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The health effects of pesticides have been extensively studied in epidemiology, mainly in agricultural populations. However, pesticide exposure assessment remains a key methodological issue for epidemiological studies. Besides self-reported information, expert assessment or metrology, job-exposure matrices still appear to be an interesting tool. We reviewed all existing matrices assessing occupational exposure to pesticides in epidemiological studies and described the exposure parameters they included. We identified two types of matrices, (i) generic ones that are generally used in case–control studies and document broad categories of pesticides in a large range of jobs, and (ii) specific matrices, developed for use in agricultural cohorts, that generally provide exposure metrics at the active ingredient level. The various applications of these matrices in epidemiological studies have proven that they are valuable tools to assess pesticide exposure. Specific matrices are particularly promising for use in agricultural cohorts. However, results obtained with matrices have rarely been compared with those obtained with other tools. In addition, the external validity of the given estimates has not been adequately discussed. Yet, matrices would help in reducing misclassification and in quantifying cumulated exposures, to improve knowledge about the chronic health effects of pesticides.

Background The etiology of the central nervous system (CNS) tumors remains largely unknown. The role of pesticide exposure has been suggested by several epidemiological studies, but with no definitive conclusion. Objective To analyze associations between occupational pesticide exposure and primary CNS tumors in adults in the CERENAT study. Methods CERENAT is a multicenter case–control study conducted in France in 2004–2006. Data about occupational pesticide uses—in and outside agriculture—were collected during detailed face-to-face interviews and reviewed by experts for consistency and exposure assignment. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated with conditional logistic regression. Results A total of 596 cases (273 gliomas, 218 meningiomas, 105 others) and 1 192 age- and sex-matched controls selected in the general population were analyzed. Direct and indirect exposures to pesticides in agriculture were respectively assigned to 125 (7.0%) and 629 (35.2%) individuals and exposure outside agriculture to 146 (8.2%) individuals. For overall agricultural exposure, we observed no increase in risk for all brain tumors (OR 1.04, 0.69–1.57) and a slight increase for gliomas (OR 1.37, 0.79–2.39). Risks for gliomas were higher when considering agricultural exposure for more than 10 years (OR 2.22, 0.94–5.24) and significantly trebled in open field agriculture (OR 3.58, 1.20–10.70). Increases in risk were also observed in non-agricultural exposures, especially in green space workers who were directly exposed (OR 1.89, 0.82–4.39), and these were statistically significant for those exposed for over 10 years (OR 2.84, 1.15–6.99). Discussion These data support some previous findings regarding the potential role of occupational exposures to pesticides in CNS tumors, both inside and outside agriculture.

Pesticide exposure assessment is a key methodological issue for epidemiological studies. The history of pesticide has proven difficult to obtain from individuals' report because of the wide range of active ingredients (AIs). We developed a crop-exposure matrix, which intends to reconstitute parameters of pesticide exposure in France since 1950. PESTIMAT is composed of tables crossing crops and AIs by year and providing the following metrics: (1) probability (proportion of farmers having used the AIs); (2) frequency (number of treatment days); and (3) intensity (application rate of the AIs in kg/ha). Metrics were obtained by the combination of six sources: (i) registration information from the Agriculture Ministry; (ii) information from agricultural bodies on products marketed; (iii) agricultural recommendations by the Plant Health Protection body; (iv) treatment calendars provided by farmers; (v) data from associations of farmers; and (vi) data from the industry. To date, 529 AIs usable between 1950 and 2010 are included in PESTIMAT: 160 fungicides; 160 herbicides; and 209 insecticides. When combined with duration and determinants of intensity, the metrics in PESTIMAT will make it possible to calculate exposure scores and to search for dose-effect relationships, an important criterion for causality judgment in epidemiology.

Exposure assessment is a critical point for epidemiological studies on pesticide health effects. PESTEXPO study provides data on levels of exposure and their determinants in real conditions of pesticide use. We described levels of exposure in vineyards during treatment tasks (mixing, spraying and cleaning) and we analysed their determinants. Sixty-seven operators using dithiocarbamates or folpet were observed. Detailed information on the tasks (general conditions, operator, farm and equipment characteristics) were collected and dermal contamination was measured, using patches placed onto the skin on eleven body parts, and washing the hands at the end of each phase. The spraying phase represented roughly half of the contamination, whereas mixing and equipment cleaning accounted for 30% and 20% of the contamination, respectively. The main determinants of exposure were the number of phases, the characteristics of the equipment, the educational level of the operator and his status (farm -worker or -owner) and the general characteristics of the vines. Algorithms were built to estimate daily external contamination, according to these characteristics during mixing, spraying or equipment cleaning. With additional information of frequency and duration of use, they will enable to develop exposure indices usable in epidemiological studies on farmers’ health.

Background and Objective. Environmental factors are an increasing concern for respiratory health in developing countries. The objective of this study was to investigate whether Nigerien people living in cultivated areas have more respiratory symptoms than those living in pastoral areas. Method. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2013 in two populations during the rainy season when land is cultivated. Environmental factors including pesticide use and respiratory symptoms were collected in adults and children during face-to-face interviews. Multivariate analysis between exposures and symptoms was performed in children and in adults separately. Results. The study included 471 adults and 229 children. Overall, none of the households reported the use of pesticides for agricultural purposes. However, 87.2% reported the use of insecticides at home. Multivariate analysis showed that people living in agricultural areas compared to those in pastoral areas had an increased risk of respiratory symptoms in adults (wheezing, dyspnea, sudden shortness of breath, and cough without fever) and in children (cough without fever). The use of insecticides showed no effect on respiratory symptoms after adjustment. Conclusion. This first epidemiological study on the environment and respiratory health conducted in Niger demonstrates a significant relationship between respiratory manifestations and the agricultural characteristics of the living area. However only the effect of insecticides in the home on respiratory health was observed.

The purpose of the study was to assess non-dietary exposure of workers and the general population in the Paris area to some organophosphorus (OP) pesticides. In total, 21 workers from different occupational places (two greenhouses, three florist shops and three veterinary departments) and 20 subjects assumed to be non-occupationally exposed were recruited. Indoor air, hand wipes, and three first morning urine samples were collected. Seven OPs were measured by GC/ECD and GC/TSD, and six urinary dialkylphosphate metabolites by GC/PFPD. All indoor air samples from the workplaces and only one-third of the samples from the residences contained at least one of the seven OPs. However, almost all participants were dermally exposed to OPs. Total OP indoor air and cutaneous levels were significantly higher for workers than for the general population (air median=185 pmol/m 3 versus nondetectable, P <0.0001; hands median=1250 pmol/hands versus 475 pmol/hands, P =0.03). From the air, gardeners and florists were mainly exposed to methyl-OPs and veterinary staff to ethyl-OPs (mainly diazinon). From their hands, all subjects were exposed to methyl-OPs, with gardeners and florists exposed to somewhat but not significantly higher levels. Ethyl-OPs were more found frequently and at higher levels on the hands of veterinary workers. Total OP levels in indoor air and from hand wipes were significantly correlated (Spearman R=0.34, P= 0.03). DAP detection frequencies and levels were not different between workers and the general population (workers median=168 nmol/g creat and general population median=241 nmol/g creat, P =0.31), and did not correlate with air or hand levels. Subjects not occupationally exposed showed significant residential exposure to OPs, more frequently from their hands than from the air. Different occupations were associated with different exposure profiles and levels. The lack of differences in DAP levels between the different groups of exposure suggests that dietary exposure to OP residues and exposure to other OPs are involved.

The carcinogenic effect of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields in humans remains controversial. However, it has been suggested that they could be involved in the aetiology of some types of brain tumours. Objectives The objective was to analyse the association between mobile phone exposure and primary central nervous system tumours (gliomas and meningiomas) in adults. Methods CERENAT is a multicenter case-control study carried out in four areas in France in 2004–2006. Data about mobile phone use were collected through a detailed questionnaire delivered in a face-to-face manner. Conditional logistic regression for matched sets was used to estimate adjusted ORs and 95% CIs. Results A total of 253 gliomas, 194 meningiomas and 892 matched controls selected from the local electoral rolls were analysed. No association with brain tumours was observed when comparing regular mobile phone users with non-users (OR=1.24; 95% CI 0.86 to 1.77 for gliomas, OR=0.90; 95% CI 0.61 to 1.34 for meningiomas). However, the positive association was statistically significant in the heaviest users when considering life-long cumulative duration (≥896 h, OR=2.89; 95% CI 1.41 to 5.93 for gliomas; OR=2.57; 95% CI 1.02 to 6.44 for meningiomas) and number of calls for gliomas (≥18 360 calls, OR=2.10, 95% CI 1.03 to 4.31). Risks were higher for gliomas, temporal tumours, occupational and urban mobile phone use. Conclusions These additional data support previous findings concerning a possible association between heavy mobile phone use and brain tumours.

BackgroundA Job-Exposure-Matrix (JEM) for occupational exposure to radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic field (EMF) was previously developed based on source measurements and not on personal measurement data. In the framework of an international study aimed at validating and enriching the JEM, we conducted a pilot study of personal measurements of occupational exposure to RF fields in a rehabilitation department of a Spanish hospital among various groups of workers in order to develop a protocol for the main field study in three countries.MethodsWe previously identified and prioritized the types of occupations to be measured based on their presumed levels of exposure to RF fields from the RF-JEM and based on expert judgment. A screening questionnaire was used to identify potential participants, based on their job titles and reported sources of RF exposure. Consequently, personal full-shift measurements were collected. In addition, a worker’s dairy collecting information on occupational-specific sources of RF used during the measurement day, the use of personal mobile phones and general occupational data was filled in by every participant at the end of the shift.ResultsA total of 16 workers (cleaning staff, receptionists and physiotherapists) participated in the Spanish pilot test. Overall geometric and arithmetic personal exposure levels were low; however, peaks of exposure to electric (>125 V/m) and magnetic fields (>0,55 A/m) exceeding the ICNIRP 1998 occupational standards at the frequency of 27,12 MHz were observed for a small number of participants, though peak duration was brief and their frequency scarce.ConclusionWe performed personal measurements of RF occupational exposure in a pilot study within the framework of an international study. Measurements will be performed across a wide range of occupations in Spain, France and the Netherlands and will be used to update and enhance an existing RF-JEM to be use in occupational epidemiological research.

ObjectivesPrenatal occupational exposure to pesticides has been associated with male reproductive tract abnormalities. Little is known about the possible impact of non-occupational pesticide exposure on fetal and child development in the general population. Using data from a nationwide birth cohort, we aimed to assess the association between residential sources of prenatal pesticide exposure and the risks of hypospadias and cryptorchidism.MethodsOf the 9281 boys in ELFE (French Longitudinal Study of Children), the national French birth cohort, 53 were diagnosed with hypospadias and 137 with cryptorchidism. We assessed residential exposure sources from self-reported domestic use of eight types of pesticide products and French spatial land use data with acreage within a 1000 m radius around each family’s home for 21 crop types. We used logistic regression modelling, adjusted for possible confounders that included estimated dietary pesticide intake. Multiple imputations were used to handle missing data.ResultsAn increased risk of hypospadias was associated with domestic pesticide use against fleas and ticks (OR=2.28, 95% CI 1.09 to 4.75); no associations were found between cryptorchidism and any domestic pesticide use. Slightly increased risks of cryptorchidism were observed in association with all crop acreages near homes during pregnancy, especially for orchards, and no association was observed for hypospadias.ConclusionsOur results suggest a possible increased risk of hypospadias associated with prenatal use of some domestic pesticide products, likely to contain insecticides, and of cryptorchidism with nearby orchard acreage (crops repeatedly sprayed with pesticides). This work is limited by its modest number of cases.

Background: To date, the etiology of primary tumors of the central nervous system (mainly gliomas and meningiomas) is poorly understood. The role of sex hormones has been suggested, based on clinical, experimental, biological, and epidemiological data. Objective: To review the epidemiological studies on the relation between hormonal factors and the occurrence of glioma and meningioma, in order to identify new research developments. Methods: Articles published until September 2010 were selected by considering exogenous and endogenous exposures and specific brain tumors. Standardized information was collected from 20 articles: 15 concerning gliomas and 13 meningiomas. Results: An increased glioma risk was observed with later menarche and menopause, while a reduced glioma risk was observed with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and oral contraceptive use, despite duration of use had no effect on risk. Meningioma risk increased after menopause and with HRT use. No clear association was found with pregnancy and breastfeeding. Conclusion: Results are globally concordant with the biologic hypothesis assuming that female sex hormones are protective against glioma and may increase the risk of meningioma. However, new epidemiological studies should be conducted in order to confirm these associations and to refine the role of hormonal factors in brain etiology.