title: Urinary concentrations of organophosphate and carbamate pesticides in residents of a vegetarian community.
abstract: Few population studies have measured urinary levels of pesticides in individuals with vegan, vegetarian, or organic diets. The objectives of this study were to evaluate whether a vegan/vegetarian diet was associated with increased exposure to organophosphate and carbamate pesticides, and to evaluate the impact of organic consumption on pesticide exposure in vegans and vegetarians. In the current pilot study conducted in 2013-2014, we collected spot urine samples and detailed 24h recall dietary data in 42 adult residents of Amirim, a vegetarian community in Northern Israel. We measured urinary levels of non-specific organophosphate pesticide metabolites (dialkylphosphates, (DAPs)) and specific metabolites of the current-use pesticides chlorpyrifos (3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCPy)), propoxur (-isopropoxyphenol (IPPX)), and carbaryl (1-naphthol). Six DAP metabolites were detected in between 67 and 100% of urine samples, with highest geometric mean concentrations for dimethylphosphate (19.2μg/g). Creatinine-adjusted median concentrations of total DAPs and of TCPy were significantly higher in Amirim residents compared to the general Jewish population in Israel (0.29μmol/g compared to 0.16, p<0.05 for DAPs and 4.32μg/g compared to 2.34μg/g, p<0.05 for TCPy). Within Amirim residents, we observed a positive association between vegetable intake and urinary TCPy levels (rho=0.47, p<0.05) and lower median total dimethyl phosphate levels in individuals reporting that >25% of the produce they consume is organic (0.065μmol/L compared to 0.22, p<0.05). Results from this pilot study indicate relatively high levels of urinary organophosphate pesticide metabolite concentrations in residents of a vegetarian community, a positive association between vegetable intake and urinary levels of a chlorpyrifos specific metabolite, and lower levels of total dimethyl phosphate in individuals reporting higher intake of organic produce. Results suggest that consumption of organic produce may offer some protection from increased exposure to organophosphate pesticide residues in vegetarians.
authors: Public Health Services, Ministry of Health, Israel. Electronic address: tamar.berman@moh.health.gov.il.
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Berman
authors: Institute and Outpatient Clinic of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany.
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Göen
authors: Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Novack
authors: Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Beacher
authors: Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Hebrew University, Rehovot, Israel.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Grinshpan
authors: Braude College, Karmiel, Israel.
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Segev
authors: Institute of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Hypertension, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, The Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Tordjman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002219:Carbamates / Q000652:urine*; D004390:Chlorpyrifos / Q000652:urine; D004032:Diet; D014676:Diet, Vegetarian; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D058870:Food, Organic; D006801:Humans; D007306:Insecticides / Q000652:urine; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009284:Naphthols / Q000652:urine; D010755:Organophosphates / Q000652:urine*; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds / Q000652:urine; D010573:Pesticide Residues; D010575:Pesticides / Q000652:urine*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D000066988:Vegetarians / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
chemical_list: D002219:Carbamates; D007306:Insecticides; D009284:Naphthols; D010755:Organophosphates; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D010573:Pesticide Residues; D010575:Pesticides; C029350:1-naphthol; C007477:dimethyl phosphate; D004390:Chlorpyrifos
keywords: Biomonitoring; Dialkylphosphates; Exposure; Organophosphates; Pesticides; Vegetarian