[Effects of aerial applications of the herbicide glyphosate and insecticides on human health].
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.
Varona
Marcela
M
Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, D.C., Colombia. mvarona@ins.gov.co <mvarona@ins.gov.co>
Henao
Gloria Lucía
GL
Díaz
Sonia
S
Lancheros
Angélica
A
Murcia
Alix
A
Rodríguez
Nelcy
N
Alvarez
Víctor Hugo
VH
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
D005998:Glycine; D006540:Herbicides; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D007306:Insecticides; D000097797:Glyphosate