Evaluation of bulky DNA adduct levels after pesticide use: Comparison between open-field farmers and fruit growers

Abstract

Genotoxic impact from pesticide use was evaluated and compared between open-field farmers and fruit growers. Groups of farmers were classified according to the main pesticide sprayed (triazoles or chlorothalonil for open-field farmers n = 19; captan for fruit growers n = 29). Two blood samples (S1 and S3) were collected on consecutive days for each farmer, and white blood cell bulky DNA adduct levels were evaluated by ³²P-postlabelling method. Exposure to pesticides was estimated using a questionnaire. Within each group, no significant variation in the mean relative adduct level (RAL) values was observed between S1 and S3. A quantitative increase was observed at S3 for the subgroup of farmers exposed to chlorothalonil and associated insecticides. Between groups, the mean RAL was significantly higher for open-field farmers, a difference essentially attributable to the triazole subgroup. Owing to the sampling chronology (farmers exposed to triazoles were sampled first, several weeks before farmers exposed to chlorothalonil and associated insecticides), seasonal variations may account for changes in DNA adduct levels in open-field farmers. Among fruit growers, a significant relationship was found between RAL_S3 and two exposure variables generated by questionnaires (statistical general linear model).

Keywords:

• Pesticides
• DNA adducts
• occupational exposure
• open-field farming
• ³²P-postlabelling

Acknowledgments

The helpful collaboration of the Chambre Départementale d’Agriculture du Calvados (Mr Soulas and Mr Dupont), the Association de Coordination Technique Agricole (Mr Beaufreton) and the Coopérative agricole SICOLY (Mr Massardier) in the enrolment of farmers is acknowledged. We thank the nurses who collected blood samples at home, and Miss Bardou and Miss Brouet for interviews with fruit growers. We are grateful to Mrs Bernaud and Mrs Durand and to Mr Devaux and Mr Severin for their implication in the study undertaken with fruit growers. Lastly, we particularly thank O. and F. Périn for their invaluable technical and scientific assistance on ³²P postlabelling.

Financial support was obtained from Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer (Comités du Calvados, du Rhône et de la Manche), Association pour la Recherche sur le Cancer (ARC), Union des Industries pour la Protection des Plantes (UIPP), Conseil Général du Calvados (CG14). J. Le Goff was a recipient of a fellowship from the Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer (Comité du Calvados) and from the Conseil Régional de Basse-Normandie.