Vivien How

Exploring Cancer Development in Adulthood: Cholinesterase Depression and Genotoxic Effect From Chronic Exposure to Organophosphate Pesticides Among Rural Farm Children

ABSTRACT Children are the vulnerable group in the agricultural community due to their early exposure to pesticides through the dynamic interplay between genetic predisposition, environment, and host-related factors. This study aims to identify the possible association between the depression in blood cholinesterase level and genotoxic effect among farm children. The results of micronuclei assay and comet assay showed that the reduced blood cholinesterase level from organophosphate pesticide exposure is significantly associated with an increase in chromosome breakage and DNA strand breaks. These genotoxicity end points suggest that farm childrens cells experience early DNA damage that may lead to uncontrolled cell proliferation during their adulthood. Thus, farm children who grow up near pesticide-treated farmland have a higher probability of developing cancer than children with minimal or zero exposure to pesticides.

Risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders among oil palm fruit harvesters during early harvesting stage.

This cross-sectional study intends to investigate the associations of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among foreign labourers on a socio-economic background, occupational exposure, social lifestyle, and postures adopted during harvesting tasks. A total of 446 male respondents (263 FFB cutters; 183 FFB collectors) were studied using an interview-assisted questionnaire. OWAS was used to determine the severity of awkward posture based on videos of harvesting tasks recorded for each respondent. Analysis found that increasingly educated respondents had higher risk of developing MSDs. Shorter daily work duration and longer resting duration appear to increase the risk of neck and shoulder disorders among harvesters, which may be attributable to organizational work design. Awkward posture was a particularly significant risk factor of MSDs among FFB collectors. Among the results of the study, occupational exposure, postures and certain socio-demographic backgrounds explained some, but not all, the risk factor of MSDs among harvesters. An in-depth investigation, preferably a longitudinal study investigating the dynamic of work activities and other risk factors, such as psychosocial risk factors, are recommended.

Characterization of Risk Factors for DNA Damage Among Paddy Farm Worker Exposed to Mixtures of Organophosphates

This is a cross-sectional study conducted among paddy farmers to characterize potential risk factors that influence levels of DNA damage from exposure to mixtures of organophosphates. Comet assay was used to determine the level of DNA damage by measuring the comet tail length from the exfoliated buccal mucosa. The result suggests that farmers who chronically exposure to a mixture of organophosphates has at least 2-fold significant increase of DNA damage as compared with control group. Factor analysis and linear regression both suggest that DNA damage reported by farmers may influence individual, occupational, and residential factors and are reported as significant predictor factors, whereas this effect is mainly caused by individual factors among the control group. The findings of the present study suggest that either farmer or control group bear certain extent of genotoxic burden contributed by different risk factors.

Evaluate the decision of as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP) solutions for the safe use of pesticide among the pesticide handlers, paddy farm, Tanjung Karang, Selangor

Introduction: Most of the farmers encounter the similar problems such as low-financial capacity and lack of information to control over the pesticide hazards. This study highlights the importance of the approach of As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP) solutions to control and reduce the identified health risks from the pesticide use. Objective: To evaluate the decision of ALARP solutions for the safe use of pesticide among the pesticide handlers. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 85 pesticide handlers to evaluate the ALARP practical solutions. The solution shall consider the factors that could control and mitigate the health risks suitably and cost-effectively. Result and Discussion: Pesticide handlers were aware of the fact that using hazardous pesticides without appropriate control equipment is detrimental to their health. When ALARP solutions are considered, respondents prefer to utilize the control strategies that are less likely to incur costs. Among all, the practices of the safe system of work and administrative control are highly recommended to mitigate the potential health risks during mixing and loading, application, and drift control and decontamination. Conclusion: It is recommended to apply the ALARP solutions to control and mitigate the pesticide risks sustainable during mixing and loading, application, drift reduction and decontamination.

Pesticide management approach towards protecting the safety and health of farmers in Southeast Asia

Abstract Background: It is estimated that pesticide production and use have increased continuously in the countries of Southeast Asia in recent years. Within the context of protecting the safety and health of workers in the agricultural sector, there is an existing gap in the implementation of the pesticide management framework because safety and health effects arising from occupational exposures continue to be reported. Objective: This study aims to provide narrative similarities, differences and weaknesses of the existing pesticide management system in Southeast Asian countries (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam) within the context of occupational safety and health. Methods: This is preliminary traditional review study. Pesticide regulation and management at the country level were identified using web-based search engines such as Scopus, ScienceDirect, PubMed and Google. Book, reports, legislation document and other documents retrieved were also gathered from international organizations and specific websites of governmental agency in Southeast Asian countries. The scope of this review is only limited to literature written in English. In total, 44 review articles, reports and documents were gathered for this study. The approach of pesticide management in protecting safety and health in the agricultural setting were benchmarked according to the elements introduced by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, namely, (1) the protection of workers and (2) the practice of safety. Results: All countries have assigned a local authority and government organization to manage and control pesticide use in the agricultural sector. The countries with the highest usage of pesticide are Thailand, Philippines and Malaysia. Most Southeast Asian countries have emphasized safety practice in the management of pesticide usage, but there were less emphasis on the element of protection of workers within the framework in Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. Conclusion: The governing bodies in the countries of Southeast Asia have placed significant effort to develop framework related to pesticide management at the country level. The implementation of pesticide management based on the existing framework is evident in most of the countries but needs to be improved. It is suggested that emphasis be given to the implementation of diagnosis, health surveillance and reporting system as well as following or adopting standard guidelines for the protection of workers in terms of safety and health in the agricultural sector.

A snapshot of environmental health conditions among indigenous baram communities at borneo, Sarawak

Background: This paper outlines the environmental health conditions arising from the synergistic effect of the rampant human activities (illegal logging and rapid expansion of oil palm plantations) that are exploiting the nature resources without proper planning. This led to the unsolved health problem caused by multifaceted of hazards among the remote indigenous Baram communities at Borneo, Sarawak. Methodology: This is an observational survey, which conducted in two phases, that is, June 2014 and January 2016. A random sampling of locations from the downstream and reservoir zones of the Baram River were selected for site surveillance. A total of 10 indigenous villages were visited and 3 main populations of affected indigenous people (Kayan, Kenyah, and Penan) were recruited for short interviews. Result: The result showed that at least 80% of the interviewed villagers held clear views on the identified environmental hazards; however, site surveillance to review the environmental health conditions of their living area showed that the health of the indigenous community is in the vulnerable and precarious conditions. Discussion and Conclusion: This observational survey provides insights of the current environmental health conditions among the remote aboriginal communities at Borneo Island. The data provides a detailed picture of the state of environmental health conditions and discuss the potential health consequences among the indigenous communities across Baram communities.

Blood cholinesterase level and learning ability of primary school children in an agricultural village, Tanjung Karang, Malaysia.

Objective: The widespread use of organophosphate (OP) insecticides in paddy fields has led to human exposure. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between blood cholinesterase concentrations with the children’s learning ability in the agricultural village of Tanjung Karang, Selangor. Methods: Seventy-seven primary school children who live less than approximately 1km from paddy fields were selected as the exposed group, while another 62 primary schoolchildren who live more than 1 km away from the agriculture site served as the unexposed group. The questionnaires were completed by the parents. The children’s capillary blood was collected using the finger prick technique to determine the blood cholinesterase concentrations using a cholinesterase test kit (Lovibond, AF267, Tintometer Ltd., UK). The McCarthy Scales of Children’s Abilities (MSCA) were used to determine the learning ability of these children. Original Research Article Miswon et al.; BJMMR, 8(1): 52-60, 2015; Article no.BJMMR.2015.426 53 Results: There were significant differences (p<0.05) in blood cholinesterase and all scales in the MSCA between the exposed and the unexposed group. There were significant associations between the blood cholinesterase concentrations and learning ability by all scales in the MSCA (p<0.05). The variable that significantly influenced the blood cholinesterase was gender (p=0.008). Blood cholinesterase was the most significant influencing factor on the learning ability, especially on the motor scale (p=0.002). Conclusion: Blood cholinesterase concentrations were significantly higher and had a significant relationship with the learning ability of the exposed group, especially the motor performance.