Chronic pesticides exposure and thyroid functions among farmers in alMnaif district-Ismailia governorate, Egypt

Abstract EN

Background: There is growing evidence that environmental exposure, specifically to pesticides, a potential risk factor for endocrine system malfunction.

Aim: The study aims at contributing to improve the wellbeing and productivity of farmers through a better understanding of chronic pesticides exposure and its effect on thyroid functions.

Patients and Methods: An analytical crosssectional study was conducted on 43 farmers with active involvement in the preparation, storage and spraying of the pesticides and 43 participants not occupationally exposed to pesticides.

All participants were interviewed using a structured questionnaire including sociodemographic characteristics, pesticides exposure characteristics, and safety measures.

The blood levels of plasma cholinesterase enzyme, and thyroid hormones (TSH, T4) were measured for all participants.

Results: The mean duration of exposure was 20.60±11.06 years.

The pesticide-exposed farmers had a statistically significant lower level of plasma cholinesterase enzyme (3969.93±1841.84 U/L) compared to the control group (4879.29±1950.08 U/L) (p<0.05).

Moreover, thyroid-stimulating hormone level (TSH) was significantly higher in exposed farmers (median=1.39µIU/ml) compared to controls (median=0.91µIU/ml) (p=0.032).

While the exposed group had a lower level of thyroxine hormone (T4) (6.91±1.91 µg/dl) compared to the control group (7.79±2.10µg/dl), with a statistically significant difference between the two groups (p=0.045).

Conclusion: Exposure to organophosphates and carbamates affects thyroid function in the form of a decrease in the circulating level of thyroxine hormone, increase in the TSH level.