The effects of pesticides on greenhouse workers and their produced products

Öǧüt S., KÜÇÜKÖNER E., Gültekin F.

Toxicological and Environmental Chemistry, vol.94, no.2, pp.403-410, 2012 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 94 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2012
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/02772248.2011.642662
  • Journal Name: Toxicological and Environmental Chemistry
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.403-410
  • Keywords: greenhouse worker, pesticide, blood, tomato, clove, ANTIOXIDANT ENZYMES, LIPID-PEROXIDATION, EXPOSURE, ERYTHROCYTES, REDUCTION, DAMAGE
  • Lokman Hekim University Affiliated: No

Abstract

Pesticides are chemicals used in agriculture but are known to produce adverse effects on humans. In this study, blood activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and levels of malondialdhyde (MDA) were determined in 44 greenhouse workers (24 tomato workers, 20 clove workers) and in tomato (24 samples) and clove (20 samples) products. At the end of this study, blood MDA levels and activities of ALT, AST, and LDH levels in greenhouse workers were significantly increased while SOD and CAT activity levels fell significantly. Pesticide residues were not found in agricultural worker blood. Malathion residues (average 0.8 ppm) were detected in tomatoes (8 samples) in these greenhouses. Data suggest that the health of the greenhouse workers may be adversely affected by pesticides. © 2012 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.