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Acute Health Effects on Planters of Conifer Seedlings Treated with Insecticides

Elfman, Lena ; Hogstedt, Carl ; Engvall, Karin ; Lampa, Erik and Lindh, Christian LU orcid (2009) In Annals of Occupational Hygiene 53(4). p.383-390
Abstract
Objectives: 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... (More)
Objectives: 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. (Less)
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author
; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
insecticides, planter, inflammation markers, biological monitoring, health effects
in
Annals of Occupational Hygiene
volume
53
issue
4
pages
383 - 390
publisher
Oxford University Press
external identifiers
  • wos:000266706300009
  • scopus:70349494194
ISSN
1475-3162
DOI
10.1093/annhyg/mep016
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
57c2570f-65da-4bdd-a67c-0d05e620fcf6 (old id 1444166)
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 13:33:32
date last changed
2022-02-26 21:47:15
@article{57c2570f-65da-4bdd-a67c-0d05e620fcf6,
  abstract     = {{Objectives: 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 &lt; 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.}},
  author       = {{Elfman, Lena and Hogstedt, Carl and Engvall, Karin and Lampa, Erik and Lindh, Christian}},
  issn         = {{1475-3162}},
  keywords     = {{insecticides; planter; inflammation markers; biological monitoring; health effects}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{4}},
  pages        = {{383--390}},
  publisher    = {{Oxford University Press}},
  series       = {{Annals of Occupational Hygiene}},
  title        = {{Acute Health Effects on Planters of Conifer Seedlings Treated with Insecticides}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/annhyg/mep016}},
  doi          = {{10.1093/annhyg/mep016}},
  volume       = {{53}},
  year         = {{2009}},
}