title: Heavy metals and pesticide exposure from agricultural activities and former agrochemical factory in a Salvadoran rural community.
abstract: Pesticide handling in farming activities involves substantial hazards for the rural population and for the environment. In Latin America, it is estimated that the population at risk of being affected by heavy metals is over 4 million. This research describes the different types of exposure to pesticides and heavy metals in a rural population (Loma del Gallo), considering both environmental and occupational exposure. This study consists of an inspection in a former pesticide factory (QUIMAGRO), analysis of heavy metals in samples from surface and ground water in the community close to the factory, and a survey to the local population about their perceptions of pesticide exposures. Containers with 34.6 tons of chemicals improperly stored were identified in the former factory and removed by the government. Arsenic and cadmium were found in groundwater, and the highest values were 0.012 and 0.004 mg/l, respectively. These contaminants were also detected in most surface water samples, with maximum values of 0.026 and 0.0001 mg/l, respectively. Results of the survey show that of the 44 participants 42 % were farmers. Farmers used 19 different pesticide products containing 11 active ingredients. The most used active ingredients were paraquat (65 %), methamidophos (35 %), and atrazina (29 %). Eighty-two percent of the farmers did not use personal protective equipment. In addition to the pesticides used in the agriculture of the area, pesticide containers were removed from the QUIMAGRO area, but the pollution was still present at time of sampling and it is evident by the odor of the site. Surface water had the major concentration of heavy metals than the groundwater. Loma del Gallo population has been exposed to toxic pesticide from QUIMAGRO and agriculture for many years. The farmers carry out mishandling of pesticides and they not use PPE.
authors: Ministry of Health El Salvador, Calle Gabriela Mistral Avenida del Prado, National Institute of Health, N° J-234, Col. Buenos Aires I, San Salvador, El Salvador. edgarquinteros.m@gmail.com.
authors: Edgar
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0939-7318
authors: E
authors: Quinteros
authors: Ministry of Health El Salvador, Calle Gabriela Mistral Avenida del Prado, National Institute of Health, N° J-234, Col. Buenos Aires I, San Salvador, El Salvador.
authors: Alexandre
authors: A
authors: Ribó
authors: Ministry of Health El Salvador, Calle Gabriela Mistral Avenida del Prado, National Institute of Health, N° J-234, Col. Buenos Aires I, San Salvador, El Salvador.
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Mejía
authors: Ministry of Health El Salvador, Calle Gabriela Mistral Avenida del Prado, National Institute of Health, N° J-234, Col. Buenos Aires I, San Salvador, El Salvador.
authors: Alejandro
authors: A
authors: López
authors: National Reference Laboratory, Ministry of Health El Salvador, Alameda Roosvelt, Edificio Max Bloch, frente a parque Cuscatlán, San Salvador, El Salvador.
authors: Wilfredo
authors: W
authors: Belteton
authors: Department of General Science, College of Southern Nevada, 6375 W. Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas, NV, 89146, USA.
authors: Aimee
authors: A
authors: Comandari
authors: Ministry of Health El Salvador, Calle Gabriela Mistral Avenida del Prado, National Institute of Health, N° J-234, Col. Buenos Aires I, San Salvador, El Salvador.
authors: Carlos M
authors: CM
authors: Orantes
authors: Ministry of Health El Salvador, Calle Gabriela Mistral Avenida del Prado, National Institute of Health, N° J-234, Col. Buenos Aires I, San Salvador, El Salvador.
authors: Ernesto B
authors: EB
authors: Pleites
authors: Ministry of Health El Salvador, Calle Gabriela Mistral Avenida del Prado, National Institute of Health, N° J-234, Col. Buenos Aires I, San Salvador, El Salvador.
authors: Carlos E
authors: CE
authors: Hernández
authors: Department of Geological Sciences, Ohio University, Clippinger Laboratories 316, Athens, OH, 45701-2979, USA.
authors: Dina L
authors: DL
authors: López
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture; D002617:Chemical Industry; D004544:El Salvador; D005260:Female; D060587:Groundwater / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis*; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D010575:Pesticides / Q000032:analysis; D012424:Rural Population; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019216:Metals, Heavy; D010575:Pesticides; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Arsenic; Cadmium; Central America; El Salvador; Former pesticide factory; Heavy metals; Obsolete pesticides; Pesticide exposure; Pesticide management