Pesticide monitoring and its health problems in Egypt, a Third World country.
Health profiles for 300 pesticide formulators and 300 pesticide applicators revealed peripheral neuritis (> 40%), psychiatric manifestations (> 40%), electroencephalographic (EEG) changes (> 25%), and hepatorenal dysfunction (> 80%); all these manifestations were confirmed by different diagnostic tools. The frequency of carrier state of hepatitis (HbsAg) was 7.4% and of transitory state was 21.5%. The cytogenetic changes were confirmed by measuring chromosomal aberrations (CAs) among formulators and applicators, and proved to be more than twice those of controls. Pesticides residues among 130 milk, cheese, butter, yoghurt and milk powder samples (DDT, HCH and Dieldrin) were confirmed. Registration schemes, and post-registration programs (monitoring requirements, training needs and control of pesticide and fertilizer imports) should be mandatory.
Department of Occupational Diseases and Industrial Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt.
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D000328:Adult; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D004534:Egypt; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000187:drug effects; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D010575:Pesticides / Q000009:adverse effects*
D010575:Pesticides