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Michael C.r. Alavanja - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Pesticide exposure and risk of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance in the Agricultural Health Study
    Blood, 2009
    Co-Authors: Ola Landgren, Robert A. Kyle, Jane A. Hoppin, Laura E. Beane Freeman, James R. Cerhan, Jerry A. Katzmann, S. Vincent Rajkumar, Michael C.r. Alavanja
    Abstract:

    Pesticides are associated with excess risk of multiple myeloma, albeit inconclusively. We included 678 men (30-94 years) from a well-characterized prospective cohort of Restricted-Use Pesticide applicators to assess the risk of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). Serum samples from all subjects were analyzed by electrophoresis performed on agarose gel; samples with a discrete or localized band were subjected to immunofixation. Age-adjusted prevalence estimates of MGUS were compared with MGUS prevalence in 9469 men from Minnesota. Associations between Pesticide exposures and MGUS prevalence were assessed by logistic regression models adjusted for age and education level. Among study participants older than 50 years (n = 555), 38 were found to have MGUS, yielding a prevalence of 6.8% (95% CI, 5.0%-9.3%). Compared with men from Minnesota, the age-adjusted prevalence of MGUS was 1.9-fold (95% CI, 1.3- to 2.7-fold) higher among male Pesticide applicators. Among applicators, a 5.6-fold (95% CI, 1.9- to 16.6-fold), 3.9-fold (95% CI, 1.5- to 10.0-fold), and 2.4-fold (95% CI, 1.1- to 5.3-fold) increased risk of MGUS prevalence was observed among Users of the chlorinated insecticide dieldrin, the fumigant mixture carbon-tetrachloride/carbon disulfide, and the fungicide chlorothalonil, respectively. In summary, the prevalence of MGUS among Pesticide applicators was twice that in a population-based sample of men from Minnesota, adding support to the hypothesis that specific Pesticides are causatively linked to myelomagenesis.

  • CANCER INCIDENCE AMONG Pesticide APPLICATORS EXPOSED TO ALACHLOR OR ATRAZINE IN THE AGRICULTURAL HEALTH STUDY: ISEE-291
    Epidemiology, 2003
    Co-Authors: Michael C.r. Alavanja, Dale P. Sandler, Won Jin Lee, Jennifer A. Rusiecki, Mustafa Dosemeci, J F Hoppin, A Blair
    Abstract:

    Objectives We evaluated the cancer incidence among over 49,000 Pesticide applicators with exposure to either alachlor or atrazine in the Agricultural Health Study (AHS), a prospective cohort study of over 89,000 Restricted Use Pesticide applicators and spoUses of farmer applicators in Iowa and North Carolina, USA. Methods Comprehensive questionnaire data concerning lifestyle, occupations, personal and family medical history and Use of 50 important agricultural Pesticides, were collected prior to cancer incidence. Standardized incidence ratios (SIR) were estimated for those exposed and those not exposed to alachlor and for those exposed and those not exposed to atrazine, two important agricultural herbicides. Comparing the cancer experience of Pesticide applicators from each state with that expected based on state specific incidence rates. Poisson regression was Used to controlling for the effects of potential confounders (including age, sex, smoking, alcohol, education, state of residence, enrollment year, family history of cancer and the 5 [in the case of alachlor] or [10 in the case of atrazine] other Pesticides most correlated with either alachlor or atrazine). Results A total of 1,466 incident malignant neoplasms occurred during the study period, 1993–2000. The SIR analysis showed a moderate deficit for all malignant neoplasm combined among both Users and non-Users of these herbicides. In Poisson regression analysis of alachlor, we found a significant increasing trend for the incidence of all lymphohematopoietic cancer and cumulative alachlor exposure (p for trend = 0.02). Incidence of leukemia and multiple myeloma was markedly increased among applicators in the highest exposure category. Similar analyses for other cancers did not suggest any association. For atrazine, no significant exposure-response trends were observed for any cancers or for all cancers combined, but non-significant positive trends were observed for cumulative atrazine exposures cancers of the rectum, bladder, and testicles. Conclusion Our findings suggests an association between alachlor exposure and increased incidence of lymphohematopoietic cancer in the Agricultural Health Study. Findings for atrazine are inconclusive at this time. Although the statistical power of the AHS is still low for some cancer evaluations after only 5.3 years of cohort follow-up, the comprehensive prospectively collected data, especially concerning Pesticide exposures is an important strength of the study. Further details of the study are provided at our website: www.aghealth.org. Words = 415

  • Characteristics of Pesticide Use in a Pesticide applicator cohort: the Agricultural Health Study.
    Environmental research, 1999
    Co-Authors: Michael C.r. Alavanja, David T Mage, D P Sandler, C J Mcdonnell, C F Lynch, S H Zahm, W C Steen, W Wintersteen, Matthew Pennybacker, A Blair
    Abstract:

    Data on recent and historic Pesticide Use, Pesticide application methods, and farm characteristics were collected from 35,879 Restricted-Use Pesticide applicators in the first 2 years of the Agricultural Health Study, a prospective study of a large cohort of private and commercial licensed Pesticide applicators that is being conducted in Iowa and North Carolina. (In Iowa, applicators are actually "certified," while in North Carolina they are "licensed"; for ease of reference the term license will be Used for both states in this paper.) Commercial applicators (studied in Iowa only) apply Pesticides more days per year than private applicators in either state. When the types of Pesticides being Used by different groups are compared using the Spearman coefficient of determination (r2), we find that Iowa private and Iowa commercial applicators tend to Use the same type of Pesticides (r2=0.88). White and nonwhite private applicators tended to Use the same type of Pesticides (North Carolina r2=0.89), as did male and female private applicators (Iowa r2=0.85 and North Carolina r2=0.84). There was less similarity (r2=0. 50) between the types of Pesticides being Used by Iowa and North Carolina private applicators. A greater portion of Iowa private applicators Use personal protective equipment than do North Carolina private applicators, and Pesticide application methods varied by state. This heterogeneity in potential exposures to Pesticides between states should be Useful for subsequent epidemiologic analyses using internal comparison groups.

  • Factors associated with self-reported, Pesticide-related visits to health care providers in the agricultural health study.
    Environmental health perspectives, 1998
    Co-Authors: Michael C.r. Alavanja, David T Mage, S H Zahm, Matthew Pennybacker, Dale P. Sandler, Cheryl J. Mcdonnell, Charles F. Lynch, Jay H. Lubin, William C. Steen, W Wintersteen
    Abstract:

    To investigate factors associated with Pesticide-related visits to health care providers (i.e., doctor or hospital visits), responses to self-administered questionnaires received from 35,879 licensed Restricted-Use Pesticide applicators participating in the Agricultural Health Study were analyzed. (In Iowa, applicators are actually certified, whereas in North Carolina they are licensed; for ease of reference, the term license will be Used for both states in this paper.) The cohort reported a total of more than 10.9 million Pesticide-application days. These applications were associated with one or more Pesticide-related health care visits by 2,214 applicators (7.0% of the applicator cohort for whom health care visit data were available). The odds of a Pesticide-related health care visit were increased for commercial applicators compared to private applicators [odds ratio (OR = 1.77; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.52-2.06) and for applicators who Used insecticides 70 times or more in their lifetime compared to those who Used insecticides less frequently (OR = 1.43; CI, 1.26-1.63). After adjusting for the number of applications in a logistic regression model, significantly higher odds of health care visits were observed among North Carolina applicators compared to Iowa applicators (OR = 1.35; CI, 1.17-1.52), among applicators who mixed their own Pesticides (OR = 1.65; CI, 1. 22-2.23), and among applicators who personally repaired their Pesticide application equipment at least once per year (OR = 1.12; CI, 1.06-1.25). Significantly lower odds were found among female versus male applicators (OR = 0.68; CI, 0.46-0.99) and among applicators who graduated from high school versus those who did not (OR = 0.82; CI, 0.71-0.94 for high school graduates and OR = 0.79; CI, 0.68-0.91 for those with at least some college). Several methods of Pesticide application to crops, seed, or stored grain were also associated with significantly elevated odds ratios of health care visits. These observations suggest that several steps can be taken to reduce the number of health care visits resulting from occupational exposure to Pesticides. The implications of this pattern of Pesticide-related health care visits may have etiologic implications for cancer and other chronic diseases.

A Blair - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • CANCER INCIDENCE AMONG Pesticide APPLICATORS EXPOSED TO ALACHLOR OR ATRAZINE IN THE AGRICULTURAL HEALTH STUDY: ISEE-291
    Epidemiology, 2003
    Co-Authors: Michael C.r. Alavanja, Dale P. Sandler, Won Jin Lee, Jennifer A. Rusiecki, Mustafa Dosemeci, J F Hoppin, A Blair
    Abstract:

    Objectives We evaluated the cancer incidence among over 49,000 Pesticide applicators with exposure to either alachlor or atrazine in the Agricultural Health Study (AHS), a prospective cohort study of over 89,000 Restricted Use Pesticide applicators and spoUses of farmer applicators in Iowa and North Carolina, USA. Methods Comprehensive questionnaire data concerning lifestyle, occupations, personal and family medical history and Use of 50 important agricultural Pesticides, were collected prior to cancer incidence. Standardized incidence ratios (SIR) were estimated for those exposed and those not exposed to alachlor and for those exposed and those not exposed to atrazine, two important agricultural herbicides. Comparing the cancer experience of Pesticide applicators from each state with that expected based on state specific incidence rates. Poisson regression was Used to controlling for the effects of potential confounders (including age, sex, smoking, alcohol, education, state of residence, enrollment year, family history of cancer and the 5 [in the case of alachlor] or [10 in the case of atrazine] other Pesticides most correlated with either alachlor or atrazine). Results A total of 1,466 incident malignant neoplasms occurred during the study period, 1993–2000. The SIR analysis showed a moderate deficit for all malignant neoplasm combined among both Users and non-Users of these herbicides. In Poisson regression analysis of alachlor, we found a significant increasing trend for the incidence of all lymphohematopoietic cancer and cumulative alachlor exposure (p for trend = 0.02). Incidence of leukemia and multiple myeloma was markedly increased among applicators in the highest exposure category. Similar analyses for other cancers did not suggest any association. For atrazine, no significant exposure-response trends were observed for any cancers or for all cancers combined, but non-significant positive trends were observed for cumulative atrazine exposures cancers of the rectum, bladder, and testicles. Conclusion Our findings suggests an association between alachlor exposure and increased incidence of lymphohematopoietic cancer in the Agricultural Health Study. Findings for atrazine are inconclusive at this time. Although the statistical power of the AHS is still low for some cancer evaluations after only 5.3 years of cohort follow-up, the comprehensive prospectively collected data, especially concerning Pesticide exposures is an important strength of the study. Further details of the study are provided at our website: www.aghealth.org. Words = 415

  • Characteristics of Pesticide Use in a Pesticide applicator cohort: the Agricultural Health Study.
    Environmental research, 1999
    Co-Authors: Michael C.r. Alavanja, David T Mage, D P Sandler, C J Mcdonnell, C F Lynch, S H Zahm, W C Steen, W Wintersteen, Matthew Pennybacker, A Blair
    Abstract:

    Data on recent and historic Pesticide Use, Pesticide application methods, and farm characteristics were collected from 35,879 Restricted-Use Pesticide applicators in the first 2 years of the Agricultural Health Study, a prospective study of a large cohort of private and commercial licensed Pesticide applicators that is being conducted in Iowa and North Carolina. (In Iowa, applicators are actually "certified," while in North Carolina they are "licensed"; for ease of reference the term license will be Used for both states in this paper.) Commercial applicators (studied in Iowa only) apply Pesticides more days per year than private applicators in either state. When the types of Pesticides being Used by different groups are compared using the Spearman coefficient of determination (r2), we find that Iowa private and Iowa commercial applicators tend to Use the same type of Pesticides (r2=0.88). White and nonwhite private applicators tended to Use the same type of Pesticides (North Carolina r2=0.89), as did male and female private applicators (Iowa r2=0.85 and North Carolina r2=0.84). There was less similarity (r2=0. 50) between the types of Pesticides being Used by Iowa and North Carolina private applicators. A greater portion of Iowa private applicators Use personal protective equipment than do North Carolina private applicators, and Pesticide application methods varied by state. This heterogeneity in potential exposures to Pesticides between states should be Useful for subsequent epidemiologic analyses using internal comparison groups.

Paul B Tchounwou - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • environmental toxicology and health effects associated with methyl parathion exposure a scientific review
    International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2005
    Co-Authors: Falicia L Edwards, Paul B Tchounwou
    Abstract:

    Methyl parathion - MP (C8H10NO5PS) is a Restricted-Use Pesticide that has been widely Used as an agricultural insecticide. It belongs to the class of organophosphate chemicals characterized by their ability to inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity. The main route of human exposure is inhalation, but dermal contact and inadvertent ingestion can also be substantial. Populations that are susceptible to MP exposure primarily are applicators, manufacturers and individuals living near application and/or disposal sites. Exposure has also been reported as a result of illegal indoor application. MP related health effects include headaches, naUsea, night-waking, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, excessive sweating and salivation, incoordination, and mental confusion. Other symptoms including behavior problems, motor skill problems and impairment of memory recall have also been reported. The primary targets of toxicity are the hematopoietic system (serum cholinesterase inhibition), the cardiovascular system (cardiovascular lesions, abnormalities in heart rate and increase in heart-to-body ratio), the reproductive system (placental morphology, fibrosis and hemorrhage, and inhibition of DNA synthesis in seminiferous tubules), and the nervous system (headache, muscle weakness, insomnia, dizziness, and impaired memory). MP is believed to not have any carcinogenic effects. In an attempt to update its toxicologic profile, we hereby provide a critical review of MP-related environmental and toxicologic effects, with a special emphasis on their potential implications for public health.

  • Environmental Toxicology and Health Effects Associated with Methyl Parathion Exposure – A Scientific Review
    International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2005
    Co-Authors: Falicia L Edwards, Paul B Tchounwou
    Abstract:

    Methyl parathion - MP (C8H10NO5PS) is a Restricted-Use Pesticide that has been widely Used as an agricultural insecticide. It belongs to the class of organophosphate chemicals characterized by their ability to inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity. The main route of human exposure is inhalation, but dermal contact and inadvertent ingestion can also be substantial. Populations that are susceptible to MP exposure primarily are applicators, manufacturers and individuals living near application and/or disposal sites. Exposure has also been reported as a result of illegal indoor application. MP related health effects include headaches, naUsea, night-waking, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, excessive sweating and salivation, incoordination, and mental confusion. Other symptoms including behavior problems, motor skill problems and impairment of memory recall have also been reported. The primary targets of toxicity are the hematopoietic system (serum cholinesterase inhibition), the cardiovascular system (cardiovascular lesions, abnormalities in heart rate and increase in heart-to-body ratio), the reproductive system (placental morphology, fibrosis and hemorrhage, and inhibition of DNA synthesis in seminiferous tubules), and the nervous system (headache, muscle weakness, insomnia, dizziness, and impaired memory). MP is believed to not have any carcinogenic effects. In an attempt to update its toxicologic profile, we hereby provide a critical review of MP-related environmental and toxicologic effects, with a special emphasis on their potential implications for public health.

W Wintersteen - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Characteristics of Pesticide Use in a Pesticide applicator cohort: the Agricultural Health Study.
    Environmental research, 1999
    Co-Authors: Michael C.r. Alavanja, David T Mage, D P Sandler, C J Mcdonnell, C F Lynch, S H Zahm, W C Steen, W Wintersteen, Matthew Pennybacker, A Blair
    Abstract:

    Data on recent and historic Pesticide Use, Pesticide application methods, and farm characteristics were collected from 35,879 Restricted-Use Pesticide applicators in the first 2 years of the Agricultural Health Study, a prospective study of a large cohort of private and commercial licensed Pesticide applicators that is being conducted in Iowa and North Carolina. (In Iowa, applicators are actually "certified," while in North Carolina they are "licensed"; for ease of reference the term license will be Used for both states in this paper.) Commercial applicators (studied in Iowa only) apply Pesticides more days per year than private applicators in either state. When the types of Pesticides being Used by different groups are compared using the Spearman coefficient of determination (r2), we find that Iowa private and Iowa commercial applicators tend to Use the same type of Pesticides (r2=0.88). White and nonwhite private applicators tended to Use the same type of Pesticides (North Carolina r2=0.89), as did male and female private applicators (Iowa r2=0.85 and North Carolina r2=0.84). There was less similarity (r2=0. 50) between the types of Pesticides being Used by Iowa and North Carolina private applicators. A greater portion of Iowa private applicators Use personal protective equipment than do North Carolina private applicators, and Pesticide application methods varied by state. This heterogeneity in potential exposures to Pesticides between states should be Useful for subsequent epidemiologic analyses using internal comparison groups.

  • Factors associated with self-reported, Pesticide-related visits to health care providers in the agricultural health study.
    Environmental health perspectives, 1998
    Co-Authors: Michael C.r. Alavanja, David T Mage, S H Zahm, Matthew Pennybacker, Dale P. Sandler, Cheryl J. Mcdonnell, Charles F. Lynch, Jay H. Lubin, William C. Steen, W Wintersteen
    Abstract:

    To investigate factors associated with Pesticide-related visits to health care providers (i.e., doctor or hospital visits), responses to self-administered questionnaires received from 35,879 licensed Restricted-Use Pesticide applicators participating in the Agricultural Health Study were analyzed. (In Iowa, applicators are actually certified, whereas in North Carolina they are licensed; for ease of reference, the term license will be Used for both states in this paper.) The cohort reported a total of more than 10.9 million Pesticide-application days. These applications were associated with one or more Pesticide-related health care visits by 2,214 applicators (7.0% of the applicator cohort for whom health care visit data were available). The odds of a Pesticide-related health care visit were increased for commercial applicators compared to private applicators [odds ratio (OR = 1.77; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.52-2.06) and for applicators who Used insecticides 70 times or more in their lifetime compared to those who Used insecticides less frequently (OR = 1.43; CI, 1.26-1.63). After adjusting for the number of applications in a logistic regression model, significantly higher odds of health care visits were observed among North Carolina applicators compared to Iowa applicators (OR = 1.35; CI, 1.17-1.52), among applicators who mixed their own Pesticides (OR = 1.65; CI, 1. 22-2.23), and among applicators who personally repaired their Pesticide application equipment at least once per year (OR = 1.12; CI, 1.06-1.25). Significantly lower odds were found among female versus male applicators (OR = 0.68; CI, 0.46-0.99) and among applicators who graduated from high school versus those who did not (OR = 0.82; CI, 0.71-0.94 for high school graduates and OR = 0.79; CI, 0.68-0.91 for those with at least some college). Several methods of Pesticide application to crops, seed, or stored grain were also associated with significantly elevated odds ratios of health care visits. These observations suggest that several steps can be taken to reduce the number of health care visits resulting from occupational exposure to Pesticides. The implications of this pattern of Pesticide-related health care visits may have etiologic implications for cancer and other chronic diseases.

Falicia L Edwards - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • environmental toxicology and health effects associated with methyl parathion exposure a scientific review
    International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2005
    Co-Authors: Falicia L Edwards, Paul B Tchounwou
    Abstract:

    Methyl parathion - MP (C8H10NO5PS) is a Restricted-Use Pesticide that has been widely Used as an agricultural insecticide. It belongs to the class of organophosphate chemicals characterized by their ability to inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity. The main route of human exposure is inhalation, but dermal contact and inadvertent ingestion can also be substantial. Populations that are susceptible to MP exposure primarily are applicators, manufacturers and individuals living near application and/or disposal sites. Exposure has also been reported as a result of illegal indoor application. MP related health effects include headaches, naUsea, night-waking, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, excessive sweating and salivation, incoordination, and mental confusion. Other symptoms including behavior problems, motor skill problems and impairment of memory recall have also been reported. The primary targets of toxicity are the hematopoietic system (serum cholinesterase inhibition), the cardiovascular system (cardiovascular lesions, abnormalities in heart rate and increase in heart-to-body ratio), the reproductive system (placental morphology, fibrosis and hemorrhage, and inhibition of DNA synthesis in seminiferous tubules), and the nervous system (headache, muscle weakness, insomnia, dizziness, and impaired memory). MP is believed to not have any carcinogenic effects. In an attempt to update its toxicologic profile, we hereby provide a critical review of MP-related environmental and toxicologic effects, with a special emphasis on their potential implications for public health.

  • Environmental Toxicology and Health Effects Associated with Methyl Parathion Exposure – A Scientific Review
    International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2005
    Co-Authors: Falicia L Edwards, Paul B Tchounwou
    Abstract:

    Methyl parathion - MP (C8H10NO5PS) is a Restricted-Use Pesticide that has been widely Used as an agricultural insecticide. It belongs to the class of organophosphate chemicals characterized by their ability to inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity. The main route of human exposure is inhalation, but dermal contact and inadvertent ingestion can also be substantial. Populations that are susceptible to MP exposure primarily are applicators, manufacturers and individuals living near application and/or disposal sites. Exposure has also been reported as a result of illegal indoor application. MP related health effects include headaches, naUsea, night-waking, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, excessive sweating and salivation, incoordination, and mental confusion. Other symptoms including behavior problems, motor skill problems and impairment of memory recall have also been reported. The primary targets of toxicity are the hematopoietic system (serum cholinesterase inhibition), the cardiovascular system (cardiovascular lesions, abnormalities in heart rate and increase in heart-to-body ratio), the reproductive system (placental morphology, fibrosis and hemorrhage, and inhibition of DNA synthesis in seminiferous tubules), and the nervous system (headache, muscle weakness, insomnia, dizziness, and impaired memory). MP is believed to not have any carcinogenic effects. In an attempt to update its toxicologic profile, we hereby provide a critical review of MP-related environmental and toxicologic effects, with a special emphasis on their potential implications for public health.