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Postnatal pesticide exposure and behavioural outcomes in children and adolescents: findings from South Africa

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Titel: Postnatal pesticide exposure and behavioural outcomes in children and adolescents: findings from South Africa
Autoren: Viglietti, Paola Gabriela, Jäggi, Lena, Wey, Hannah, Petitpierre, Anouk, Lindh, Christian, Rousseau, Kim Louise, Donnell, Jade Mac, Röösli, Martin, Malcolm-Smith, Susan, Dalvie, Mohamed Aqiel, Fuhrimann, Samuel
Weitere Verfasser: Lund University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, Applied Mass Spectrometry in Environmental Medicine, Lunds universitet, Medicinska fakulteten, Institutionen för laboratoriemedicin, Avdelningen för arbets- och miljömedicin, Tillämpad masspektrometri inom miljömedicin, Originator, Lund University, Profile areas and other strong research environments, Strategic research areas (SRA), EpiHealth: Epidemiology for Health, Lunds universitet, Profilområden och andra starka forskningsmiljöer, Strategiska forskningsområden (SFO), EpiHealth: Epidemiology for Health, Originator
Quelle: Science of the Total Environment. 1004:1-12
Schlagwörter: Medical and Health Sciences, Health Sciences, Occupational Health and Environmental Health, Medicin och hälsovetenskap, Hälsovetenskap, Arbetsmedicin och miljömedicin
Beschreibung: Introduction: Postnatal pesticide exposure and its association with child and adolescent behavioural outcomes remain underexplored in rural agricultural settings, particularly in Africa. This study examined behavioural outcomes in relation to urinary pesticide biomarkers and contextual exposure proxies in participants from the Child health Agricultural Pesticide (CapSA) cohort, South Africa. Methods: Data from 434 children (mean age at endline: 13.10, SD: 1.36; 55.53 % male) were analysed. Behavioural functioning was assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), focusing on total difficulties, internalising, and externalising scores. Thirteen urinary pesticide biomarkers—including insecticides (organophosphates, pyrethroids), herbicides, and fungicides—were quantified from spot urine samples collected in 2017 and 2019. Biomarkers were averaged across waves, adjusted for specific gravity, and log₁₀-transformed. Multiple linear regression models assessed associations between SDQ outcomes and two predictor sets: urinary biomarker levels and contextual exposure proxies (agricultural area and farm residence). Models were adjusted for child, maternal, and household factors. Results: Most biomarkers were detected in >50 % of samples; TCPy, OH-TEB, ETU, and 2,4-D were nearly ubiquitous. No significant associations were observed between urinary biomarkers and SDQ outcomes. In contrast, contextual exposure proxies were significant predictors: children living in Hex River and non-farm residents showed lower SDQ difficulties scores. Behavioural difficulties were higher among participants whose mothers had less education and who were exposed to alcohol or pesticides during gestation. Conclusions: While urinary pesticide biomarkers were not associated with SDQ outcomes, farm residence, agricultural area, and socio-demographic factors were. Findings underscore the need for longitudinal, context-sensitive research integrating social and environmental exposures.
Zugangs-URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.180782
Datenbank: SwePub
Beschreibung
Abstract:Introduction: Postnatal pesticide exposure and its association with child and adolescent behavioural outcomes remain underexplored in rural agricultural settings, particularly in Africa. This study examined behavioural outcomes in relation to urinary pesticide biomarkers and contextual exposure proxies in participants from the Child health Agricultural Pesticide (CapSA) cohort, South Africa. Methods: Data from 434 children (mean age at endline: 13.10, SD: 1.36; 55.53 % male) were analysed. Behavioural functioning was assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), focusing on total difficulties, internalising, and externalising scores. Thirteen urinary pesticide biomarkers—including insecticides (organophosphates, pyrethroids), herbicides, and fungicides—were quantified from spot urine samples collected in 2017 and 2019. Biomarkers were averaged across waves, adjusted for specific gravity, and log₁₀-transformed. Multiple linear regression models assessed associations between SDQ outcomes and two predictor sets: urinary biomarker levels and contextual exposure proxies (agricultural area and farm residence). Models were adjusted for child, maternal, and household factors. Results: Most biomarkers were detected in >50 % of samples; TCPy, OH-TEB, ETU, and 2,4-D were nearly ubiquitous. No significant associations were observed between urinary biomarkers and SDQ outcomes. In contrast, contextual exposure proxies were significant predictors: children living in Hex River and non-farm residents showed lower SDQ difficulties scores. Behavioural difficulties were higher among participants whose mothers had less education and who were exposed to alcohol or pesticides during gestation. Conclusions: While urinary pesticide biomarkers were not associated with SDQ outcomes, farm residence, agricultural area, and socio-demographic factors were. Findings underscore the need for longitudinal, context-sensitive research integrating social and environmental exposures.
ISSN:00489697
DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.180782