Munoz Felipe, Aedo-Sanchez Cristian, Paredes-Aravena Felipe, Aguilar-Vidal Enzo, Jilberto-Vergara Pedro, Terreros Gonzalo
Laboratorio de Neurociencia Sensorial Perceptual y Cognitiva, Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de O'Higgins, Rancagua 2820000, Chile.
Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias e Ingeniería para la Salud, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2520000, Chile.
Toxics. 2025 May 6;13(5):375. doi: 10.3390/toxics13050375.
Pesticide exposure poses a significant health risk, with emerging evidence suggesting its impact on auditory function. This study investigated the effects of pesticide exposure on hearing in young rural residents living near agricultural areas in Chile's O'Higgins Region. We evaluated 51 participants (31 exposed, 20 unexposed) aged 18-35 years, using comprehensive audiological assessments including high-frequency audiometry, distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs), and auditory brainstem responses (ABR). Participants were classified based on residential proximity to agricultural areas, with exposed individuals living around 400 m or less from monoculture fields. Results revealed significant differences in high-frequency hearing thresholds (14 and 16 kHz) in exposed individuals. The exposed group showed a higher number of absent DPOAEs and reduced ABR wave V amplitude in the right ear compared to the unexposed group. Additionally, the wave V/I ratio was significantly lower in exposed individuals. These findings suggest that pesticide exposure, even without direct occupational contact, may induce measurable changes in auditory function, particularly affecting high-frequency hearing and neural responses. These results emphasize the need for enhanced monitoring and protective measures for populations residing near agricultural areas where pesticides are extensively used.
接触农药会带来重大的健康风险,新出现的证据表明其对听觉功能有影响。本研究调查了智利奥希金斯地区农业区附近年轻农村居民接触农药对听力的影响。我们对51名年龄在18至35岁之间的参与者(31名接触农药者,20名未接触农药者)进行了评估,采用了包括高频听力测定、畸变产物耳声发射(DPOAE)和听觉脑干反应(ABR)在内的全面听力学评估。参与者根据居住地点与农业区的距离进行分类,接触农药者居住在距单一作物种植田约400米或更近的地方。结果显示,接触农药者在高频听力阈值(14千赫和16千赫)方面存在显著差异。与未接触农药组相比,接触农药组的DPOAE缺失数量更多,右耳的ABR波V振幅降低。此外,接触农药者的波V/I比值显著更低。这些发现表明,即使没有直接的职业接触,接触农药也可能导致听觉功能出现可测量的变化,尤其会影响高频听力和神经反应。这些结果强调了对居住在广泛使用农药的农业区附近人群加强监测和采取保护措施的必要性。