FEF 25-75% and PEF%) in post season compared to preseason among the exposed group. Also, there were significant associations between (AChE) activity and both the prevalence of respiratory manifestations and spirometric measurements among the exposed females. On the other hand, there were significantly increased red blood corpuscles (RBCs) and lymphocytes counts, and a significantly lower mean hemoglobin level among the exposed group (post season) than each of their pre-season values and the control group (P<0.05). AChE level, total protein, albumin and albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio levels were significantly lower, while SGPT, SGOT, and globulin, blood urea and serum creatinine mean levels were significantly higher among the exposed group (post season) than either of their pre-season or the control group (P<0.05). There was a positive correlation between AChE level and all studied CBC parameters for the exposed group reaching a significant level with basophils (P<0.05). Also, there was a negative correlation between AChE level and each of SGPT, SGOT, ALP, globulin, blood urea and serum creatinine for the exposed group reaching a significant level with each of SGPT and SGOT (P<0.05). At the same time, a non-significant positive correlation was found between AChE level and each of total protein, albumin and A/G ratio (P>0.05). So, environmental exposure to organophosphorus pesticides has a detrimental impact on respiratory, hepatic, renal and hematological systems of adolescent females living in rural districts at Menoufia governorate. Educational and training intervention programs on pesticide handling and safety precautions are recommended for protecting both pesticides' workers and their family members who might be exposed.