Agricultural pesticide use and hypospadias in eastern Arkansas.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

We assessed the relationship between hypospadias and proximity to agricultural pesticide applications using a GIS-based exposure method.

METHODS:

We obtained information for 354 cases of hypospadias born between 1998 and 2002 in eastern Arkansas; 727 controls were selected from birth certificates. We classified exposure on pounds of pesticides (estimated by crop type) applied or persisting within 500 m of each subject's home during gestational weeks 6 to 16. We restricted our analyses to 38 pesticides with some evidence of reproductive, developmental, estrogenic, and/or antiandrogenic effects. We estimated timing of pesticide applications using crop phenology and published records.

RESULTS:

Gestational age at birth [odds ratio (OR) = 0.91; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.83-0.99], parity (OR = 0.79; 95% CI, 0.65-0.95), and delaying prenatal care until the third trimester (OR = 4.04; 95% CI, 1.46-11.23) were significantly associated with hypospadias. Risk of hypospadias increased by 8% for every 0.05-pound increase in estimated exposure to diclofop-methyl use (OR = 1.08; 95% CI, 1.01-1.15). Pesticide applications in aggregate (OR = 0.82; 95% CI, 0.70-0.96) and applications of alachlor (OR = 0.56; 95% CI, 0.35-0.89) and permethrin (OR = 0.37; 95% CI, 0.16-0.86) were negatively associated with hypospadias.

CONCLUSIONS:

Except for diclofop-methyl, we did not find evidence that estimated exposure to pesticides known to have reproductive, developmental, or endocrine-disrupting effects increases risk of hypospadias. Further research on the potential effects of exposure to diclofop-methyl is recommended.

• Authors: Kristy J Meyer, John S Reif, D N Rao Veeramachaneni, Thomas J Luben, Bridget S Mosley, John R Nuckols
• Journal: Environmental health perspectives (Environ Health Perspect) Vol. 114 Issue 10 Pg. 1589-95 (Oct 2006) ISSN: 0091-6765 [Print] United States
• PMID: 17035148 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Pesticides

Topics

• Agricultural Workers' Diseases (chemically induced)
• Arkansas
• Humans
• Hypospadias (chemically induced)
• Male
• Pesticides (toxicity)