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Review
. 2023 Aug 1;11(8):663.
doi: 10.3390/toxics11080663.

Genotoxicity of Occupational Pesticide Exposures among Agricultural Workers in Arab Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Moustafa Sherif  1 , Khadija Ramadhan Makame  2 , Linda Östlundh  3 , Marilia Silva Paulo  4 , Abderrahim Nemmar  5 , Bassam R Ali  6 , Rami H Al-Rifai  1 , Károly Nagy  2 , Balázs Ádám  1
Affiliations
Review

Genotoxicity of Occupational Pesticide Exposures among Agricultural Workers in Arab Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Moustafa Sherif et al. Toxics. .

Abstract

Exposure to pesticides in Arab countries is a significant public health concern due to extensive agricultural activity and pesticide use. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the genotoxic effects of agricultural pesticide exposure in the region, identify research gaps, and assess methodological limitations. Following the PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search yielded five relevant studies conducted in Egypt, Syria, and Jordan. Various genotoxicity assays were employed, revealing a higher level of DNA damage in exposed compared to non-exposed individuals. Farmers exposed to pesticides exhibited a significantly higher occurrence of chromosomal translocation (t(14;18)), micronuclei, and chromosomal aberrations. However, only two studies assessed cytotoxicity indirectly. The studies predominantly focused on male participants, with variations in sample size and pesticide types. The lack of detailed exposure data necessitates cautious interpretation. This review underscores the need for further research on the genotoxicity of occupational pesticide exposure in the Middle East. Future studies should adopt robust study designs, collect biological and environmental samples, conduct repeated sampling, analyze seasonal variations, and encompass diverse study sites associated with specific crop groups.

Keywords: Arab countries; DNA damage; agriculture; genotoxicity; occupational exposure; pesticide.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
PRISMA flowchart of study selection.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Pooled mean difference in the aberrations per 100 cells in the exposed compared to unexposed individuals, regardless of the season.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Pooled mean difference in the chromatid breaks per 100 cells in the exposed compared to un-exposed individuals, regardless of the season.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Pooled mean difference in the breaks per 100 cells in the exposed compared to un-exposed individuals, regardless of the season.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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