Artículos científicos

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Advanced Parental Age as Risk Factor for Childhood Acute Iymphoblastic Leukemia: Results From Studies of The Childhood Leukemia International Consortium
(Revista Europea de Epidemiología, 2018-08-01) Petridou, Eleni Th; Georgakis, Marios K; Magnani, Corrado; Metayer, Catherine; Roman, Eve; Mueller, Beth; Ma, Xiaomei; Erdmann, Friederike; Dockerty, John; Mora, Ana Maria; Scheurer, Michael; Ezzat, Sameera; Pombo-de-Oliveira, Maria S.; Hansen, Johnni; Rashed, Wafaa; Kane, Eleanor; Doody, David; Wang, Rong; Kang, Alice Y; Skalkidou, Alkistis; Infante Rivard, Claire; Schuz, Joachim; Dessypris, Nick; Mueller, Beth A; Spector, Logan G; Metayer, Catherine; Pombo-de-Oliveira, Maria S
Advanced parental age has been associated with adverse health effects in the offspring including childhood (0–14 years) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), as reported in our meta-analysis of published studies. We aimed to further explore the association using primary data from 16 studies participating in the Childhood Leukemia International Consortium. Data were contributed by 11 case-control (CC) studies (7919 cases and 12942 controls recruited via interviews) and five nested case-control (NCC) studies (8801 cases and 29690 controls identified through record linkage of population-based health registries) with variable enrollment periods (1968–2015). Five-year paternal and maternal age increments were introduced in two meta-analyses by study design using adjusted odds ratios (OR) derived from each study. Increased paternal age was associated with greater ALL risk in the offspring (ORCC:1.05, 95% CI:1.00–1.11; ORNCC:1.04, 95% CI:1.01–1.07). A similar positive association with advanced maternal age was observed only in the NCC results (ORCC:0.99, 95% CI:0.91–1.07, heterogeneity I2=58%, p=0.002; ORNCC:1.05, 95% CI:1.01–1.08). The positive association between parental age and risk of ALL was most marked among children aged 1–5 years and remained unchanged following mutual adjustment for the collinear effect of the paternal and maternal age variables; analyses of the relatively small numbers of discordant paternal-maternal age pairs were not fully enlightening. Our results strengthen the evidence that advanced parental age is associated with increased childhood ALL risk; collinearity of maternal with paternal age complicates causal interpretation. Employing datasets with cytogenetic information may further elucidate involvement of each parental component and clarify underlying mechanisms.
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Fatal Ischemic Heart Disease
(Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc., 2005-11-01) Burstyn, Igor; Kromhout, Hans; Kauppinen, Timo; Ahrens, Wolfgang; Langard, Sverre; Svane, Ole; Partanen, Timo; Ferro, Gilles; Heederik, Dick; Shahan, Judith; Stucker, Isabelle; Randem, Britt G.; Johansen, Cristoffer; Hooiveld, Mariette; Heikkila, Pirjo; Boffetta, Paolo
Several toxicologic and epidemiologic studies have produced evidence that occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) is a risk factor for ischemic heart disease (IHD). However, a clear exposure–response relation has not been demonstrated.We studied a relation between exposure to PAH and mortality from IHD (418 cases) in a cohort of 12,367 male asphalt workers from Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Israel, The Netherlands and Norway. The earliest follow up (country-specific) started in 1953 and the latest ended in 2000, averaging 17 years. Exposures to benzo(a)pyrene were assessed quantitatively using measurement-driven exposure models. Exposure to coal tar was assessed in a semiquantitative manner on the basis of information supplied by company representatives. We carried out sensitivity analyses to assess potential confounding by tobacco smoking. Both cumulative and average exposure indices for benzo- (a)pyrene were positively associated with mortality from IHD. The highest relative risk for fatal IHD was observed for average benzo- (a)pyrene exposures of 273 ng/m3 or higher, for which the relative risk was 1.64 (95% confidence interval 1.13–2.38). Similar results were obtained for coal tar exposure. Sensitivity analysis indicated that even in a realistic scenario of confounding by smoking, we would observe approximately 20% to 40% excess risk in IHD in the highest PAH-exposure categories. Our results lend support to the hypothesis that occupational PAH exposure causes fatal IHD and demonstrate a consistent exposure–response relation for this association. Background: Several toxicologic and epidemiologic studies have
Drivers of international variation in prevalence of disabling low back pain: Findings from the Cultural and Psychosocial Influences on Disability study
(Wiley Online Library, 2018-06-08) Coggon, David; Ntani, Georgia; Palmer, Keith T.; Felli, Vanda E.; Harari, Florencia; Quintana , Leonardo; Felknor, Sarah; Rojas Garbanzo, Marianela; Cattrell, Anna; Vargas-Prada, Sergio; Bonzini, Matteo; Solidaki, Eleni; Merisalu, Eda; Habib, Rima R.; Sadeghian, Farideh; Muhammad Masood, Kadir; Warnakulasuriya, Sudath; Matsudaira, Ko; Nyantumbu-Mkhize, Busisiwe; Kelsall, Helen; Harcombe, Helen
Wide international variation in the prevalence of disabling low back pain (LBP) among working populations is not explained by known risk factors. It would be useful to know whether the drivers of this variation are specific to the spine or factors that predispose to musculoskeletal pain more generally. Baseline information about musculoskeletal pain and risk factors was elicited from 11 710 participants aged 20–59 years, who were sampled from 45 occupational groups in 18 countries. Wider propensity to pain was characterized by the number of anatomical sites outside the low back that had been painful in the 12 months before baseline (‘pain propensity index’). After a mean interval of 14 months, 9055 participants (77.3%) provided follow-up data on disabling LBP in the past month. Baseline risk factors for disabling LBP at follow-up were assessed by random intercept Poisson regression. After allowance for other known and suspected risk factors, pain propensity showed the strongest association with disabling LBP (prevalence rate ratios up to 2.6, 95% CI: 2.2–3.1; population attributable fraction 39.8%). Across the 45 occupational groups, the prevalence of disabling LBP varied sevenfold (much more than within-country differences between nurses and office workers), and correlated with mean pain propensity index (r = 0.58). Within our study, major international variation in the prevalence of disabling LBP appeared to be driven largely by factors predisposing to musculoskeletal pain at multiple anatomical sites rather than by risk factors specific to the spine. Our findings indicate that differences in general propensity to musculoskeletal pain are a major driver of large international variation in the prevalence of disabling low back pain among people of working age.
Environmental Risk Assessment Of Pesticides In The River Madre De Dios, Costa Rica Using PERPEST, SSD, And msPAF Models
(Springer Nature Link, 2016-09-12) Ramo, Roberto A.; Van Den Brink, Paul J.; Ruepert, Clemens; Castillo, Luisa E.; Gunnarsson, Jonas S.
This study assesses the ecological risks (ERA) of pesticides to aquatic organisms in the River Madre de Dios (RMD), which receives surface runoff water from banana, pineapple, and rice plantations on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. Water samples collected over 2 years at five sites in the RMD revealed a total of 26 pesticides. Their toxicity risk to aquatic organisms was assessed using three recent ERA models. (1) The PERPEST model showed a high probability (>50 %) of clear toxic effects of pesticide mixtures on algae, macrophytes, zooplankton, macroinvertebrates, and community metabolism and a low probability (<50 %) of clear effects on fish. (2) Species sensitivity distributions (SSD) showed a moderate to high risk of three herbicides: ametryn, bromacil, diuron and four insecticides: carbaryl, diazinon, ethoprophos, terbufos. (3) The multi-substance potentially affected fraction (msPAF) model showed results consistent with PERPEST: high risk to algae (maximum msPAF: 73 %), aquatic plants (61 %), and arthropods (25 %) and low risk to fish (0.2 %) from pesticide mixtures. The pesticides posing the highest risks according to msPAF and that should be substituted with less toxic substances were the herbicides ametryn, diuron, the insecticides carbaryl, chlorpyrifos, diazinon, ethoprophos, and the fungicide difenoconazole. Ecological risks were highest near the plantations and decreased progressively further downstream. The risk to fish was found to be relatively low in these models, but water samples were not collected during fish kill events and some highly toxic pesticides known to be used were not analyzed for in this study. Further sampling and analysis of water samples is needed to determine toxicity risks to fish during peaks of pesticide mixture concentrations. The msPAF model, which estimates the ecological risks of mixtures based on their toxic modes of action, was found to be the most suitable model to assess toxicity risks to aquatic organisms in the RMD. The PERPEST model was found to be a strong tool for screening risk assessments. The SSD approach is useful in deriving water quality criteria for specific pesticides. This study, through the application of three ERA models, clearly shows that pesticides used in plantations within the RMD watershed are expected to have severe adverse effects on most groups of aquatic organisms and that actions are urgently needed to reduce pesticide pollution in this high biodiversity ecosystem.
Parental Occupational Exposure to Pesticides and the Risk of Childhood Leukemia in Costa Rica
(Scand J Work Environ Health, 2007-08-31) Monge, P; Wesseling, Catharina; Guardado, J; Lundberg, Ingvar; Ahlbom, Anders; Cantor, Kenneth P; Weiderpass, Elisabete; Partanen, Timo
Parental exposure to pesticides and the risk of leukemia in offspring were examined in a population based case–control study in Costa Rica. All cases of childhood leukemia (N=334), in 1995–2000, were identified at the Cancer Registry and the Children’s Hospital. Population controls (N=579) were drawn from the National Birth Registry. Interviews of parents were conducted using conventional and icon-based calendar forms. An exposure model was constructed for 25 pesticides in five time periods. Mothers’ exposures to any pesticides during the year before conception and during the first and second trimesters were associated with the risk [odds ratio (OR) 2.4, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.0–5.9; OR 22, 95% CI 2.8–171.5; OR 4.5, 95% CI 1.4–14.7, respectively] and during anytime (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.0–4.8). An association was found for fathers’ exposures to any pesticides during the second trimester (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.0–2.3). An increased risk with respect to organophosphates was found for mothers during the first trimester (OR 3.5, 95% CI 1.0–12.2) and for fathers during the year before conception and the first trimester (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.0–2.2 and OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.0–2.6, respectively), and benzimidazoles during the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.0–4.4; OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.0–5.0; OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.0–5.2, respectively). There was a suggestion of an exposure–response gradient for fathers as regards picloram, benomyl, and paraquat. Age at diagnosis was positively associated with fathers’ exposures and inversely associated with mothers’ exposures. The results suggest that parental exposure to certain pesticides may increase the risk of leukemia in offspring.
Registration of Occupational Diseases in Costa Rica
(Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc., 2007-09) Monge, P.; Mora, A, M.
Previous efforts have been developed in Costa Rica to systematize and unify the registration of occupational diseases, but with nonpositive results. To better assess the feasibility to standardize the report of occupational risks, the Program in Work and Health in Central America (SALTRA) is conducting a project in 2 CA countries. We are presenting the advances in Costa Rica.
Indicators of Health Risks to Promote Sustainability in Agro-Food Chains
(Wolters Kluwer, 2007-09) Bravo, Virya; Partanen, Timo; Pelupessy, Wim; Wesseling, Catharina
Techniques to identify potential health risks of pesticide use are useful to promote and follow up sustainability in export agro-food chains, especially in production segment in developing countries. The aim of the study was to differentiate crop production technologies, based on the quantity of pesticides applied, grouped by toxicity criteria as health risk indicators.
An ecosystem health approach and children's health living in the vicinity of banana plantations
(Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc., 2007-09) Van Wendel de Joode, B.; Barraza, D.; Mora, AM; Córdoba, L; De la Cruz, E
To study children's exposure to pesticides, their health effects, and their social consequences in agricultural communities. Materials and methods: The study population included three communities near banana plantations (multinationals) and plantain plantations (small-scale farmers) with extensive pesticide use, and two with low pesticide use (livestock farmers and organic farmers). Pesticide exposure pathways in children were studied both qualitatively and quantitatively within a social, cultural, and gender context. To study perceptions of pesticide risks, focus groups with parents and semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders were conducted. Exposure was quantitatively assessed by measuring pesticide metabolites in urine in 55 exposed children and 12 children aged 7 and 8 with low exposure. Dermal exposure was assessed in 14 of these children, and dust samples were collected from their homes. Environmental samples (air, surface and drinking water, and soil) were also collected. To study the children's development and health, a battery of neurobehavioral tests was administered to all 7- and 8-year-old children in the 5 communities.
Pesticide Exposure and Neurological Effects in Children of Nicaraguan Agricultural Workers, With an Ecosystem Approach
(Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc., 2007-09) Rodríguez, T; van Wendel de Joode, Berna; Soto, A; Rojas, M; Wesseling, Catharina
Las familias de trabajadores agrícolas en Nicaragua suelen tener mayor contacto con plaguicidas en el entorno general debido a que viven cerca de los campos tratados con plaguicidas. Los niños suelen jugar y trabajar en o cerca de los campos tratados. Un estudio previo reportó TCPY en aplicadores y sus hijos (LOD 146.82 μg/L y LOD 125.13 μg/L, respectivamente). Además, los niveles urinarios de los metabolitos generales de los piretroides, PBA, cis-DCCA, trans-DCCA y DBCA, superan los niveles de referencia publicados en niños. El objetivo principal de este estudio es determinar el contexto económico y social de la exposición infantil a plaguicidas y sus efectos neurológicos.
Retrospective Analysis of an Outbreak of Nonsuccessful Pregnancies in a Community Nearby a Melon Plantation
(Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc., 2007-09) Cordoba, Leonel; van Wendel de Joode, Berna; Ramirez, F; Herrero, Marco V.; Wesseling, Catharina
The objective of this study was to identify risk factors of nonsuccessful pregnancies in a Costa Rican community during 2004. Out of 20 pregnancies, 4 resulted in stillbirths, 3 in miscarriages, and 1 in a congenital malformation. The community inhabitants attributed thi outbreak to the pesticide use in a nearby melon plantation.
Costa Rican Factory Workers Exposed to Chlorpyrifos
(Wolters Kluwer, 2007-09) Rojas, M.; Van Wendel del Joode, B.; Ruepert, C.; Wesseling, C.
Chlorpyrifos is a neurotoxic organophosphate insecticide. Moderated toxicity of chlorpyrifos inhibits the acetyl cholinesterase enzyme activity. Occupational exposure to chlorpyrifos has poisoned many workers in Central America. A group of factory workers involved in the manufacturing of bags with chlorpyrifos asked SALTRA to evaluate if they were intoxicated. To evaluate if factory workers with a chronic exposure to chlorpyrifos are intoxicated.
Health Risk Indicators for Pesticide Use: Banana in the Atlantic Region of Costa Rica, 2006
(Wolters Kluwer, 2007-09) Bravo, Virya; Partanen, Timo; Wesseling, Catharina
Pesticide use is a severe agricultural public health problem in developing countries. Surveillance of health risks is difficult. During decades, banana has been one of the crops where pesticides have been most intensively used in Costa Rica. The aim of the study was to establish a basis for surveillance of pesticide use in relation to potential health risks, by means of toxicity indicators, using banana cultivation in Costa Rica as an example.
Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases in Costa Rica: a feasibility study toward a national screening program
(Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica, 2013-12-27) Wesseling, Catharina; Román, Norbel; Quirós, Indiana; Paéz, Laura; García, Vilma; Mora, Ana María; Juncos, Jorge L.; Steenland, Kyle N.
Antecedentes: La integración de los servicios de salud mental y neurológicos en la atención médica es una prioridad mundial. El Sistema de Seguridad Social universal de Costa Rica aspira a desarrollar un sistema nacional de cribado de trastornos neurodegenerativos en adultos mayores, como parte de la agenda de enfermedades no transmisibles. Objetivo: Este estudio evaluó la viabilidad del cribado rutinario de la enfermedad de Parkinson (EP) y la enfermedad de Alzheimer (EA) en el sistema público de salud de Costa Rica. Diseño: La población (mayores de 65 años) de las áreas de influencia de dos centros de atención primaria fue seleccionada para un cribado motor y cognitivo durante los chequeos médicos anuales de rutina. El cribado siguió un enfoque escalonado de tres pasos, con especificidad creciente. El paso 1 consistió en un cuestionario de dos síntomas (temblor en reposo; equilibrio) y una prueba de dibujo en espiral para la evaluación motora, así como una prueba de recuerdo de tres palabras y de fluidez en categorías de animales para la evaluación cognitiva. El paso 2 (para quienes no superaron el paso 1) consistió en una versión de 10 ítems de la Escala Unificada de Calificación de la Enfermedad de Parkinson y el Mini-Examen del Estado Mental. El paso 3 (para quienes no superaron el paso 2) consistió en un examen neurológico completo con diagnóstico definitivo de EP, EA, deterioro cognitivo leve (DCL), otros trastornos o sujetos sanos. Se calcularon los parámetros de cribado y la prevalencia de la enfermedad. Resultados: De los 401 sujetos evaluados (80 % de la población objetivo), 370 (92 %), 163 (45 %) y 81 (56 %) no superaron los pasos 1, 2 y 3, respectivamente. Treinta y tres, 20 y 35 pacientes fueron diagnosticados con EP, EA y DCL, respectivamente (7 eran EP con DCL/EA); el 90 % fueron casos nuevos. La sensibilidad de las evaluaciones motoras y cognitivas del paso 1 con respecto al paso 2 fue del 93 % en ambas ocasiones, y la del paso 2 con respecto al diagnóstico definitivo fue del 100 % y del 96 %, respectivamente. La especificidad de las pruebas motoras y cognitivas del paso 1 fue baja (23 % y 29 %, respectivamente) y la del paso 2 aceptable (76 % y 94 %). Según datos internacionales, la prevalencia de EP fue 3,7 veces mayor de lo esperado; la prevalencia de EA fue la esperada. Conclusión: Los ajustes propuestos al protocolo aumentarán la especificidad de la prueba y reducirán el tiempo de administración. Un programa de cribado rutinario es viable dentro del sistema de salud pública de Costa Rica.
Seasonal dynamics and pesticide impact on gut microbiome in Amynthas gracilis earthworms: A comparative study across agricultural landscapes assessed by 16S rRNA amplicon-based sequencing
(Elsevier, 2025-08-27) Brenes-Bravo, Gabriel; Solano-Campos, Frank; Ruepert, Clemens; Mena, Freylan
The use of pesticides in agriculture can affect the biodiversity of soil ecosystems and interfere with the ecological services they provide. The gut microbiome of earthworms serves as a bioindicator for changes in diversity within one of the most representative groups of soil macrofauna. In this study, we defined a gradient of soil and pesticide use regimes within a horticultural area, including conventional management, good agricultural practices, organic production and forest. Earthworms (A. gracilis) from these four conditions were sampled, and their microbiomes were assessed by sequencing the V4 region from the 16S rRNA gene. Comparison of ASVs indicated the presence of 142 bacterial genera among all the samples, with Actinobacteriota, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Bacteroidota being dominant phyla. Simpson’s diversity index revealed diminished biodiversity in the gut microbiomes of earthworms from conventionally managed soil, correlating negatively with the presence of the insecticide chlorpyrifos. Furthermore, a seasonal shift in the dominance of bacterial taxa was observed between dry and rainy seasons. These shifts were evident in the gut microbiome of organisms from organically managed and good practices soils but not in the conventional site. Our results demonstrate that earthworm’s gut microbiome serves as a responsive bioindicator for biodiversity changes in agricultural landscapes, suggesting that key features of the microbial community can be altered by pesticide exposure.
Physiological stress and habitat selection in earthworms (Amynthas gracilis) exposed to different pesticide regimes in a tropical horticultural area
(Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica, 2025-07-29) Brenes-Bravo, Gabriel; Reinhard, Lukas; Ruepert, Clemens; Solano-Campos, Frank; Mena, Freylan
Agricultural landscapes are constantly exposed to pesticides. Such permanent exposure threatens the ecosystem and the services that it provides to sustain agriculture. Earthworms are key components of soil macrofauna that can be susceptible to such contamination. To assess if the presence of pesticides in horticultural soils can induce physiological stress and evasive behavior in resident earthworms, we evaluated pesticide residues and soil physical and chemical characteristics across a gradient of land use: conventional farming, farming with good environmental practices, organic farming and forest. Stress was assessed by measuring biomarkers of neurotoxicity, biotransformation and oxidative stress in individuals of the earthworm Amynthas gracilis inhabiting sites of the mentioned gradient during dry and rainy seasons. An avoidance test was conducted where a group of A. gracilis was offered with soil samples from the studied gradient, and 48 h later their selection was counted. 1 Pesticide residues were registered in all the sites and seasons. Conventional farming site contained the highest number (43) and concentration of pesticides, with peak values during the transition and rainy season (Chlorpyrifos 38.1 ng g dw, Boscalid 8.4 ng g 1 dw and Linuron 7.8 ng g 1 dw). However, the highest concentration of an individual pesticides was found in forest soil (Chlorpyrifos 71.9 ng g 1 dw). Earthworms from Conventional farming site showed over 50 % inhibition of cholinesterase activity and diminished glutathione S-transferase activity compared to the other sites, while seasonal variation was clear in GST, CAT and EROD activities in all the sites. A. gracilis significantly avoided (90 %) the soil from the conventional farming site and preferred good environmental practices and organic soils. Our results provide evidence that intensive pesticide use induces physiological stress in A. gracilis and provokes their escape from contaminated soils, potentially affecting the soil macrofauna community and ecosystem services.
Influence of Seasonality and Pollution on the Presence of Antibiotic Resistance Genes and Potentially Pathogenic Bacteria in a Tropical Urban River
(Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica, 2025-08-05) Barrantes-Jiménez, Kenia; Mendoza-Guido, Bradd; Morales-Mora, Eric; Rivera-Montero, Luis; Montiel-Mora, Jose; Chacón-Jiménez, Luz; Rojas-Jiménez, Keilor; Arias-Andrés, Maria
Background/Objectives: This study examines how seasonality, pollution, and sample type (water and sediment) influence the presence and distribution of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), with a focus on antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) located on plasmids (the complete set of plasmid-derived sequences, including ARGs) in a tropical urban river. Methods: Samples were collected from three sites along a pollution gradient in the Virilla River, Costa Rica, during three seasonal campaigns (wet 2021, dry 2022, and wet 2022). ARGs in water and sediment were quantified by qPCR, and metagenomic sequencing was applied to analyze chromosomal and plasmid-associated resistance profiles in sediments. Tobit and linear regression models, along with multivariate ordination, were used to assess spatial and seasonal trends. Results: During the wet season of 2021, the abundance of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) such as sul-1, intI-1, and tetA in water samples decreased significantly, likely due to dilution, while intI-1 and tetQ increased in sediments, suggesting particle-bound accumulation. In the wet season 2022, intI-1 remained low in water, qnrS increased, and sediments showed significant increases in tetQ, tetA, and qnrS, along with decreases in sul-1 and sul-2. Metagenomic analysis revealed spatial differences in plasmid-associated ARGs, with the highest abundance at the most polluted site (Site 3). Bacterial taxa also showed spatial differences, with greater plasmidome diversity and a higher representation of potential pathogens in the most contaminated site. Conclusions: Seasonality and pollution gradients jointly shape ARG dynamics in this tropical river. Plasmid-mediated resistance responds rapidly to environmental change and is enriched at polluted sites, while sediments serve as long-term reservoirs. These findings support the use of plasmid-based monitoring for antimicrobial resistance surveillance in aquatic systems.
Calor y cambio climático: una matriz de exposición ocupacional a estrés térmico por calor en Costa Rica
(Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica, 2025-04) Crowell, Jennifer; Rojas-Valvede, Daniel; Masis Leandro, Keneth; Barraza, Douglas; Ugalde Ramírez, José Alexis; Gutiérrez Vargas, Randall; Casanova Quiroz, Alexandra; Chavarría Castrillo, Maricruz; Solano Gutiérrez, Fidelia; Wendel de Joode, Berna van
La investigación propone una matriz de riesgo diseñada para comparar la exposición acumulada (crónica) al calor en diferentes tipos de empleo y regiones geográficas de Costa Rica, considerando tanto las condiciones actuales como escenarios de cambio climático utilizando cuatro parámetros clave: duración, carga metabólica, frecuencia y severidad de la exposición. Esta matriz se aplicó a seis ocupaciones en dos zonas climáticas (Valle Central y Pacífico Norte). Los resultados indican que los trabajadores en el Pacífico Norte están más expuestos que los del Valle Central y que de los puestos evaluados, los cortadores de caña en Carrillo y peones en arroceras de Bagaces, enfrentan los mayores niveles de riesgo térmico. Proyecciones basadas en aumentos de temperatura entre 1 y 4 °C muestran cómo incrementará el riesgo, afectando más meses del año y más ocupaciones. Esta herramienta epidemiológica permite priorizar sectores y regiones para intervenciones de salud pública y adaptación al cambio climático, subrayando la necesidad de políticas preventivas que consideren la vulnerabilidad específica de la población trabajadora.
Acute toxicity and cholinesterase inhibition of the nematicide ethoprophos in larvae of gar Atractosteus tropicus (Semionotiformes: Lepisosteidae)
(Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica, 2011) Mena Torres, Freylan; Pfennig, Sascha; Arias Andrés, María de Jesús; Márquez Couturier, Gabriel; Sevilla, Adrián; Protti, Maurizio
Biomarkers are a widely applied approach in environmental studies. Analyses of cholinesterase (ChE), glutathione S-transferase (GST) and lipid peroxidation (LPO) are biomarkers that can provide information regarding early effects of pollutants at different biochemical levels on an organism. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biomarker approach on a Costa Rican native and relevant species. For this, larvae of gar (Atractosteus tropicus) were exposed to the organophosphorus nematicide, ethoprophos. Acute (96hr) exposure was conducted with pesticide concentrations ranging from 0.1µg/L to 1 500µg/L. The 96hr LC50 calculated was 859.7µg/L. After exposure, three biomarkers (ChE, GST and LPO) were analyzed in fish that survived the acute test. The lowest observed effect concentration (LOEC) regarding ChE activity inhibition was 50µg/L. This concentration produced a significant inhibition (p<0.05) of the enzyme by 20%. The highest concentration tested without showing any effect on ChE activity and therefore considered as no observed effect concentration (NOEC) was 10µg/L. Ethoprophos concentration of 400µg/L caused a ChE inhibition by 79%. In this study, no significant variations (p>0.05) in GST activity and LPO were observed in A. tropicus larvae after exposure to ethoprophos.
Propuesta de indicadores para la vigilancia de la salud ocupacional en América Latina y el Caribe
(Pan American Health Organization, 2018) Merino Salazar, Pamela; Cornelio, Cecilia; López Ruiz, María; Benavides, Fernando G.; Rojas, Marianela; Barraza, Douglas
Este artículo propone un conjunto básico y común de indicadores para la vigilancia en salud ocupacional en América Latina y el Caribe e identifica las fuentes de datos disponibles para su medición. Para ello, se llevó a cabo un proceso de consenso de la Red Experta en Encuestas sobre Condiciones de Trabajo, Empleo y Salud (RED ECoTES) en dos etapas. En la primera etapa, se consensuó un primer listado de indicadores, y en la segunda etapa, se identificaron las fuentes de datos y sus características, con el fin de facilitar la comprobación de la factibilidad del cálculo real de cada indicador en 20 países de la Región. La propuesta del conjunto básico de indicadores, y sus definiciones, está conformado por 13 indicadores distribuidos en cuatro dimensiones: condiciones de empleo (tres indicadores), condiciones de trabajo (cuatro indicadores), recursos y actividades preventivas (dos indicadores) y salud (cuatro indicadores). Las principales fuentes disponibles para calcular estos indicadores en la Región fueron las encuestas permanentes de hogares, las encuestas de condiciones de trabajo, empleo y salud, las estadísticas vitales, y los sistemas de notificación de lesiones por accidentes de trabajo. En la Región existen datos para un número relevante de los indicadores propuestos. Sin embargo, un número importante de aquellos orientados a las condiciones de trabajo y actividades preventivas están ausentes en la mayoría de países. La vigilancia efectiva de la salud ocupacional en la Región exige impulsar decididamente las encuestas sobre condiciones de empleo, trabajo y salud en cada uno de los países que la conforman.
Pyrethroid exposure, attention and executive function in 6-year old children from the Infants′ Environmental Health Study (ISA)
(2019-08) Peñaloza Castañeda, Jorge; Mora Benamburg, J; Padilla Mora, M; Fajardo Soto, A; Cordoba, Leonel; M. Mora, A; Eskenazi, B; Lindh, C; van Wendel de, Joode B
Pyrethroid insecticides may impair children’s neurodevelopment but little evidence from prospective studies is available. In Costa Rica, pyrethroids are widely used for vector control. We examined whether prenatal and current pyrethroid exposure was associated with impaired attention and executive function in children from the Infants Environmental Health Study (ISA). Methods: To evaluate attention and executive function, we applied the Conners Continuous Performance Test (CPT-II) and Dimensional Change Card Sort (DCCS in 6-year old children (mean 6.4 ± 0.4 years) (n=268). We obtained repeated urine samples during pregnancy and 5-6 years of age, determined 3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethyl cyclopropanecarboxylicacid (DCCA) and 3-phenoxybenzoicacid(3-PBA), and summed concentrations of both. We subsequently ran separate linear regression models for log-10 transformed mean prenatal, and mean child metabolite concentrations and CPT-II, and ran separate logistic regression model for DCCS. We adjusted a priori for child age, child sex, HOME score, and maternal education. We also ran analysis stratified by sex.

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