Occupational Exposure to Pesticides Among Farmworkers in Morocco: A Study Framework for Endocrine and Epigenetic Effect Assessment
Pesticides are compounds of major use in agriculture worldwide. Nevertheless, many pesticide chemicals are classified as endocrine disruptors and potentially carcinogens. Farmers and farmworkers are particularly exposed and are at high risk of developing health-related impairments. In Morocco, the l...
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| author | Kaoutar Chbihi Aziza Menouni Imane Berni Hala Chetouani Said Abou-Said Amal Amellah Robin Lebegge Eline Verscheure Jeroen Vanoirbeek Radu-Corneliu Duca Lode Godderis Samir El Jaafari |
| author_facet | Kaoutar Chbihi Aziza Menouni Imane Berni Hala Chetouani Said Abou-Said Amal Amellah Robin Lebegge Eline Verscheure Jeroen Vanoirbeek Radu-Corneliu Duca Lode Godderis Samir El Jaafari |
| author_sort | Kaoutar Chbihi |
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| description | Pesticides are compounds of major use in agriculture worldwide. Nevertheless, many pesticide chemicals are classified as endocrine disruptors and potentially carcinogens. Farmers and farmworkers are particularly exposed and are at high risk of developing health-related impairments. In Morocco, the lack of awareness towards pesticide hazards and the inappropriate application of safety measures might increase the exposure as well as the risks of health concerns. In this paper, we present the framework of a study designed to assess pesticide exposure among Moroccan farmers and farmworkers and to evaluate potential health effects, namely endocrine and epigenetic impacts. Human biological monitoring will be conducted to determine pesticide levels in urine following the development and validation of sensitive chromatography methods (SPE, UPLC-MS/MS). Biomarkers of exposure include a set of parent and metabolite pesticide compounds (organophosphates, pyrethroids, triazines and urea-based pesticides). Thyroid and reproductive hormones (TSH, T<sub>3</sub>, T<sub>4</sub>, FSH and LH) as well as global and specific DNA methylation markers (5-mC, 5-hmC, N<sup>6</sup>-mA, THRB and LHR) are selected as biomarkers of effects. This provides guiding steps and methods to perform reliable exposure evaluation and health impact assessment. This study aims to expand the current knowledge on the endocrine and epigenetic risks related to pesticides, especially in low- and middle-income countries. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Toxics |
| spelling | doaj-art-bd325993abeb46b596b95a82fed5129e2025-08-20T03:47:57ZengMDPI AGToxics2305-63042025-04-0113534010.3390/toxics13050340Occupational Exposure to Pesticides Among Farmworkers in Morocco: A Study Framework for Endocrine and Epigenetic Effect AssessmentKaoutar Chbihi0Aziza Menouni1Imane Berni2Hala Chetouani3Said Abou-Said4Amal Amellah5Robin Lebegge6Eline Verscheure7Jeroen Vanoirbeek8Radu-Corneliu Duca9Lode Godderis10Samir El Jaafari11Human Epidemiology and Environmental Health Team, Faculty of Sciences, Moulay Ismail University, Meknes 50000, MoroccoEnvironment & Health Unit, Department of Public Health & Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3000 Leuven, BelgiumHigher Institution of Nursing Professions and Health Techniques, Laâyoune 70000, MoroccoHuman Epidemiology and Environmental Health Team, Faculty of Sciences, Moulay Ismail University, Meknes 50000, MoroccoHuman Epidemiology and Environmental Health Team, Faculty of Sciences, Moulay Ismail University, Meknes 50000, MoroccoHuman Epidemiology and Environmental Health Team, Faculty of Sciences, Moulay Ismail University, Meknes 50000, MoroccoEnvironment & Health Unit, Department of Public Health & Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3000 Leuven, BelgiumEnvironment & Health Unit, Department of Public Health & Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3000 Leuven, BelgiumEnvironment & Health Unit, Department of Public Health & Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3000 Leuven, BelgiumEnvironment & Health Unit, Department of Public Health & Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3000 Leuven, BelgiumEnvironment & Health Unit, Department of Public Health & Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3000 Leuven, BelgiumHuman Epidemiology and Environmental Health Team, Faculty of Sciences, Moulay Ismail University, Meknes 50000, MoroccoPesticides are compounds of major use in agriculture worldwide. Nevertheless, many pesticide chemicals are classified as endocrine disruptors and potentially carcinogens. Farmers and farmworkers are particularly exposed and are at high risk of developing health-related impairments. In Morocco, the lack of awareness towards pesticide hazards and the inappropriate application of safety measures might increase the exposure as well as the risks of health concerns. In this paper, we present the framework of a study designed to assess pesticide exposure among Moroccan farmers and farmworkers and to evaluate potential health effects, namely endocrine and epigenetic impacts. Human biological monitoring will be conducted to determine pesticide levels in urine following the development and validation of sensitive chromatography methods (SPE, UPLC-MS/MS). Biomarkers of exposure include a set of parent and metabolite pesticide compounds (organophosphates, pyrethroids, triazines and urea-based pesticides). Thyroid and reproductive hormones (TSH, T<sub>3</sub>, T<sub>4</sub>, FSH and LH) as well as global and specific DNA methylation markers (5-mC, 5-hmC, N<sup>6</sup>-mA, THRB and LHR) are selected as biomarkers of effects. This provides guiding steps and methods to perform reliable exposure evaluation and health impact assessment. This study aims to expand the current knowledge on the endocrine and epigenetic risks related to pesticides, especially in low- and middle-income countries.https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/13/5/340DNA methylationexposureendocrine disruptorsfarmworkershuman biomonitoringMorocco |
| spellingShingle | Kaoutar Chbihi Aziza Menouni Imane Berni Hala Chetouani Said Abou-Said Amal Amellah Robin Lebegge Eline Verscheure Jeroen Vanoirbeek Radu-Corneliu Duca Lode Godderis Samir El Jaafari Occupational Exposure to Pesticides Among Farmworkers in Morocco: A Study Framework for Endocrine and Epigenetic Effect Assessment Toxics DNA methylation exposure endocrine disruptors farmworkers human biomonitoring Morocco |
| title | Occupational Exposure to Pesticides Among Farmworkers in Morocco: A Study Framework for Endocrine and Epigenetic Effect Assessment |
| title_full | Occupational Exposure to Pesticides Among Farmworkers in Morocco: A Study Framework for Endocrine and Epigenetic Effect Assessment |
| title_fullStr | Occupational Exposure to Pesticides Among Farmworkers in Morocco: A Study Framework for Endocrine and Epigenetic Effect Assessment |
| title_full_unstemmed | Occupational Exposure to Pesticides Among Farmworkers in Morocco: A Study Framework for Endocrine and Epigenetic Effect Assessment |
| title_short | Occupational Exposure to Pesticides Among Farmworkers in Morocco: A Study Framework for Endocrine and Epigenetic Effect Assessment |
| title_sort | occupational exposure to pesticides among farmworkers in morocco a study framework for endocrine and epigenetic effect assessment |
| topic | DNA methylation exposure endocrine disruptors farmworkers human biomonitoring Morocco |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/13/5/340 |
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