title: [Effects of aerial applications of the herbicide glyphosate and insecticides on human health].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The herbicide glyphosate is administered aerially by the Program to Eradicate Illicit Crops Program and is undertaken in rigorous compliance with the Environmental Management Plan.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The effects of the glyphosate herbicide and other aerially applied insecticides were measured to determine possible impact on human health.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 2006-2006, a survey was taken of 112 individuals living in herbicide-treated areas of the Colombian provinces of Huila, Tolima, Putumayo, Guaviare, Santander, Antioquia, Magdalena and La Guajira. Samples of blood were examined for presence of acetylcholinesterase and organochlorine insecticides; urine was analyzed for glyphosate and its metabolites.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty percent (50%) of the individuals sampled acknowledged the use of control chemicals as part of their work. The mean exposure time to the chemicals was 84.4 months, with a mean daily exposure of 5.6 hours. The most commonly used pesticides were of category I--extremely hazardous. In individuals sampled for glyphosate (39.6% of the total), 64.3% indicated the use of this herbicide at ground level in agricultural work. A statistically significative relationship was found between the use of glyphosate at ground level, and the concentration levels of glyphosate in the urine samples (odds ratio=2.54, 95% CI: 1.08 to 6.8).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data did not show a relationship between the aerial sprayings of glyphosate for illicit crops eradication and an impact on human health, nor with occupational exposure to this and other chemicals (insecticides) with a high levels of toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, D.C., Colombia. mvarona@ins.gov.co <mvarona@ins.gov.co>
authors.forename: Marcela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Varona
authors.forename: Gloria Lucía
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Henao
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Díaz
authors.forename: Angélica
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lancheros
authors.forename: Alix
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Murcia
authors.forename: Nelcy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rodríguez
authors.forename: Víctor Hugo
authors.initials: VH
authors.lastname: Alvarez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003105:Colombia; D018556:Crops, Agricultural; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005998:Glycine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000633:toxicity; D006540:Herbicides / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D007306:Insecticides / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012926:Social Control, Formal; D055815:Young Adult; D000097797:Glyphosate
chemical_list: D005998:Glycine; D006540:Herbicides; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D007306:Insecticides; D000097797:Glyphosate