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Toxics
Special Issues
Pesticides and Human Health: Between Toxicology and Epidemiology
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Pesticides and Human Health: Between Toxicology and Epidemiology

A special issue of Toxics (ISSN 2305-6304). This special issue belongs to the section "Agrochemicals and Food Toxicology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2025) | Viewed by 7047

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Anja Katić

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: pesticide toxicity; endocrine-disruptive chemicals; reproductive toxicology; developmental toxicology; hormones; epigenetic mechanisms; oxidative stress
Dr. Jose V. Tarazona

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
National Centre for Environmental Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220 Madrid, Spain
Interests: human and environmental risk assessment for pesticides and other chemicals; conceptual developments and the incorporation of new approach methodologies (NAMs); public health and environmental pollution; sustainability assessments; “One Health” approaches
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The purpose of this Special Issue is to contribute, with novel information and integrative approaches, to the knowledge on the health effects of pesticides. It is open to relevant information obtained using different experimental models (e.g., in vitro, in vivo animal models, and in silico models) as well as epidemiological and other human-based studies. Special attention will be given to the integration of toxicological and epidemiological information and to the challenging assessment of the potential endocrine-disruptive properties of these compounds. As a significant part of the exposome, which plays an equally important role in the risk of disease development as the genome itself, pesticide exposure and their significant toxicity to human health represent a very relevant and ongoing actual issue. In spite of extensive research having been conducted, there are still many open questions regarding the specific mechanisms of action of pesticides and their actual impact on human health. Endocrine-disrupting potential has been confirmed for many pesticides today; the interaction of pesticides with the endocrine system may affect fertility and development, metabolism, induce endocrine-mediated tumors, etc. Endocrine disruptors may have specific time windows with high vulnerability, and today, it is widely accepted that early life exposure can influence health outcomes later in life through the “Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD)” hypothesis.

By selecting interesting manuscripts that contribute novel information related to toxicology, epidemiology, and approaches for the integration of both disciplines, this Special Issue will provide us with some new insights into the health risk and endocrine-disruptive properties of pesticides, which have not been investigated in sufficient detail and published in the existing literature.

Dr. Anja Katić
Dr. Jose V. Tarazona
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Toxics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • pesticides
  • human exposure
  • toxicity
  • endocrine disruptors
  • hormones
  • children
  • experimental models
  • risk
  • safety

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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25 pages, 2545 KiB  
Article
Biomonitoring-Based Risk Assessment of Pyrethroid Exposure in the U.S. Population: Application of High-Throughput and Physiologically Based Kinetic Models
by Nan-Hung Hsieh and Eric S. C. Kwok
Toxics 2025, 13(3), 216; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13030216 - 16 Mar 2025
Viewed by 730
Abstract
Pyrethroid insecticides have been extensively utilized in agriculture and residential areas in the United States. This study evaluated the exposure risk by age using available biomonitoring data. We analyzed pyrethroid metabolite concentrations in urine using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) [...] Read more.
Pyrethroid insecticides have been extensively utilized in agriculture and residential areas in the United States. This study evaluated the exposure risk by age using available biomonitoring data. We analyzed pyrethroid metabolite concentrations in urine using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data. Reverse dosimetry was conducted with a high-throughput model and a physiologically based kinetic (PBK) model integrated with a Bayesian inference framework. We further derived Benchmark Dose (BMD) values and systemic points of departure in rats using Bayesian BMD and PBK models. Margins of exposure (MOE) were calculated to assess neurotoxic risk based on estimated daily oral intake and dose metrics in plasma and brain. Results from both models indicated that young children have higher pyrethroid exposure compared to other age groups. All estimated risk values were within acceptable levels of acute neurotoxic effect. Additionally, MOEs calculated from oral doses were lower than those derived from internal doses, highlighting that traditional external exposure assessments tend to overestimate risk compared to advanced internal dose-based techniques. In conclusion, combining high-throughput and PBK approaches enhances the understanding of human health risks associated with pyrethroid exposures, demonstrating their potential for future applications in exposure tracking and health risk assessment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pesticides and Human Health: Between Toxicology and Epidemiology)
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14 pages, 282 KiB  
Article
Neurobehavioral Performance in Preschool Children Exposed Postnatally to Organophosphates in Agricultural Regions, Northern Thailand
by Ajchamon Thammachai, Boonsita Suwannakul, Noppharath Sangkarit, Surat Hongsibsong, Juthasiri Rohitrattana and Ratana Sapbamrer
Toxics 2024, 12(12), 855; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12120855 - 27 Nov 2024
Viewed by 968
Abstract
Evidence of the effects of postnatal exposure to organophosphates (OPs) on children’s neurodevelopment remains limited but crucial. This cross-sectional study evaluated exposure to OPs and neurobehavioral performance in 172 preschool children. Urinary dialkyl phosphate (DAP) metabolites, biomarkers for exposure to OPs, were measured. [...] Read more.
Evidence of the effects of postnatal exposure to organophosphates (OPs) on children’s neurodevelopment remains limited but crucial. This cross-sectional study evaluated exposure to OPs and neurobehavioral performance in 172 preschool children. Urinary dialkyl phosphate (DAP) metabolites, biomarkers for exposure to OPs, were measured. The neurobehavioral assessments included motor skills, memory, and cognitive function, measured using the Purdue pegboard test, digit span test, object memory test, and visual-motor integration. Multiple linear regression models were employed to explore the associations between urinary DAP metabolite levels and neurobehavioral performance, adjusting for potential confounders. Findings revealed that children of farming parents had higher urinary levels of dimethylphosphate (DMP) (Beta = 0.730, 95% CI = 0.138, 1.322, p value = 0.016) and diethylphosphate (DEP) (Beta = 0.668, 95% CI = 0.044, 1.291, p value = 0.036). Additionally, high fruit consumption correlated with increased urinary DEP levels (Beta = 0.398, 95% CI = 0.063, 0.733, p value = 0.020). Critically, elevated urinary DEP was associated with poorer fine motor coordination, affecting performance in the Purdue pegboard test for the dominant hand (Beta = −0.428, 95% CI = −0.661, −0.194, p value < 0.001), the preferred hand (Beta = −0.376, 95% CI = −0.603, −0.149, p value = 0.001), and both hands (Beta = −0.524, 95% CI = −0.773, −0.276, p value < 0.001). These findings highlight the role of parental occupation and diet in children’s OP exposure and suggest that OP exposure negatively impacts fine motor coordination. Targeted interventions, such as promoting organic diets, enhancing workplace safety, and ongoing biomonitoring, are vital to reduce neurodevelopmental risks for vulnerable populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pesticides and Human Health: Between Toxicology and Epidemiology)
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13 pages, 4395 KiB  
Article
Association of Urinary Glyphosate with All-Cause Mortality and Cardiovascular Mortality among Adults in NHANES 2013–2018: Role of Alkaline Phosphatase
by Yongyue Gao, Shuge Shu, Di Zhang, Pu Wang, Xiangyu Yu, Yucheng Wang and Yongquan Yu
Toxics 2024, 12(8), 559; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12080559 - 31 Jul 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1856
Abstract
Glyphosate is the most widely used herbicide in the world. This study aimed to evaluate the relationships among urinary glyphosate, all-cause mortality and cardiovascular diseases (CVD)-related mortality in the general US population of adults, and to determine the role of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), [...] Read more.
Glyphosate is the most widely used herbicide in the world. This study aimed to evaluate the relationships among urinary glyphosate, all-cause mortality and cardiovascular diseases (CVD)-related mortality in the general US population of adults, and to determine the role of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), an inflammation marker that is associated with glyphosate exposure, in these relationships. Subjects from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013–2018 cycles were included. Survey-weighted Cox regression analysis was applied to estimate the relationship of glyphosate with overall and CVD mortalities. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis was utilized to detect the linearity of associations. The intermediary role of ALP was explored by mediation analysis. Our results found consistent and positive associations of glyphosate with all-cause mortality (HR: 1.29, 95%CI: 1.05–1.59) and CVD mortality (HR: 1.32, 95%CI: 1.02–1.70). RCS curves further validated linear and positive dose-dependent relationships between glyphosate and mortality-related outcomes. Moreover, serum ALP was identified as a mediator in these associations and explained 12.1% and 14.0% of the total associations between glyphosate and all-cause death and CVD death risk, respectively. Our study indicated that glyphosate was associated with increased all-cause and CVD mortality in humans. Increased ALP may play an essential role in these associations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pesticides and Human Health: Between Toxicology and Epidemiology)
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15 pages, 649 KiB  
Article
Endocrine-Disrupting Effects of Transplacental and Translactational Exposure to Tembotrione on Hormone Status in Wistar Rat Offspring at Different Developmental Stages: A Pilot Study
by Anja Katić, Irena Brčić Karačonji, Vedran Micek and Davor Želježić
Toxics 2024, 12(8), 533; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12080533 - 24 Jul 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1455
Abstract
Green agronomy promotes the implementation of natural and naturally derived substances in crop protection. In the present study, we evaluated the endocrine-disrupting potential of the allelopathic herbicide tembotrione in Wistar rats by studying the hormone status of offspring from the treated dams. Three [...] Read more.
Green agronomy promotes the implementation of natural and naturally derived substances in crop protection. In the present study, we evaluated the endocrine-disrupting potential of the allelopathic herbicide tembotrione in Wistar rats by studying the hormone status of offspring from the treated dams. Three doses of tembotrione (0.0004, 0.0007, and 4.0 mg/kg b.w./day) have been administered to dams during gestation and/or lactation. In the serum of newborn, weaning, and pubertal female and male offspring, 17β-estradiol and testosterone were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A decrease in 17β-estradiol and testosterone was observed in female and male weaning and pubertal offspring exposed to all doses of tembotrione during gestation and lactation. In weaning offspring exposed only during lactation, 17β-estradiol dropped significantly after exposure to the two lower doses and testosterone after exposure to the lowest dose of tembotrione. The greatest effect was observed at the lowest dose of tembotrione. In newborns, we observed increased 17β-estradiol after exposure to two lower doses of tembotrione and significantly increased testosterone after exposure to the lowest dose. The highest dose of tembotrione decreased 17β-estradiol significantly in newborn females. The obtained results suggest that tembotrione might be considered a pro-estrogenic or estrogen agonistic compound under the exposure conditions applied in this investigation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pesticides and Human Health: Between Toxicology and Epidemiology)
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26 pages, 557 KiB  
Systematic Review
A Systematic Review of Parental Occupational Pesticide Exposure and Geographical Proximity to Agricultural Fields in Association with Neural Tube Defects
by Karoline Felisbino, Shayane da Silva Milhorini, Nathalia Kirsten, Mariane Yoshie Sato, Davi Paula da Silva, Juliana Danna Kulik and Izonete Cristina Guiloski
Toxics 2025, 13(1), 34; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13010034 - 4 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1276
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are the second most common congenital anomaly and have been widely associated with exposure to pesticides. This systematic review which analyzes the association between parental exposure to pesticides and NTDs was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for [...] Read more.
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are the second most common congenital anomaly and have been widely associated with exposure to pesticides. This systematic review which analyzes the association between parental exposure to pesticides and NTDs was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The search strategy was designed considering the population, exposure, controls, outcomes, and study design (PECOS). The inclusion criteria were epidemiological studies involving pesticides exposure during embryonic development, written in English, Portuguese, or Spanish, and performed in 12 databases. Based on the eligibility criteria, 16 articles were selected for analysis. The most frequently assessed NTDs were anencephaly and spina bifida, with 14 studies investigating each of these conditions. The assessment of pesticide exposure was based on parental occupation and residential proximity to agricultural fields. Studies differed regarding the pesticides assessed, exposure windows, and parents exposed. Regarding the outcomes, it was observed that geographic proximity to agricultural fields and a greater association with family members exposed to pesticides were found in mothers and neonates with NTDs. In relation to occupational exposure, some articles found an association with NTDs, while others did not. Therefore, an analysis of the available evidence suggests that pesticides are a risk factor in the development of NTDs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pesticides and Human Health: Between Toxicology and Epidemiology)
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