Pesticide linked to chronic kidney disease

Date:
October 14, 2021
Source:
University of Queensland
Summary:
A commonly available pesticide has been associated with an increased
risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD).



FULL STORY ==========================================================================
A commonly available pesticide has been associated with an increased
risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in a University of Queensland study.


========================================================================== Researchers analysed links between pesticide exposure and the risk of
kidney dysfunction in 41,847 people, using data from the USA National
Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

School of Public Health Associate Professor, Nicholas Osborne said
the study found people exposed to higher amounts of the insecticide
Malathion, known as Maldison in Australia, had 25 per cent higher risk
of kidney dysfunction.

"Nearly one in 10 people in high income countries show signs of CKD, which
is permanent kidney damage and loss of renal function," Dr Osborne said.

Risk factors of developing CKD include age, hypertension and diabetes.

Dr Osborne said CKD with no known cause was rising in low-to-middle
income countries such as India, Sri Lanka and Mesoamerica.



========================================================================== "Initially, it was suspected the condition was associated with
agricultural workplaces through exposure to heat stress, dehydration,
pesticide spraying, heavy metals and agrochemicals," Dr Osborne said.

"However, environmental contamination, pesticide residues and herbal
medicines potentially containing heavy metals may also be contributing
to CKD." The cause of increased CKD remains unknown but spraying
pesticides without personal protective equipment (PPE) and working with contaminated soil have been suggested as likely exposure pathways.

Dr Osborne said the UQ study was the first to provide evidence linking Malathion with risk of poor kidney health in humans.

"The findings suggest we should limit our exposure to pesticides, even
in very small doses, as chronic exposure may lead to negative health
outcomes," Dr Osborne said.

"We will continue to investigate if other pesticides may be involved
and are planning to collect data on Sri Lankan farmer behaviours to
examine their level of exposure when using pesticides in the field."
Malathion is licensed for use in agriculture, domestic and public
recreation areas as part of mosquito and fruit fly eradication programs,
and can also be found in some topical head lice treatments.

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Queensland. Note:
Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. En-Tzu Wan, Darsy Darssan, Shamshad Karatela, Simon A. Reid,
Nicholas
John Osborne. Association of Pesticides and Kidney Function among
Adults in the US Population 2001-2010. International Journal of
Environmental Research and Public Health, 2021; 18 (19): 10249 DOI:
10.3390/ ijerph181910249 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/10/211014100148.htm

--- up 6 weeks, 8 hours, 25 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (1:317/3)