Reproductive Health Risks Associated with Occupational and Environmental Exposure to Pesticides

Aleksandra Fucic, Radu C. Duca, Karen S. Galea, Tihana Maric, Kelly Garcia, Michael S. Bloom, Helle R. Andersen and John E. Vena
Additional contact information
Aleksandra Fucic: Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Radu C. Duca: Unit Environmental Hygiene and Human Biological Monitoring, Department of Health Protection, National Health Laboratory, L-3555 Dudelange, Luxembourg
Karen S. Galea: Institute of Occupational Medicine, Edinburgh EH14 4AP, UK
Tihana Maric: Medical School, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Kelly Garcia: Department of Global and Community Health, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
Michael S. Bloom: Department of Global and Community Health, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
Helle R. Andersen: Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5000 Odense C, Denmark
John E. Vena: Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 12, 1-29

Abstract: A marked reduction in fertility and an increase in adverse reproductive outcomes during the last few decades have been associated with occupational and environmental chemical exposures. Exposure to different types of pesticides may increase the risks of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative disease, but also of reduced fertility and birth defects. Both occupational and environmental exposures to pesticides are important, as many are endocrine disruptors, which means that even very low-dose exposure levels may have measurable biological effects. The aim of this review was to summarize the knowledge collected between 2000 and 2020, to highlight new findings, and to further interpret the mechanisms that may associate pesticides with infertility, abnormal sexual maturation, and pregnancy complications associated with occupational, environmental and transplacental exposures. A summary of current pesticide production and usage legislation is also included in order to elucidate the potential impact on exposure profile differences between countries, which may inform prevention measures. Recommendations for the medical surveillance of occupationally exposed populations, which should be facilitated by the biomonitoring of reduced fertility, is also discussed.

Keywords: male; female; infertility; transplacental (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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