Viviane Emi Nakano

Evaluation of pesticide residues in oranges from São Paulo, Brazil

Pesticides in “PERA” orange samples (N = 57) from Sao Paulo City, Brazil were assessed and the pesticide intake contribution was estimated for chronic risk assessment. Seventy-six pesticides were evaluated by the gas chromatography multi-residue method, including isomers and metabolites (4.332 determinations). The mean recoveries at the limit of quantification level were in the range of 72-115% and the relative standard deviation for five replicate samples was 1-11%. The limits of detection and quantification ranged from 0.005 to 0.4 mg.kg−1 and from 0.01 to 0.8 mg.kg−1, respectively. Pesticides were found in 42.1% of the samples at levels ranging from 0.06 to 2.9 mg.kg−1. Of the contaminated samples, 3.5% contained residues (bifenthrin and clofentezine) above the maximum residue level and 12.3% contained unauthorized pesticides (azinphos-ethyl, parathion, myclobutanil, profenofos, and fenitrothion). The estimated risk characterization for orange intake by adults and children, respectively, ranged from 0.04 to 6.6% and from 0.1 to 26.5% of the acceptable daily intake. The detection of irregular residues emphasizes the need for better implementation of Good Agriculture Practices and greater control of formulated products. Other pesticides surveyed did not pose a health risk due to consumption.

Organochlorine pesticides levels and associated factors in a group of blood donors in São Paulo, Brazil

The use of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) is a worldwide public health concern given that high levels of these compounds in humans and animals can lead to serious health problems. This study aimed to evaluate the levels of 15 organochlorine pesticides in the serum of 547 blood donors in the São Paulo metropolitan region (SPMR) in 2009 and to investigate factors associated with higher levels of these compounds. The OCPs were determined by gas chromatography with micro electron capture detection. Multiple ordinal logistic regression models were employed to determine the factors associated with higher levels. Only β-HCH and p,p’-DDE had a significant number of samples above the limit of quantification. Factors associated with higher levels of β-HCH were age within 26 to 35xa0years (ORxa0=xa03.1 [1.05–9.09]), age within 36 to 45xa0years (ORxa0=xa018.27 [6.89–48.91]), and female gender (ORxa0=xa00.44 [0.24–0.82] for men). p,p’-DDE levels were associated with age within 26 to 35xa0years (ORxa0=xa02.65 [1.20–3.45]), age within 36 to 45xa0years (ORxa0=xa04.59 [2.64–7.92]), female gender (ORxa0=xa00.86 [0.43–0.94] for men), and previous work with pesticides (ORxa0=xa02.88 [1.22–6.84]). Lower levels of p,p’-DDE were associated with an income of 3 to 5 minimum wages (ORxa0=xa00.38 [0.19–0.75]) and with intake of foods from animal origin up to twice a week (ORxa0=xa00.15 [0.03–0.72]) and more than twice a week (ORxa0=xa00.10 [0.02–0.47]). The results of this study indicate that the study group was not exposed to high levels of OCPs.

Projeto-piloto do Primeiro Inquérito Nacional de Populações Expostas a Substâncias Químicas, 2008-2009

Para viabilizar a futura realizacao de um Inquerito Nacional de Populacoes Expostas a Substâncias Quimicas, executou-se um projeto-piloto para examinar a exequibilidade, testar e adequar metodologias e estabelecer parcerias. Foram realizados tres estudos de corte transversal, respectivamente, com doadores de sangue residentes na Regiao Metropolitana de Sao Paulo-SP, conscritos do Exercito Brasileiro e criancas escolares residentes no municipio do Rio de Janeiro-RJ, mediante aplicacao de questionarios e coleta de material biologico (sangue venoso e capilar, unha e cabelo) para analise de metais e compostos organoclorados persistentes. Concluiu-se que e viavel a realizacao de um Inquerito Nacional, embora a estrategia de obtencao das amostras biologicas deva ser definida para cada subgrupo da populacao. Recomenda-se aproveitar as estruturas de servicos existentes para obtencao de amostras, utilizar matrizes tradicionais para maior comparabilidade e garantir sua realizacao periodica.