Mutagenesis Advance Access originally published online on March 27, 2006
Mutagenesis 2006 21(2):93-103; doi:10.1093/mutage/gel011
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Evidence for genotoxicity of pesticides in pesticide applicators: a review
1DH Toxicology Unit, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, London, W12 0NN, UK and 2Department of Health, Wellington House, 133–155 Waterloo Road, London, SE1 8UG, UK
A systematic review of the literature has been conducted and studies reporting investigations of genotoxicity biomarkers in pesticide workers have been assessed with view to establishing whether there was evidence for any risk to those using pesticides approved in the United Kingdom. Each of the studies was evaluated using a set of criteria drawn up by members of the UK Committee of Mutagenicity based upon the guidelines proposed by the International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS) working group [R. J. Albertini, D. Anderson, G. R. Douglas, L. Hagmar, K. Hemminki, F. Merlo, A. T. Natarajan, H. Norppa, D. E. Shuker, R. Tice, M. D. Waters and A. Aitio (2000) Mutat. Res., 463, 111–172]; 24 out of 70 studies met the criteria for inclusion in the substantive evaluation. Positive findings were compared with occupational practices and evidence of exposure to specific pesticides with view to developing hypotheses for further consideration. Seventeen of the 24 studies reported positive findings, although in the majority of these the magnitude of increase was small. There was some limited evidence that the use of benzimidazoles was more consistently associated with positive findings. However, limitations in the data, particularly evidence of exposure, did not allow definitive conclusions to be drawn. Also, it was noted that the use (or not) of personal protective equipment (PPE) was not well documented and in the few studies in which its use was reported, the findings were more likely to be positive in the absence of PPE usage. An independent epidemiological review concluded that all studies were of limited design, particularly with regards to study size, the assessment of subject selection and potential recruitment bias. Variance in genotoxicity indices in the control population and a lack of understanding of the factors influencing this variability complicate attempts to characterize positive responses. More substantive data are needed in this respect so that the significance of relatively small increases in biomonitoring indices can be accurately assessed. Once these data are available, a study in workers using benzimidazoles would be appropriate.
3 Present address: Health Protection Agency, Chilton, Didcot, Oxon, OX11 0RQ, UK
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. Email: Jon.Battershill{at}dh.gsi.gov.uk
Received on December 20, 2005; revised and accepted on February 13, 2006
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