الفهرس 
Pesticide DefinitionOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Pesticides are toxic substances frequently used to combat insects, rodents and plant pests and other creatures that can pose problems for agriculture and public health. The aim of this study was to evaluate impact of pesticides on farm workers health in Gaza Strip. This study included 96 farm workers exposed to pesticides in the different Governorate of Gaza Strip, as well as 96 non-exposed controls. Farm workers and controls were age and sex matched. All farm workers were interviewed questionnaire, furthermore they were examined by measuring some hormonal functions (testosterone, LH, FSH, TSH, T3 and T4) and some biochemical parameter (ALAT, ASAT, ALP, urea, creatinine, uric acid, total protein, albumin and globulin) according to standard procedures compared to control group.
General characteristics of controls and farm workers in Gaza Strip.
The total number of 34farm workers and 38of controls were found to have secondary school education whereas only 4 farm workers and 3 controls were found to be illiterate. The total number of 91 farm workers and 86 of controls were married and only 4 farm workers and 7 controls were reported to have no children.
Duration of pesticides use by farm workers in Gaza Strip.
A total number of 17 farm workers were found to use pesticides <7 years, whereas 25 were found to use pesticides 7-14 years and 54 were found to use pesticides >14 years.
Protective measures used during application of pesticides among farm workers in Gaza Strip.
Regarding the use of protective measures, it was found that the highest number of farm workers 23 wears oral–nasal masks and the lowest number 3 wear goggles. In addition, the percentage of farm workers who don’t eat, drink and smoke during application of pesticides were 72, 73 and 74 respectively. Moreover, a total number of 35 farm workers were reported to have water baths after spraying.
Knowledge of the respondent farm workers regarding name and health effects of pesticides.
A total number of 95 farm workers knew the name of pesticides they used. It was also found that a total number of 94farm workers knew the health effects of pesticides exposure on humans. When those farm workers were further questioned if the effect increases on mixing pesticides, a total number of 93 did not know that.
Prevalence of self-reported symptoms among controls and farm workers in Gaza Strip.
The most common self-reported toxicity symptoms associated with pesticides known by farm workers were headache/dizziness 36, fatigue 24, cold/chest pain/breathlessness 22, skin rash/irritation 14, and loss of weight was the least common 1, which were compared to controls showed significant differences (P<0.05).
Effect of pesticide on serum sex hormone levels of controls and farm workers in Gaza Strip.
Serum level of testosterone in farm workers was significantly decreased compared with control group (-18.2 %). On the other hand, serum levels of LH and FSH were increased (12.9% and 8.2%) respectively with significant change for LH. The most affected governorate was Khan Yunis.
Effect of pesticides on serum thyroid hormone levels of controls and farm workers in Gaza Strip.
Serum levels of T3 and T4 in farm workers was significantly decreased (-11.9% and -10.5%) respectively compared to control groups. In contrast, serum levels of TSH were significantly increased (15.7%). The most affected governorate was Northern Gaza.
Effect of pesticides on some serum enzymes activity of controls and farm workers in Gaza Strip.
The average levels of serum ALAT, ASAT and ALP in farm workers were significantly higher (29.0%, 22.1% and 10.1%) respectively than those of controls. The most affected governorate was Northern Gaza.
Effect of pesticides on serum urea, creatinine and uric acid concentrations of controls and farm workers in Gaza Strip.
The mean levels of urea and creatinine were significantly increased in the farm workers (25.0% and 16.1%) respectively compared to controls. However, uric acid was decreased in cases (-1.5%) compared to controls. The less affected governorate was Gaza.
Effect of pesticides on serum protein profile of controls and farm workers in Gaza Strip.
The average levels of serum total protein, albumin and globulin of farm workers were significantly higher (11.4%, 10.8% and 8.9%) respectively than those of controls. The most affected governorate was Northern Gaza.
Effect of pesticides on the levels of serum male sex hormones of farm workers of Gaza Strip with regards to age.
There were a significant decrease in testosterone and significant increase in LH and FSH group (31years-45years) of farm workers (-13.2%, 19.6% and 15.4%) respectively compared to controls. However, there was no significant change of testosterone, LH and FSH in groups (less than 30 years and more than 45years) in farm workers compared to controls as regards to age.
Effect of pesticides on the levels of serum thyroid hormones of farm workers of Gaza Strip with regards to age.
There were significant increased values of TSH and significant decrease in T3 and T4 in group (31years-45years) of farm workers (23.5%, -16.5% and -15.3%) respectively compared to controls. However, there were no statistically significant increased values of TSH, and no statistically significant decreased values of T3 and T4 in groups (Less than 30 years and More than 45years) in farm workers compared to controls with regards to age.
Effect of pesticides on the levels of some serum enzymes activity of farm workers of Gaza Strip with regards to age.
There were significant increased values of ALAT and ASAT in groups (less than 30 years and 31years-45years) (19.8% and 25.9%) and (29.7% and 33.9%) respectively in farm workers compared to controls as regards to age. However, there was no significant change in ALP in group (less than 30 years) in farm workers compared to controls and there was no significant change in values of ALAT, ASAT and ALP in group (more than 45years) in farm workers compared to controls with regards to age.
Effect of pesticides on the levels of serum urea, creatinine and uric acid concentration of farm workers of Gaza Strip with regards to age.
There were significant increased values of urea and creatinine in groups (less than 30 years, 31years-45years and more than 45years) in farm workers (28.2% and 28.6%), (22.3% and 12.5%) and (56.8% and 28.6%) respectively compared to controls as regards to age. There was significant decreased values of uric acid in group (less than 30 years and more than 45years) in farm workers(-12.5% and -11.4%) respectively compared to controls as regards to age. However, there were no changes in uric acid in group (31years-45years) in farm workers compared to controls.
Effect of pesticides on the levels of serum protein profile of farm workers of Gaza Strip with regards to age.
There were significant increased values of total protein and globulin in groups (Less than 30 years, 31years-45years and more than 45years) in farm workers (7.6% and 11.5%), (5.9% and 7.7%) and (4.5% and 7.7%) respectively compared to controls with regards to age. However, there were significant increase in albumin in groups (Less than 30 years and 31years-45years) in farm workers (2.4% and 5.0%) respectively compared to controls and there was no significant increased value of albumin in group (More than 45years) in farm workers compared to controls with regards to age.
Effect of pesticides on the levels of serum male sex hormones of farm workers in relation to work duration of pesticides use in Gaza Strip
There was significant decrease in the mean level of testosterone in groups (7-14 years and >14 years) in farm workers (-18.4% and -24%) respectively compared to controls. In contrast, LH and TSH were significantly increased in group (>14 years) in farm workers (16.6% and 46.4%) respectively compared to controls in relation to work duration.
Effect of pesticides on the levels of serum enzymes activity of farm workers in relation to work duration in Gaza Strip. There was significant increase in the mean activities of ALAT and ASAT in groups (7-14 years and >14 years) of farm workers for ALAT (34.3% and 53.1%) and (21.3% and 36.6%) for ASAT respectively compared to controls. There were no changes in groups (<7 year) of farm workers compared to controls in relation to work duration.
Effect of pesticides on the levels of serum urea and creatinine of farm workers in relation to work duration in Gaza Strip. There was significant increase in urea and creatinine in groups (<7 year, 7-14 years and >14 years) of farm workers (21.4%, 28.2% and 36.3%) for urea and (18.6%, 25.7% and 28.6%) for creatinine respectively compared to controls in relation to work duration.
Biochemical parameters of farm workers in relation to the self-reported symptom (headache, cough, fatigue and irritation).
The mean level of serum testosterone was significantly decreased in farm workers who reported symptoms (headache, cough, fatigue and irritation) (-24.1%, -22.2%, -22.2% and
-26.0%) respectively compared to controls. In contrast, the levels of LH (20.6%, 14.6%, 22.5%and 30.4%), TSH (34.0%, 28.9, 28.9% and 28.9%), ALAT (27.6%, 28.0%, 26.4% and 26.4%), ASAT (46.0%, 51.5%, 43.1% and 41.0%), urea (33.8%, 30.8%, 35.5% and 39.3%) and creatinine (27.1%, 27.1%, 27.1% and 30.0%) respectively were significantly increased in farm workers who reported symptoms (headache, cough, fatigue and irritation) than controls. Biochemical parameters of farm workers in relation to protective gear (gloves, oral–nasal mask and special boots). The mean level of serum testosterone was significantly decreased in farm workers who didn’t use protective gear (gloves, oral–nasal mask and special boots) (-16.5%, -20.3% and -16.5%) respectively compared to controls. In contrast, the levels of TSH (23.7%, 28.9 and 23.7%), ALAT (22.8%, 22.4% and 21.7%), ASAT (37.2, 38.1and 38.5%), urea (24.4%, 29.9% and 29.9%) and creatinine (22.9%, 25.7% and 22.9%) respectively were significantly increased in farm workers who didn’t use protective gear (gloves, oral–nasal mask and special boots) than controls. However, LH showed no significant change.
from the present study we recommend the restriction of pesticides use as possible and enhancement of people awareness towards the safe use of pesticides and their poisoning hazards on farm workers by launching educational programs and workshops. The unsafe use of pesticides need to implement a formal worker protection program for agricultural workers, which should include education on the appropriate use of pesticides as well as preventive health monitoring for early detection of pesticide exposure. Further studies are needed to clarify the threshold for severity of pesticides which could be useful.