Department of Physical & Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Center for One Health, University of Global Health Equity, Butaro, Rwanda.
J Glob Health. 2024 Oct 11;14:04064. doi: 10.7189/jogh.14.04064.
The rapid expansion of the cut flower industry in Africa has led to pervasive use and potential exposure of pesticides, raising concerns for local communities. Whether the risks associated with pesticide applications are localised or have broader implications remains unclear.
We measured biomarkers of real and perceived pesticide exposure in two Kenyan communities: Naivasha, where the cut flower industry is present, and Mogotio, where the cut flower industry is absent. We measured real exposure by the percentage of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition and perceived exposure by assessing hair cortisol levels, a biomarker of stress. Additionally, we conducted a demographic survey to evaluate the health and socioeconomic status of participants, as well as their perceptions of pesticide risks associated with the cut flower industry.
Perceived pesticide exposure was more common in Naivasha (n = 36, 56%) compared to Mogotio (n = 0, 0%), according to community surveys. However, Mogotio residents had significantly higher mean hair cortisol levels (mean (x̄) = 790 ng/g, standard deviation (SD) = 233) and percentage of AChE inhibition (x̄ = 28.5%, SD = 7.3) compared to Naivasha residents, who had lower mean hair cortisol levels (x̄ = 548 ng/g, SD = 187) and percentage of AChE inhibition (x̄ = 14.5%, SD = 10.1). Location (proximity to cut flower farms) and gender were significant factors influencing pesticide exposure, with individuals living outside the cut flower industrial complexes being at higher risk. Women in both communities were the most vulnerable demographic, showing significantly higher mean hair cortisol levels (x̄ = 646 ng/g, SD = 267.4) and percentage of AChE inhibition (x̄ = 22.5%, SD = 12.4) compared to men hair cortisol levels (x̄ = 558.2 ng/g, SD = 208.2) and percentage of AChE inhibition (x̄ = 10.4%, SD = 13.1).
A heightened awareness of the potential risks of pesticide exposure was widespread within cut flower industrial complexes. This may have led to a reduction in exposure of both workers and non-workers living within or close to these complexes. In contrast, communities living outside these complexes showed higher levels of exposure, possibly due to limited chemical awareness and a lack of precautionary measures. Despite this contrast between communities, women remained the most vulnerable members, likely due to their socioeconomic roles in African society. Monitoring women's pesticide exposure is crucial for providing an early warning system for community exposure.
非洲切花产业的迅速扩张导致了农药的广泛使用和潜在暴露，引发了当地社区的担忧。目前尚不清楚与农药应用相关的风险是局部的还是具有更广泛的影响。
我们在肯尼亚的两个社区（内瓦沙，那里有切花产业，以及莫戈蒂奥，那里没有切花产业）测量了真实和感知的农药暴露的生物标志物。我们通过乙酰胆碱酯酶（AChE）抑制的百分比来衡量真实暴露，通过评估头发皮质醇水平（一种应激生物标志物）来衡量感知暴露。此外，我们进行了一项人口统计调查，以评估参与者的健康和社会经济状况，以及他们对与切花产业相关的农药风险的看法。
根据社区调查，与莫戈蒂奥（n=0，0%）相比，内瓦沙（n=36，56%）的人更普遍认为自己接触过农药。然而，莫戈蒂奥居民的头发皮质醇水平（均数（x̄）=790ng/g，标准差（SD）=233）和 AChE 抑制率（x̄=28.5%，SD=7.3）显著高于内瓦沙居民，后者的头发皮质醇水平（x̄=548ng/g，SD=187）和 AChE 抑制率（x̄=14.5%，SD=10.1）较低。位置（靠近切花农场）和性别是影响农药暴露的重要因素，居住在切花产业综合体之外的人面临更高的风险。两个社区的女性都是最脆弱的群体，她们的头发皮质醇水平（x̄=646ng/g，SD=267.4）和 AChE 抑制率（x̄=22.5%，SD=12.4）显著高于男性（x̄=558.2ng/g，SD=208.2）和 AChE 抑制率（x̄=10.4%，SD=13.1）。
人们普遍意识到接触农药的潜在风险，这可能导致在这些综合体内部或附近工作或不工作的人的接触减少。相比之下，居住在这些综合体之外的社区则表现出更高的接触水平，这可能是由于化学知识有限和缺乏预防措施所致。尽管社区之间存在这种差异，但女性仍然是最脆弱的群体，这可能是由于她们在非洲社会中的社会经济角色所致。监测妇女的农药接触情况对于建立社区接触的早期预警系统至关重要。
