Acute health effects on planters of conifer seedlings treated with insecticides.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to assess acute health effects on planters caused by planting conifer seedlings treated with two insecticides, with active ingredients imidacloprid and cypermethrin, in comparison with untreated seedlings.


METHODS
The investigation was a double-blind crossover study, which included a follow-up of 19 planters over a 3-week period. During Week 1, the 19 planters handled untreated conifer seedlings while they planted imidacloprid- and cypermethrin-treated seedlings during study Week 2 and 3, respectively. Signs and symptoms of acute health effects were documented by a questionnaire, administered by the field staff, during these 3 weeks. Inflammation markers in the nasal mucous membrane were also measured as an objective test. Exposure to cypermethrin was further assessed by measuring 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA) in urine. No validated biomarker was available to assess internal exposure to imidacloprid.


RESULTS
No clear, acute adverse health effects could be found in planters during the week of exposure to conifer seedlings treated with imidacloprid (Merit Forest) or cypermethrin (Forester), as compared to during the week of planting untreated seedlings. During the week of cypermethrin exposure, the individuals had 3-PBA values that were 12-54% higher (P < 0.05), depending on the worker, than those observed during the untreated week. There were no statistically significant correlations between the raised levels of 3-PBA and self-reported health problems. These results have been obtained during planting in late summer/early autumn and with good use of protective clothing.


CONCLUSIONS
No clear, acute adverse health effects could be found in planters after exposure to conifer seedlings treated with imidacloprid (Merit Forest) or cypermethrin (Forester), as compared with planting untreated seedlings. The metabolite, 3-PBA, was found in low levels in urine and was increased after exposure to cypermethrin. However, no clear relationships could be found between exposure and reported symptoms or between elevated 3-PBA levels and reported symptoms.
Department of Medical Sciences, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Uppsala University Hospital, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden. lena.elfman@medsci.uu.se
Lena
L
Elfman
Carl
C
Hogstedt
Karin
K
Engvall
Erik
E
Lampa
Christian H
CH
Lindh
D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D000419:Albuminuria; D000818:Animals; D001565:Benzoates / Q000652:urine; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000652:urine; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D016468:Forestry; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D019570:Inhalation Exposure; D007306:Insecticides / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009113:Muramidase / Q000652:urine; D000073943:Neonicotinoids; D009574:Nitro Compounds / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011481:Protective Clothing; D011722:Pyrethrins / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D012869:Skin Absorption; D064028:Tracheophyta
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D001565:Benzoates; D015415:Biomarkers; D007093:Imidazoles; D007306:Insecticides; D000073943:Neonicotinoids; D009574:Nitro Compounds; D011722:Pyrethrins; C017160:cypermethrin; C082359:imidacloprid; C017618:3-phenoxybenzoic acid; D009113:Muramidase