TY - JOUR
T1 - Genotoxicity of Occupational Pesticide Exposures among Agricultural Workers in Arab Countries
T2 - A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
AU - Sherif, Moustafa
AU - Makame, Khadija Ramadhan
AU - Östlundh, Linda
AU - Paulo, Marilia Silva
AU - Nemmar, Abderrahim
AU - Ali, Bassam R.
AU - Al-Rifai, Rami H.
AU - Nagy, Károly
AU - Ádám, Balázs
N1 - Funding Information:
This work is supported by the College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS) of the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) research grant [Grant number: G00003625]. The contribution of MSS and KRM was supported by the United Arab Emirates University PhD grant and the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme, respectively.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 by the authors.
PY - 2023/8
Y1 - 2023/8
N2 - Exposure to pesticides in Arab countries is a significant public health concern due to extensive agricultural activity and pesticide use. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the genotoxic effects of agricultural pesticide exposure in the region, identify research gaps, and assess methodological limitations. Following the PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search yielded five relevant studies conducted in Egypt, Syria, and Jordan. Various genotoxicity assays were employed, revealing a higher level of DNA damage in exposed compared to non-exposed individuals. Farmers exposed to pesticides exhibited a significantly higher occurrence of chromosomal translocation (t(14;18)), micronuclei, and chromosomal aberrations. However, only two studies assessed cytotoxicity indirectly. The studies predominantly focused on male participants, with variations in sample size and pesticide types. The lack of detailed exposure data necessitates cautious interpretation. This review underscores the need for further research on the genotoxicity of occupational pesticide exposure in the Middle East. Future studies should adopt robust study designs, collect biological and environmental samples, conduct repeated sampling, analyze seasonal variations, and encompass diverse study sites associated with specific crop groups.
AB - Exposure to pesticides in Arab countries is a significant public health concern due to extensive agricultural activity and pesticide use. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the genotoxic effects of agricultural pesticide exposure in the region, identify research gaps, and assess methodological limitations. Following the PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search yielded five relevant studies conducted in Egypt, Syria, and Jordan. Various genotoxicity assays were employed, revealing a higher level of DNA damage in exposed compared to non-exposed individuals. Farmers exposed to pesticides exhibited a significantly higher occurrence of chromosomal translocation (t(14;18)), micronuclei, and chromosomal aberrations. However, only two studies assessed cytotoxicity indirectly. The studies predominantly focused on male participants, with variations in sample size and pesticide types. The lack of detailed exposure data necessitates cautious interpretation. This review underscores the need for further research on the genotoxicity of occupational pesticide exposure in the Middle East. Future studies should adopt robust study designs, collect biological and environmental samples, conduct repeated sampling, analyze seasonal variations, and encompass diverse study sites associated with specific crop groups.
KW - agriculture
KW - Arab countries
KW - DNA damage
KW - genotoxicity
KW - occupational exposure
KW - pesticide
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85169116890&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3390/toxics11080663
DO - 10.3390/toxics11080663
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:85169116890
SN - 2305-6304
VL - 11
JO - Toxics
JF - Toxics
IS - 8
M1 - 663
ER -