DNA damage in horticultural farmers: a pilot study showing an association with organophosphate pesticide exposure

Abstract

A study of horticultural farmers exposed to organophosphate pesticides (OPs) and controls investigated the relationships between OP exposure, DNA damage and oxidative stress. Blood acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and urinary dialkylphosphate (DAP) levels determined exposure and 8-hydroxy-29- deoxyguanosine (8OHdG) indicated oxidative stress status. The farmers had approximately 30% lower AChE activity and increased DAP levels compared with the controls, reflecting moderate OP exposure. They had higher DNA damage than the controls and there was a significant positive relationship between DAP and DNA damage with greater than 95% power. The farmers also had a significant positive relationship between urinary DAP and 8OHdG levels.

Keywords::

• Acetylcholinesterase
• 8-hydroxy-29-deoxyguanosine
• organophosphate pesticides

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Dr Mick Dunn, Medical Toxicology Centre, Newcastle University who carried out the urinary 8OHdG analysis and to Ms Samantha Jameson for technical support.

Declaration of interest: This research was supported by a project grant provided by DEFRA (VM02301).