Barrón Cuenca, J.; Dreij, K.; Tirado, N. Human Pesticide Exposure in Bolivia: A Scoping Review of Current Knowledge, Future Challenges and Research Needs. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health2024, 21, 305.
Barrón Cuenca, J.; Dreij, K.; Tirado, N. Human Pesticide Exposure in Bolivia: A Scoping Review of Current Knowledge, Future Challenges and Research Needs. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21, 305.
Barrón Cuenca, J.; Dreij, K.; Tirado, N. Human Pesticide Exposure in Bolivia: A Scoping Review of Current Knowledge, Future Challenges and Research Needs. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health2024, 21, 305.
Barrón Cuenca, J.; Dreij, K.; Tirado, N. Human Pesticide Exposure in Bolivia: A Scoping Review of Current Knowledge, Future Challenges and Research Needs. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21, 305.
Abstract
Numerous studies have shown that pesticide exposure is linked to adverse health outcomes. Nevertheless, in Bolivia, where there is an increasing use of pesticides, including those restricted or banned in industrialized nations, the literature is spare. To address knowledge gaps and guide future research in Bolivia, we conducted a scoping review crossing 22 years (January 2000 to December 2022). Our search identified 37 peer-reviewed articles and 27 reports/documents on Bolivian regulations. Most studies focused on farmers and revealed high pesticide exposure levels, assessed through biomarkers of exposure, susceptibility, and effect. Literature explored a range of health effects due to pesticide exposure, spanning acute to chronic conditions. Many studies highlighted the correlation between pesticide exposure and genotoxic damage, measured by DNA strand breaks and/or micronuclei formation, particularly in farmers without personal protection equipment (PPE), which increases the risk of developing chronic diseases, including cancer. Recent findings also showed the alarming use of banned or restricted pesticides in Bolivian crops. Despite existing Bolivian regulations, the uncontrolled use of pesticides persists, evidencing the harmful health effects on the population and increasing land and water pollution. These findings underscore the need for stringent enforcement of regulations and provide a scientific foundation for decision-making by relevant authorities.
Keywords
Pesticides exposure; health effects, Bolivia, farmers, Bolivian regulations
Subject
Public Health and Healthcare, Public, Environmental and Occupational Health
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
