CRUCIAL PAPER 42:
Genetic damage found in soybean workers in Brazil
Date Added to website 2nd September 2013
A new peer-reviewed study has found DNA damage and elevated cell death of blood cells in soybean workers exposed to fungicides, herbicides, and insecticides in Brazil. Glyphosate and 2,4-D were among the herbicides used by the exposed group. 2,4-D is increasingly used to combat glyphosate-resistant weeds in GM soybean fields.
This research comes as no surprise, given the revelations about the health damage done to farm workers and poor people who happen to live in the spray zones around plantings of GMO soy in particular. But anecdotal evidence is one thing -- careful studies like this are needed to underpin the horrendous images of the "collateral damage" associated with GM crop plantings. --- ---
Benedetti, D., et al. (2013). "Genetic damage in soybean workers exposed to pesticides: evaluation with the comet and buccal micronucleus cytome assays." Mutat Res 752(1-2): 28-33. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S138357181300003X
Abstract
Soybean cultivation is widespread in the State of Rio Grande do Sul (RS, Brazil), especially in the city of Espumoso. Soybean workers in this region are increasingly exposed to a wide combination of chemical agents present in formulations of fungicides, herbicides, and insecticides.
In the present study, the comet assay in peripheral leukocytes and the buccal micronucleus (MN) cytome assay (BMCyt) in exfoliated buccal cells were used to assess the effects of exposures to pesticides in soybean farm workers from Espumoso.
A total of 127 individuals, 81 exposed and 46 non-exposed controls, were evaluated. Comet assay and BMCyt (micronuclei and nuclear buds) data revealed DNA damage in soybean workers. Cell death was also observed (condensed chromatin, karyorhectic, and karyolitic cells). Inhibition of non-specific choline esterase (BchE) was not observed in the workers.
The trace element contents of buccal samples were analyzed by Particle-Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE). Higher concentrations of Mg, Al, Si, P, S, and Cl were observed in cells from workers. No associations with use of personal protective equipment, gender, or mode of application of pesticides were observed. Our findings indicate the advisability of monitoring genetic toxicity in soybean farm workers exposed to pesticides.