<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Occupationally exposed workers, farm workers and plant protection agents in the Sahel region of Burkina Faso were interviewed to assess adverse health effects of insecticides. The subjects were also examined for changes in both hematological and biochemical parameters. The prevalence of liver and kidney dysfunction was found to be quite high among insecticide applicators, especially among plant protection agents. The prevalence of biochemical alterations seems to be correlated to the frequency of insecticide use. However, no significant differences were found between the hematological parameters among farm workers and plant protection agents. The hematological parameters of all the insecticide applicators were normal. The great majority of insecticide applicators (85%) reported symptoms related to insecticide exposure. The use of insecticides in the agriculture of Burkina Faso is threatening to human health.</p></abstract>

Occupationally exposed workers, farm workers and plant protection agents in the Sahel region of Burkina Faso were interviewed to assess adverse health effects of insecticides. The subjects were also examined for changes in both hematological and biochemical parameters. The prevalence of liver and kidney dysfunction was found to be quite high among insecticide applicators, especially among plant protection agents. The prevalence of biochemical alterations seems to be correlated to the frequency of insecticide use. However, no significant differences were found between the hematological parameters among farm workers and plant protection agents. The hematological parameters of all the insecticide applicators were normal. The great majority of insecticide applicators (85%) reported symptoms related to insecticide exposure. The use of insecticides in the agriculture of Burkina Faso is threatening to human health.

Biological alterations and self-reported symptoms among insecticides-exposed workers in Burkina Faso

Research Institute of Health Sciences, CNRST, Burkina Faso

Laboratory of Toxicology, Health Sciences Faculty, University of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Laboratory of Pharmacology, Health Sciences Faculty, University of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Interdisciplinary Toxicology

Occupationally exposed workers, farm workers and plant protection agents in the Sahel region of Burkina Faso were interviewed to assess adverse health effects...

Biological alterations and self-reported symptoms among insecticides-exposed workers in Burkina Faso

Published Online: May 11, 2012

Page range: 42 - 46

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10102-012-0008-3

Keywords
occupational exposure, insecticides, hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, symptoms

This content is open access.

Biological alterations and self-reported symptoms among insecticides-exposed workers in Burkina Faso

Published Online: May 11, 2012

Page range: 42 - 46

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10102-012-0008-3

Keywordsoccupational exposure, insecticides, hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, symptoms

This content is open access.

Keywords
occupational exposure, insecticides, hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, symptoms