Search

Despite the fact that several cases of unsafe pesticide use among farmers in different parts of Africa have been documented, there is limited evidence regarding which specific interventions are effective in reducing pesticide exposure and associated risks to human health and ecology. The overall goal of the African Pesticide Intervention Project (APsent) study is to better understand ongoing research and public health activities related to interventions in Africa through the implementation of suitable target-specific situations or use contexts. A systematic review of the scientific literature on pesticide intervention studies with a focus on Africa was conducted. This was followed by a qualitative survey among stakeholders involved in pesticide research or management in the African region to learn about barriers to and promoters of successful interventions. The project was concluded with an international workshop in November 2021, where a broad range of topics relevant to occupational and environmental health risks were discussed such as acute poisoning, street pesticides, switching to alternatives, or disposal of empty pesticide containers. Key areas of improvement identified were training on pesticide usage techniques, research on the effectiveness of interventions targeted at exposure reduction and/or behavioral changes, awareness raising, implementation of adequate policies, and enforcement of regulations and processes.

Little is known about how bystanders perceive risks from pesticide use in areas with frequent aerial spraying of pesticides. This research aims to better understand how bystanders (school workers) from three counties of the Limón province in Costa Rica, who did not have a contractual relationship with agricultural production, perceive risks of pesticides in the areas where they work and live. A face-to-face survey was carried out among 475 school workers, of whom 455 completed all 33 questions on pesticide risk perception. An exploratory factor analysis characterized underlying perceptions of pesticide exposure. Nine factors explained 40% of total variance and concerned severity and magnitude of perceived risk, manageability, benefits and support of pesticide use, amongst others. We subsequently analyzed what variables explained the five factors with satisfactory internal consistency, using separate multivariable linear regression models. Older school workers, (male) elementary teachers, and women school workers (particularly from schools situated near agricultural fields with aerial spraying of pesticides), felt greater severity and/or magnitude of risk from pesticide use. This study shows that bystanders are concerned about health risks from pesticide use. Their risk perceptions are not only shaped by gender and age like previously reported in the literature, but also by job title and geographical context. Understanding of what hazards people care about and how they deal with them is essential for successful risk management, bystanders should therefore be considered as a relevant actor in debates around pesticide issues and for informing the development of regulations and risk reduction strategies. Pouco se sabe sobre como os transeuntes percebem os riscos do uso de pesticidas em áreas com pulverização aérea frequente de pesticidas. Esta pesquisa visa compreender melhor como os transeuntes (trabalhadores escolares) de três municípios da província de Limón, na Costa Rica, que não tinham relação contratual com a produção agrícola, percebem os riscos dos agrotóxicos nas áreas onde trabalham e residem. Uma pesquisa cara a cara foi realizada entre 475 funcionários da escola, dos quais 455 responderam todas as 33 perguntas sobre percepção de risco de pesticidas. Uma análise fatorial exploratória caracterizou as percepções subjacentes da exposição a pesticidas. Nove fatores explicaram 40% da variância total e diziam respeito à gravidade e magnitude do risco percebido, gerenciabilidade, benefícios e suporte do uso de pesticidas, entre outros. Subseqüentemente, analisamos quais variáveis ​​explicaram os cinco fatores com consistência interna satisfatória, usando modelos de regressão linear multivariável separados. Trabalhadores mais velhos em escolas, professores primários (homens) e mulheres trabalhadoras (principalmente de escolas situadas perto de campos agrícolas com pulverização aérea de pesticidas), sentiram maior gravidade e / ou magnitude do risco do uso de pesticidas. Este estudo mostra que os transeuntes estão preocupados com os riscos para a saúde do uso de pesticidas. Suas percepções de risco não são moldadas apenas por gênero e idade, conforme relatado anteriormente na literatura, mas também pelo cargo e pelo contexto geográfico. A compreensão de quais perigos as pessoas se preocupam e como lidam com eles é essencial para uma gestão de risco bem-sucedida, os espectadores devem, portanto, ser considerados um ator relevante nos debates sobre questões de pesticidas e para informar o desenvolvimento de regulamentações e estratégias de redução de risco. Se sabe poco acerca de cómo los transeúntes perciben los riesgos del uso de plaguicidas en áreas con fumigación aérea frecuente de plaguicidas. Esta investigación tiene como objetivo comprender mejor cómo los transeúntes (trabajadores escolares) de tres provincias de la provincia de Limón en Costa Rica, que no tenían una relación contractual con la producción agrícola, perciben los riesgos de los plaguicidas en las áreas donde trabajan y viven. Se realizó una encuesta cara a cara entre 475 trabajadores escolares, de los cuales 455 completaron las 33 preguntas sobre percepción del riesgo de plaguicidas. Un análisis factorial exploratorio caracterizó las percepciones subyacentes de la exposición a plaguicidas. Nueve factores explicaron el 40% de la varianza total y se referían a la gravedad y magnitud del riesgo percibido, la manejabilidad, los beneficios y el apoyo del uso de plaguicidas, entre otros. Posteriormente, analizamos qué variables explicaban los cinco factores con una consistencia interna satisfactoria, utilizando modelos separados de regresión lineal multivariable. Los trabajadores escolares de mayor edad, los maestros de primaria (varones) y las trabajadoras escolares (en particular de las escuelas situadas cerca de los campos agrícolas con fumigación aérea de pesticidas) sintieron una mayor gravedad y / o magnitud de riesgo por el uso de pesticidas. Este estudio muestra que los transeúntes están preocupados por los riesgos para la salud derivados del uso de pesticidas. Sus percepciones de riesgo no solo están determinadas por el género y la edad, como se informó anteriormente en la literatura, sino también por el puesto de trabajo y el contexto geográfico. La comprensión de los peligros que preocupan a las personas y cómo los afrontan es esencial para una gestión de riesgos exitosa; por lo tanto, los espectadores deben ser considerados como actores relevantes en los debates sobre temas de plaguicidas y para informar el desarrollo de regulaciones y estrategias de reducción de riesgos. Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). Canada’s International Development Research Center Wageningen University (CERES/WASS), The Netherlands Instituto Regional en Estudios en Sustancias Tóxicas

Documento aceptado para publicación, no es la versión final publicada Programa Infantes y Salud Ambiental Programa ISA Infant´s Environmental Health Study Infant´s Environmental Health Program Early caregiving is one of the strongest influences on children's development, and among the most significant modifiable environmental factor. The aim of this study was to explore the association between quality of caregiver-infant interactions and neurodevelopment of infants living in banana-growing communities in rural Costa Rica characterized as having environmental toxic exposures. Home visits were conducted with 94 caregiver-infant dyads from the Infants’ Environmental Health Study (ISA), living within Matina county, Limón province. One-year infant neurodevelopmental outcomes were assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development®, Third Edition (Bayley-III). Quality of caregiver-infant interaction was assessed with a standardized observational task: Nursing Child Assessment Satellite Training Teaching scale (NCATS) at around two years of age. Multiple regression analyses examined associations between components of caregiver-infant interactions and neurodevelopmental outcomes, adjusting for mancozeb and manganese exposure and other potential confounders. Compared to NCATS normative data for U.S. Hispanic mothers, 35% of the sample had overall caregiving interaction scores ≤10th percentile cut-off, indicating less than optimal interactions. Higher quality of caregiver-infant interaction was associated with higher expressive communication ability in infants [ß = 0.03 (95% CI: 0.01, 0.06)], controlling for pesticide exposure and confounders. Aspects of caregiving such as stimulation and growth-fostering of infants were most strongly associated with language outcomes. Results suggest an association between positive caregiving on language development for infants living in a rural agricultural area in Costa Rica, and highlight aspects of caregiving that could be targeted to improve resilience of these children who live in vulnerable conditions El cuidado temprano es una de las influencias más fuertes en el desarrollo de los niños y uno de los factores ambientales modificables más importantes. El objetivo de este estudio fue explorar la asociación entre la calidad de las interacciones cuidador-bebé y el desarrollo neurológico de los bebés que viven en comunidades bananeras en las zonas rurales de Costa Rica caracterizadas por tener exposiciones tóxicas ambientales. Se realizaron visitas domiciliarias a 94 díadas de cuidadores-lactantes del Estudio de Salud Ambiental Infantil (ISA), residentes en el condado de Matina, provincia de Limón. Los resultados del desarrollo neurológico infantil de un año se evaluaron utilizando las Escalas de Bayley de Desarrollo Infantil y Infantil®, Tercera Edición (Bayley-III). La calidad de la interacción entre el cuidador y el bebé se evaluó con una tarea de observación estandarizada: la escala de enseñanza de capacitación satelital de evaluación del niño en enfermería (NCATS) alrededor de los dos años de edad. Los análisis de regresión múltiple examinaron las asociaciones entre los componentes de las interacciones entre el cuidador y el bebé y los resultados del desarrollo neurológico, ajustando la exposición al mancozeb y al manganeso y otros posibles factores de confusión. En comparación con los datos normativos de NCATS para las madres hispanas de EE. UU., El 35% de la muestra tuvo puntuaciones generales de interacción con el cuidador ≤ un punto de corte del percentil 10, lo que indica interacciones menos que óptimas. La mayor calidad de la interacción entre el cuidador y el bebé se asoció con una mayor capacidad de comunicación expresiva en los bebés [ß = 0.03 (IC del 95%: 0.01, 0.06)], controlando la exposición a pesticidas y los factores de confusión. Los aspectos de la prestación de cuidados, como la estimulación y el fomento del crecimiento de los bebés, se asociaron más fuertemente con los resultados del lenguaje. Los resultados sugieren una asociación entre el cuidado positivo en el desarrollo del lenguaje de los bebés que viven en un área agrícola rural en Costa Rica y destacan aspectos del cuidado que podrían tener como objetivo mejorar la resiliencia de estos niños que viven en condiciones vulnerables. O cuidado precoce é uma das influências mais fortes no desenvolvimento das crianças e um dos fatores ambientais modificáveis ​​mais importantes. O objetivo deste estudo foi explorar a associação entre a qualidade das interações cuidador-bebê e o desenvolvimento neurológico de bebês que vivem em comunidades bananeiras em áreas rurais da Costa Rica caracterizadas por apresentarem exposições ambientais tóxicas. Foram realizadas visitas domiciliares a 94 díades infantis-cuidadores do Estudo de Saúde Ambiental Infantil (ISA), residentes no município de Matina, província de Limón. Os resultados do neurodesenvolvimento infantil em um ano foram avaliados usando as escalas Bayley of Infant and Toddler Development®, Terceira edição (Bayley-III). A qualidade da interação entre o cuidador e o bebê foi avaliada por meio de uma tarefa de observação padronizada: a Nursing Child Assessment Satellite Training Teaching Scale (NCATS) por volta dos dois anos de idade. As análises de regressão múltipla examinaram as associações entre os componentes das interações cuidador-bebê e os resultados do neurodesenvolvimento, ajustando para exposições a mancozebe e manganês e outros fatores de confusão em potencial. Em comparação com os dados normativos do NCATS para mães hispânicas nos Estados Unidos, 35% da amostra teve pontuações gerais de interação com o cuidador ≤ um ponto de corte do 10º percentil, indicando interações abaixo do ideal. A maior qualidade da interação cuidador-bebê foi associada a uma maior capacidade de comunicação expressiva em bebês [ß = 0,03 (IC 95%: 0,01, 0,06)], controlando a exposição a pesticidas e fatores de confusão. Aspectos de cuidado, como estimulação e promoção do crescimento de bebês, foram mais fortemente associados aos resultados de linguagem. Os resultados sugerem uma associação entre o cuidado positivo no desenvolvimento da linguagem de bebês que vivem em uma área rural agrícola na Costa Rica e destacam aspectos do cuidado que podem ter como objetivo melhorar a resiliência dessas crianças que vivem em condições de vulnerabilidade. York University, Canada Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica Federal University of Bahia, Brazil National Institute of Perinatology, Mexico University of California, United States Lund University, Sweden Instituto Regional de Estudios en Sustancias Tóxicas

Elevated manganese (Mn) in drinking water has been reported worldwide. While, naturally occurring Mn in groundwater is generally the major source, anthropogenic contamination by Mn-containing fungicides such as mancozeb may also occur. The main objective of this study was to examine factors associated with Mn and ethylenethiourea (ETU), a degradation product of mancozeb, in drinking water samples from villages situated near banana plantations with aerial spraying of mancozeb. Drinking water samples (n ¼ 126) were obtained from 124 homes of women participating in the Infants' Environmental Health Study (ISA, for its acronym in Spanish), living nearby large-scale banana plantations. Concentrations of Mn, iron (Fe), arsenic (As), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and ethylenethiourea (ETU), a degradation product of mancozeb, were measured in water samples. Only six percent of samples had detectable ETU concentrations (limit of detection (LOD) ¼ 0.15 mg/L), whereas 94% of the samples had detectable Mn (LOD ¼ 0.05 mg/L). Mn concentrations were higher than 100 and 500 mg/L in 22% and 7% of the samples, respectively. Mn was highest in samples from private and banana farm wells. Distance from a banana plantationwas inversely associated with Mn concentrations, with a 61.5% decrease (95% CI: 97.0, 26.0) in Mn concentrations for each km increase in distance. Mn concentrations in water transported with trucks from one village to another were almost 1000 times higher than Mn in water obtained from taps in houses supplied by the same well but not transported, indicating environmental Mn contamination. Elevated Mn in drinking water may be partly explained by aerial spraying of mancozeb; however, naturally occurring Mn in groundwater, and intensive agriculture may also contribute. Drinking water risk assessment for mancozeb should consider Mn as a health hazard. The findings of this study evidence the need for health-based World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on Mn in drinking water. En todo el mundo se ha informado de la presencia de elevados niveles de manganeso (Mn) en el agua potable. Mientras que, en la naturaleza El Mn en las aguas subterráneas es generalmente la principal fuente, la contaminación antropogénica por el Mn que contiene También pueden aparecer fungicidas como el mancozeb. El principal objetivo de este estudio fue examinar los factores asociado con el Mn y la etilenotiourea (ETU), un producto de la degradación del mancozeb, en el agua potable muestras de aldeas situadas cerca de plantaciones de plátanos con fumigación aérea de mancozeb. El agua potable muestras (n ¼ 126) se obtuvieron de 124 hogares de mujeres que participan en el programa de Estudio de la Salud (ISA), viviendo cerca de plantaciones de bananas a gran escala. Las concentraciones de Mn, hierro (Fe), arsénico (As), plomo (Pb), cadmio (Cd) y etilenotiourea (ETU), una degradación producto del mancozeb, se midieron en muestras de agua. Sólo el seis por ciento de las muestras tenían ETU detectable (límite de detección (LOD) ¼ 0,15 mg/L), mientras que el 94% de las muestras tenían Mn detectable (LOD ¼ 0.05 mg/L). Las concentraciones de Mn fueron superiores a 100 y 500 mg/L en el 22% y 7% de las muestras, respectivamente. El Mn fue más alto en muestras de pozos privados y de granjas bananeras. La distancia de una banana La plantación se asoció inversamente a las concentraciones de Mn, con una disminución del 61,5% (IC del 95%: 97,0, 26,0) en las concentraciones de Mn por cada km de aumento de la distancia. Las concentraciones de Mn en el agua transportada con los camiones de una aldea a otra eran casi 1000 veces más altos que el Mn en el agua obtenida de los grifos en casas abastecidas por el mismo pozo pero no transportadas, lo que indica una contaminación ambiental de Mn. El Mn elevado en el agua potable puede explicarse en parte por la pulverización aérea de mancozeb; sin embargo, El Mn natural en las aguas subterráneas y la agricultura intensiva también pueden contribuir. El agua potable La evaluación del riesgo del mancozeb debe considerar el Mn como un peligro para la salud. Los hallazgos de este estudio evidencian la necesidad de directrices de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) basadas en la salud sobre el Mn en el agua potable. Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal, Canada University of Montreal, CHUSJ Research Center, Canada Lund University, Lund, Sweden Universite du Quebec a Montreal, Pavillon des Sciences Instituto Regional de Estudios en Sustancias Tóxicas, Unviersidad Nacional, Costa Rica NSERC-Industrial Chair in Drinking Water, Department of Civil, Mining and Geological Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal, Canada Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Montreal, Canada Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University Centre de Recherche Interdisciplinaire sur la Biologie, la Santé, la Societe et l' Environnement (CINBIOSE), Universite du Quebec a Montreal

Background: Pyrethroid insecticides may affect children's behavior, but data from prospective studies are rare. We examined whether prenatal pyrethroid exposure was associated with behavioral probl...

Background:Organophosphate insecticides may affect children’s respiratory health, however, data are scarce. We examined whether prenatal and current chlorpyrifos and pyrethroid insecticide ex...

Background: Results from cross-sectional studies have shown excess manganese (Mn) may adversely affect children's neurodevelopment. However, data from prospective studies are limited. We examined w...

Programa Infantes y Salud Ambiental Programa ISA Infant´s Environmental Health Study Infant´s Environmental Health Program BACKGROUND: Although growing evidence suggests that early-life excess manganese (Mn) impairs neurodevelopment, data on the neurodevelopmental effects of mancozeb, a fungicide containing Mn, and its main metabolite ethylenethiourea (ETU) are limited. OBJECTIVE: We examined whether prenatal mancozeb exposure and excess Mn were associated with neurodevelopment in 355 1-y-old infants living near banana plantations with frequent aerial mancozeb spraying in Costa Rica. METHODS: We measured urinary ETU, hair Mn, and blood Mn concentrations in samples collected 1–3 times during pregnancy from mothers enrolled in the Infants’ Environmental Health (ISA) study. We then assessed neurodevelopment in their 1-y-old infants using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, 3rd edition (BSID-III). We estimated exposure–outcome associations using linear regression models adjusted for maternal education, parity, gestational age at birth, child age, Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment score, and location of neurodevelopmental assessment. RESULTS: Median (P25–P75) urinary ETU, hair Mn, and blood Mn measured during pregnancy were 3:3 lg=L (2.4–4.9; specific gravity–corrected), 1:7 lg=g (0.9–4.1), and 24:0 lg=L (20.3–28.0), respectively. Among girls, higher ETU was associated with lower social-emotional scores [b per 10-fold increase= −7:4 points (95% CI: −15:2, 0.4)], whereas higher hair Mn was associated with lower cognitive scores [−3:0 (−6:1, 0.1)]. Among boys, higher hair Mn was associated with lower social-emotional scores [−4:6 (−8:5, −0:8)]. We observed null associations for blood Mn, language, and motor outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that maternal exposure to mancozeb and excess Mn during pregnancy may have adverse and sex-specific effects on infant neurodevelopment. ANTECEDENTES: Aunque la evidencia creciente sugiere que el exceso de manganeso (Mn) en las primeras etapas de la vida afecta el desarrollo neurológico, los datos sobre los efectos del desarrollo neurológico de mancozeb, un fungicida que contiene Mn, y su principal metabolito etilentiourea (ETU) son limitados. OBJETIVO: Examinamos si la exposición prenatal a mancozeb y el exceso de Mn estaban asociados con el desarrollo neurológico en 355 bebés de 1 año que vivían cerca de plantaciones de banano con fumigación aérea frecuente de mancozeb en Costa Rica. MÉTODOS: Medimos las concentraciones de ETU urinaria, Mn en el cabello y Mn en sangre en muestras recolectadas de 1 a 3 veces durante el embarazo de madres inscritas en el estudio Infants ’Environmental Health (ISA). Luego evaluamos el desarrollo neurológico en sus bebés de 1 año utilizando las Escalas de Bayley para bebés y niños pequeños Desarrollo, 3ª edición (BSID-III). Estimamos las asociaciones exposición-resultado utilizando modelos de regresión lineal ajustados por educación materna, paridad, edad gestacional al nacer, edad del niño, observación en el hogar para medir el puntaje ambiental y ubicación de la evaluación del desarrollo neurológico. RESULTADOS: La ETU urinaria mediana (P25-P75), el Mn del cabello y el Mn en sangre medidos durante el embarazo fueron 3: 3 lg = L (2.4-4.9; gravedad específica corregida), 1: 7 lg = g (0.9-4.1), y 24: 0 lg = L (20,3-28,0), respectivamente. Entre las niñas, una ETU más alta se asoció con puntuaciones socioemocionales más bajas [b por aumento de 10 veces = −7: 4 puntos (IC del 95%: −15: 2, 0,4)], mientras que una mayor Mn de cabello se asoció con puntuaciones cognitivas más bajas [−3: 0 (−6: 1, 0,1)]. Entre los niños, una mayor cantidad de cabello Mn se asoció con puntuaciones socioemocionales más bajas [−4: 6 (−8: 5, −0: 8)]. Observamos asociaciones nulas para Mn en sangre, lenguaje y resultados motores. CONCLUSIONES: Nuestros hallazgos indican que la exposición materna al mancozeb y el exceso de Mn durante el embarazo pueden tener efectos adversos y específicos del sexo en el desarrollo neurológico infantil. Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnología y Telecomunicaciones (MICITT), Costa Rica International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canadá Health Canada, Canadá Swedish Research Council Formas, Suecia National Institutes of Health(NIH)/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), EE.UU Instituto Regional en Estudios en Sustancias Tóxicas

Objectives To examine the associations of inhalable grain dust exposure with respiratory health outcomes, rhinitis, and eczema reported by workers from rice, wheat, and maize storage facilities. Methods A cross-sectional study of 136 workers (73 operators and 63 administrative staff and other workers) from eight Costa Rican grain storage facilities was conducted in 2014-2015. Full-shift personal inhalable dust samples from all workers were collected. Study participants were administered a short version of the European Community Respiratory Health Survey questionnaire to identify symptoms of asthma, chronic bronchitis, rhinitis, and eczema. Associations between grain dust exposure and health outcomes were assessed using multivariable logistic and negative binomial regression models adjusted for age, smoking history, grain type, and presence of pets or farm animals in the home. Results The median inhalable grain dust concentration was 2.0 (25th to 75th percentile: 0.3-7.0) mg m-3. Higher concentrations of inhalable dust were associated with increased odds of (i) asthma symptoms or medication use [adjusted Odds ratio (ORa) per 10-fold increase in dust concentration 2.7; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.3-6.7]; (ii) a score of at least two out of five symptoms suggestive of asthma (ORa 1.2; 95% CI: 1.0-1.3); and (iii) eczema (ORa 3.6; 95% CI: 1.7-9.6). No associations of inhalable grain dust exposure with chronic bronchitis and rhinitis were observed. Conclusions High exposure to inhalable dust in Costa Rican grain storage facilities was associated to asthma symptoms and eczema in workers.

Programa Infantes y Salud Ambiental Programa ISA Infant´s Environmental Health Study Infant´s Environmental Health Program Background: Pesticides used in agriculture may expose populations living nearby. Costa Rica is a major bananaexporting country, its production depends on extensive pesticide use. Objectives: To evaluate environmental pesticide exposure, we measured levels of current-use pesticides in air and dust from 12 schools in Matina County, Costa Rica, with passive sampling methods. Methods: We selected ten proximal and two non-proximal schools and placed polyurethane foam passive air samplers outdoors at each school, during four consecutive periods. At three of these schools, we also placed an active air sampler during the first 24 h of each sampling period. We collected passive dust samples by placing a glass Petri Dish at the inside of each school. We subsequently performed a chemical analysis of 18 pesticides, using gas chromatography with mass detector. Results: With passive air samplers we detected ten different pesticides: two insecticides, two nematicides, and six fungicides, of which nine reported to be used on banana plantations. More than half of the samples contained at least five pesticides. Chlorpyrifos was detected most-frequently, in 98% of samples, followed by the nematicides etoprophos and the fungicide pyrimethanil that were both detected in 81% of samples. Chlorpyrifos concentrations were five times higher in proximal as compared to non-proximal schools: mean = 18.2 ng/m3 (range =6.1–36.1) and mean=3.5 ng/m3 (range=

This forum paper proposes a reflection on the "field of ecohealth" and on how best to sustain a supportive environment that enables the evolution of diverse partnerships and forms of collaboration in the field. It is based on the results of a preconference workshop held in October 2012, in Kunming, China at the fourth biennial conference of the International Association for Ecology and Health. Attended by 105 persons from 38 countries, this workshop aimed to have a large-group and encompassing discussion about ecohealth as an emerging field, touching on subjects such as actors, processes, structures, standards, and resources. Notes taken were used to conduct a qualitative thematic analysis combined with a semantic network analysis. Commonalities highlighted by these discussions draw a portrait of a field in which human health, complex systems thinking, action, and ecosystem health are considered central issues. The need to reach outside of academia to government and the general public was identified as a shared goal. A disconnect between participants' main concerns and what they perceived as the main concerns of funding agencies emerged as a primary roadblock for the future.

Programa Infantes y Salud Ambiental Programa ISA Infant´s Environmental Health Study Infant´s Environmental Health Program Background: Between 1992 and 2010 in the Costa Rican Caribbean, a social movement coalition called Foro Emau´s sought to change people’s view on problems of high pesticide use in banana production. Objective: To understand the formation and membership of Foro Emau´s, its success period, and its decline. Methods: Semi-structured interviews of 28 key actors; a questionnaire survey among school personnel (n5475) in Siquirres, Matina, and Talamanca counties; and secondary data from newspapers, leaflets, and movement documents were used. Results: Foro Emau´s developed activism around pesticide issues and put pressure on governmental agencies and banana companies and shaped people’s perception of pesticide risks. The success of the Foro Emau´s movement led to the reinforcement of a counteracting social movement (Solidarismo) by conservative sectors of the Catholic Church and the banana companies. We found that the participation of unions in Foro Emau´s is an early example of social movement unionism. Conclusions: Scientific pesticide risk analysis is not the only force that shapes emerging societal perceptions of pesticide risk. Social movements influence the priority given to particular risks and can be crucial in putting health and environmental risk issues on the political and research agenda. Antecedentes: Entre 1992 y 2010 en el Caribe costarricense, una coalición de movimientos sociales llamada Foro Emau's buscó cambiar la visión de la gente sobre los problemas del alto uso de pesticidas en la producción bananera. Objetivo: Comprender la formación y membresía del Foro Emau, su período de éxito y su declive. Métodos: entrevistas semiestructuradas de 28 actores clave; una encuesta por cuestionario entre el personal escolar (n5475) en los condados de Siquirres, Matina y Talamanca; y se utilizaron datos secundarios de periódicos, folletos y documentos de movimiento. Resultados: Foro Emau desarrolló el activismo en torno a los problemas de los pesticidas y presionó a las agencias gubernamentales y las empresas bananeras y moldeó la percepción de la gente sobre los riesgos de los pesticidas. El éxito del movimiento del Foro Emau condujo al fortalecimiento de un movimiento social de contraataque (Solidarismo) por parte de sectores conservadores de la Iglesia Católica y las empresas bananeras. Descubrimos que la participación de los sindicatos en el Foro Emau es un ejemplo temprano del sindicalismo del movimiento social. Conclusiones: El análisis científico del riesgo de los plaguicidas no es la única fuerza que da forma a las percepciones sociales emergentes del riesgo de los plaguicidas. Los movimientos sociales influyen en la prioridad que se le da a riesgos particulares y pueden ser cruciales para colocar los problemas de salud y riesgos ambientales en la agenda política y de investigación. Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica Wageningen School for Social Sciences (WASS, CERES-CEPIP fund), Holanda International Development Research Center (IDRC), Canadá Instituto Regional de Estudios en Sustancias Tóxicas

Introduction: At banana plantations, weekly aerial applications of mancozeb, a ethylene bisdithiocarbamate (EBDC) fungicide, are performed to protect bananas from Sigatoka disease. This study aims ...

Background and Aims: In Costa Rica, pesticide use at large-scale banana plantations includes permanent use of chlorpyrifos-impregnated bags and weekly aerial spraying of mancozeb, an ethylene bisdi...

Background and aims: Mancozeb is the most widely used pesticide in banana plantations in Costa Rica. Recent studies suggest that mancozeb use potentially exposes agricultural workers and their fami...

This study assessed pesticide exposure of children in rural Nicaragua in relation to parental pesticide use, from around conception to current school age, as part of an epidemiological evaluation of neurodevelopment effects.We included 132 children whose parents were subsistence farmers or plantation workers, or had an agricultural history. As proxies for children's long-term exposures, we constructed cumulative parental pesticide-specific use indices for periods before and after the child's birth from data obtained using an icon-calendar-based questionnaire, of application hours (h) for plantation workers and subsistence farmers, and of kilograms of active ingredients (ai) only for subsistence farmers. Pesticide residues of TCPY, 3-PBA and 2,4-D were analysed in children's urine as indicators for current exposures.Life-time indices were highest for the organophosphates chlorpyrifos (median 114 h (min 2; max 1584), 19.2 kg ai (min 0.37; max 548)) and methamidophos (84 h (6; 1964), 12.2 kg ai (0.30; 780)). The P50 values of children's urinary residues were 3.7 μg/g creatinine for TCPY, 2.8 for 3-PBA and 0.9 for 2,4-D; TCPY values are comparable with those in other countries, but 3-PBA and 2,4-D are considerably higher. The maximum levels for all three pesticides are the highest reported for children. Residues increased on days after application, but most high residue levels were unrelated to parental pesticide applications.Urinary pesticide residues reveal high environmental exposure among children in rural Nicaragua. The quantitative parental pesticide use indices as proxies for children's exposures during different periods may be useful for the evaluation of developmental health effects.

Summary Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) is a compound with moderate toxicity that is judged to be safe for occupational use, although little is known about its long-term effects on the human nervous system. We investigated chronic nervoussystem effects of long-term occupational exposure to DDT by comparing the neurobehavioural performance of retired malaria-control workers with a reference group of retired guards and drivers. DDT-exposed workers did worse on tests assessing various neurobehavioural functions than controls; performance significantly deteriorated with increasing years of DDT application. Our results could not be explained by exposure to cholinesterase-inhibiting pesticides or other potential confounding factors.

Within the workplace, there is less reliance on engineering controls for dermal exposure protection and more reliance on the worker's motivation and training in use of personal protective equipment. Behavior thus becomes a significant determinant of dermal exposure, and its assessment paramount in examining and understanding factors influencing exposure. The main objectives of this study were to: (i) assess worker knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions (KAP) of workplace dermal hazards using a self-complete questionnaire and to examine KAP associations with behavior and exposure; (ii) compare worker and manager scores to identify potential gaps in KAP between the two groups; (iii) utilize a semiquantitative observational DeRmal Exposure Assessment Methodology (DREAM) to evaluate worker dermal exposure; and (iv) identify potential behavioral factors underlying exposure using DREAM and KAP. Nineteen industries across the Baltimore, Md. and Lancaster, Pa., regions participated in the study including a total of 89 workers and 17 managers. The scales within the KAP questionnaire that served as the outcome measure included knowledge, training, behavior, behavior beliefs, information beliefs, self-efficacy, and overall beliefs. DREAM scores ranged from 0.15 to 545 with a median of 8 and a mean (SD) of 22 (62.5). Whereas worker self-efficacy with respect to PPE use, and the group "workers with 10-20 years of experience" were marginally positively associated with protective behavior (p0.08 and p0.06, respectively), a question related to barriers to PPE use was negatively associated with precautionary behavior (p0.01). Dermal exposure was positively associated with workers in the age group 40-49 years as compared with those less than 40 years of age (OR = 4.86, 95% CI = 0.93, 25.62). There were no statistically significant associations between KAP and DREAM. This is one of the first studies to begin to elucidate worker knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions that underlie behaviors that lead to occupational dermal exposures. Results of the KAP questionnaire can inform strategies to improve awareness and protective practices in the workplace through factors such as increased worker dermal hazard knowledge, well-informed company PPE selection and availability, and improved worker training.

Background Early caregiving is one of the strongest influences on children's development, yet it has not been studied in the context of prenatal neurotoxin exposure. Epigenetic studies show that maternal nurturing promotes positive development in young rats who experienced prenatal environmental adversity. We explore the quality of caregiver-infant interactions in infants with prenatal pesticide exposure in banana-growing areas in rural Costa Rica. Methods Home visits were conducted during field trips in October, 2012, and April, 2013, with a random subsample of 94 caregiver-infant dyads, living within Matina county, Limon province. Quality of caregiver-infant interaction was assessed with a standardised task of parent-child interaction (Nursing Child Assessment Satellite Training [NCAST]), which was piloted in the study population before its use. Interactions were videotaped and coded by two trained raters. Results were compared with the NCAST normative sample of US-Hispanic mothers. Findings Primary caregivers were on average 27·9 years of age (SD 10·2) and 88% of the caregivers were biological mothers. The mean age of children at time of assessment was 21·2 months (SD 3·5) and 60% were male. Compared with US-Hispanic mothers, 35% of our sample showed overall interaction scores at or below the 10th percentile cut-off score, indicating less than optimum interactions. Interpretation This description of caregiving behaviours in a high-risk sample of infants with prenatal pesticide exposure, along with ongoing analyses examining associations between caregiving and infant neurodevelopmental outcomes, have important implications for early intervention work with this population and with other populations having environmental and concomitant risks. Funding York University and the Lillian Wright Foundation.