P-28 HEPATOTOXICITY OF PESTICIDES USED IN VITICULTURES IN THE SOUTHERN BRAZIL REGION

Introduction and Objectives

Consumption of pesticides in the world has been growing exponentially, driven by green revolution, since the 40′s. In this context, impact of use of these products in human beings becomes a public health problem. Ethylene bisdithiocarbamates (EBDCs), such as Mancozeb, are fungicides used in Serra Gaúcha for vine cultivation. This study aimed to evaluate hepatotoxicity of pesticides from EBDC group in viticulture workers exposed to and not exposed to in southern Brazil.

Materials and Methods

Evaluation of 50 exposed and 48 non-exposed workers through interviews with application of a questionnaire, blood and urine collection. Subsequently, evaluation of hepatotoxicity (biochemical test), genotoxicity (DNA damage), acetylcholinestarase and biological exposure indicator (urinary ethylenethiourea) was carried out. Sample calculation and statistical analysis performed based on the effect size, with alpha-error 0.05% and power 90%.

Results

In non-exposed group, 70% were men, more than 90% were white, and 39.5% had only completed elementary school. We identified 50% as overweight/obese. In this group, 9 participants stated that they had been exposed to pesticides in past (> 5 years ago) with a report of one intoxication episode with symptoms. In the exposed group, 92% were men, 100% white and 44% reported having only completed elementary school. Furthermore, overweight/obesity was identified in 78%. Changes in liver function tests (AST/ALT) were present in 5 samples from exposed group (4 in overweight and/or obese participants). In 100% of participants was present biological exposure indicator, including the non-exposed group. No change was identified in analysis of acetylcholinesterase in exposed group. Evaluation of DNA damage related to genotoxicity was significantly higher in pesticide exposure group.

Conclusions

Preliminary analyzes suggest that exposure to mancozeb is capable of causing damage to the worker's health, and may occur outside the occupational environment, since ethylenethiourea was identified even in urine samples from non-exposed group to the pesticide.