Emerging health effects from pesticide exposure in Europe and in developing countries

Human exposure to agrochemicals brings about a significant portion of the global burden of disease. Although levels of exposure have been significantly reduced in Europe, they still remain high in the developing world, bringing about specific emerging health risks. The estimated number of acute pesticide poisoning is 250,000-500,000, with 3,000 to 30,000 deaths each year, mainly in developing countries. In these countries the highest rates of intentional poisonings also occur, with a total number of more than 870,000, most by pesticide ingestion. Acute pesticide poisoning can affect neurobehavioral functioning, perhaps through brain anoxia, but published literature suggests that also prolonged or repeated exposures can affect behavior. Neurobehavioral impairment in previously acutely poisoned subjects is documented, but neurobehavioral effects in chronically exposed subjects are still controversial, and different opinions are present. Existing evidence suggests that the risk is higher for the higher levels of exposure, such as those experienced in the developing world with, in some cases, mental health impairment, increased risk of depression and even suicide. Another emerging toxic effects currently under study is ‘endocrine disruption’ (ED), able to influence reproductive capability, thyroid function, risk of diabetes and to increase the risk for some specific tumors of hormone-controlled organs. As for cancer as a whole, despite the large number of studies available on the topic it can be concluded that there is not enough evidence that chronic pesticide exposure is responsible for cancer, apart from well known and nowadays forbidden carcinogenic compounds.