Browsing by Autor "Guido Condarco"

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Is Cumulated Pyrethroid Exposure Associated With Prediabetes? A Cross-sectional Study
(Taylor & Francis, 2014) Martin Rune Hassan Hansen; Erik Jørs; Flemming Lander; Guido Condarco; Vivi Schlünssen
Pyrethroids are a class of insecticides used widely for vector control programs. Acute pyrethroid poisoning is rare, but well documented, whereas effects of cumulative exposure are insufficiently described, including possible negative effect on glucose regulation. The objective of this study was to investigate an association between exposure to pyrethroids and abnormal glucose regulation (prediabetes or diabetes). A cross-sectional study was performed among 116 pesticide sprayers from public vector control programs in Bolivia and 92 nonexposed controls. Pesticide exposure (duration, intensity, cumulative exposure) was assessed from questionnaire data. Participants were asked about symptoms of diabetes. Blood samples were analyzed for glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), a measure of glucose regulation. No association was found between pyrethroid exposure and diabetes symptoms. The prevalence of abnormal glucose regulation (defined as HbA1c ≥ 5.6%) was 61.1% among sprayers and 7.9% among nonexposed controls, corresponding to an adjusted odds ratio (OR [95% confidence interval]) for all sprayers of 11.8 [4.2-33.2] and 18.5 [5.5-62.5] for pyrethroid-exposed only. Among sprayers who had only used pyrethroids, a significant positive trend was observed between cumulative pesticide exposure (total number of hours sprayed) and adjusted OR of abnormal glucose regulation, with OR 14.7 [0.9-235] in the third exposure quintile. The study found a severely increased prevalence of prediabetes among Bolivian pesticide sprayers compared with a control group, but the relevance of the control group is critical. Within the spraying group, an association between cumulative exposure to pyrethroids and abnormal glucose regulation was seen. Further studies are needed to confirm this association.
Is Gender a Risk Factor for Pesticide Intoxications Among Farmers in Bolivia? A Cross-Sectional Study
(Taylor & Francis, 2013) Erik Jørs; Jasmin Hay-Younes; Madelaine A. Condarco; Guido Condarco; Rafael Cervantes; Omar Huici; Jesper Bælum
This study compares gender differences regarding knowledge, practice, and symptoms of intoxication when handling pesticides in farming. Data were gathered in La Paz County, Bolivia, in 2008 and 2009. Poor knowledge on safe handling, hazardous working practices, and use of very toxic pesticides were seen. Being a female and having a low educational level were risk factors for "poor knowledge on pesticides" and a "risky behavior when handling pesticides." Females reported more symptoms of intoxication. The gender differences on knowledge and handling practices might explain why females report more symptoms. To minimize this gap, education and agricultural services should be made more accessible to female farmers in Bolivia.
Management of empty pesticide containers – An experience from Santa Cruz, Bolivia 2014-16: Gestión de envases vacíos de plaguicidas -una experiencia en Santa Cruz Bolivia
(University of Southern Denmark, 2017) Omar Huici; Olaf Chresten Jensen; Erik Jørs; Guido Condarco; Marlene Skovgaard
The mismanagement of empty containers of pesticides, posing a risk to the environment and the health of people, has motivated the promotion of international policies and guidelines to mitigate the problems. Despite these guidelines the attention to this problem is inadequate in Bolivia. The objective was to study the knowledge and practical management of the containers and to implement a responsible management plan of empty pesticide containers. METHODS PLAGBOL implemented the project in 2014—2016 in two municipalities of the Department of Santa Cruz. Integral and participatory processes of information, education, and training were used. A questionnaire study was used to investigate the knowledge and management of the empty pesticide containers. RESULTS The authorities and the population responded to the program by taking a critical and active approach to the problem, improved their responsible practices and 5500 kg of empty containers were collected. The cross-sectional study showed that 93% of the empty containers are disposed in vulnerable places, 62% of the population does not know what triple washing is, 60% felt discomfort, headache and/or dissiness while using pesticides and 31% of the empty containers have pesticide residue inside them. CONCLUSIONS The study shows a complex situation mainly due to lack of knowledge and clear guidelines. We recommend to document the social, economic and productive characteristics of the region before taking any municipal program action. The key element to sustainable changes is an informed and coordinated participation of all actors. KEYWORDS Environmental; pesticide containers ; occupational, health, intoxication
Management of Empty Pesticide Containers—A Study of Practices in Santa Cruz, Bolivia
(SAGE Publishing, 2017) Omar Huici; Marlene Skovgaard; Guido Condarco; Erik Jørs; Olaf Chresten Jensen
The study illustrates a complex situation, mainly caused by lack of knowledge and clear guidelines. We recommend documentation of the social, economic, and productive characteristics of the region before any municipal program action is undertaken. The key element to sustainable change is an informed and coordinated participation of all actors.
Neurological Deficits After Long-term Pyrethroid Exposure
(SAGE Publishing, 2017) Martin Rune Hassan Hansen; Erik Jørs; Flemming Lander; Guido Condarco; Fróði Debes; Noemí Tirado; Vivi Schlünssen
Pyrethroid pesticides have been suggested to be a cause of Parkinson disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. To investigate this, a cross-sectional study was conducted among 120 Bolivian public health vector program spray men, primarily exposed to pyrethroids. Pesticide exposure and central nervous system (CNS) symptoms were determined by a structured interview, whereas neuromotor and neurocognitive performance was assessed using the computerized Behavioral Assessment and Research System and CATSYS system. Individuals exposed to higher levels reported significantly more CNS symptoms (adjusted odds ratio per quintile of cumulative exposure = 2.01 [1.22-3.31]). There was no association seen between pyrethroid exposure and neuromotor performance. Higher spraying intensity was associated with significantly worse neurocognitive performance in structural equation models (adjusted β per quintile = -0.405 [-0.660 to -0.150]), and workers only exposed to pyrethroids performed worse than workers also exposed to other pesticides (adjusted β = -1.344 [-2.224 to -0.464]). Chronic pyrethroid exposure may cause deterioration in neurocognitive performance, and exposure control is recommended.
Pesticide Residues in Commercial Lettuce, Onion, and Potato Samples From Bolivia—A Threat to Public Health?
(SAGE Publishing, 2017) Marlene Skovgaard; Susana Renjel Encinas; Olaf Chresten Jensen; Jens Hinge Andersen; Guido Condarco; Erik Jørs
Bolivia does not have a surveillance program for pesticide residues in food. The few published studies have suggested that pesticide contamination in food may present a public health problem. Data are lacking for all foods except tomatoes and breast milk. In this study 10 potato, 10 onion, and 10 lettuce samples from La Paz were sampled on August 15, 2015 at a local market and screened for 283 pesticides. Residues of cypermethrin, chlorpyrifos, difenoconazol, or/and λ-cyhalothrin were detected in 50% of the lettuce samples, whereas no pesticides were found in potatoes and onions. In 20% of the lettuce samples, the measurements were above the maximum residue limits, and 2 or 3 pesticides were identified simultaneously. Washing almost halved the pesticide levels, but still 20% of the samples showed measurements above the limits. No samples contained concentrations of pesticides which alone or together would lead to exposures that exceeded the acceptable daily intake or the acute reference dose. To protect consumers from pesticide poisonings and chronic effects, the development of measures for prevention, control, and monitoring of food contamination by pesticides in Bolivia is suggested.