Ecotoxicology and Biomarkers For Assessing Health Risks In Exposure To Agrochemicals

Interindividual variation in response to agrochemicals and their potential toxic effects is mediated by intrinsic and extrinsic factors. The intrinsic variations stem from inherited predispositions exemplified in different blood groupings, immunoantigens, metabolic activation and detoxification, and DNA extrinsic factors include the geographical climatic variations, background of infectious diseases, heath sanitaion, socioenvironmental stresses and standard of living. Populations in developing countries have their own genetical trait characteristics where some genetic diseases are more dominant e.g. sickle cell anemia such as schistosomiasis and hepatitis viruses are more abundant in the poor sanitation conditions of the third world countries. These unfavorable genetic and ecological factors when interacting synergistically together will render the people in the developing countries at higher risk because of high susceptibility to exposure and health hazards of agrochemicals. Highly susceptible population groups in general and those in the third world in particular, require specific biomarkers to measure and assess the agrochemicals. In this review, attemps are made to address such specific biomarkers needed to detect and to evaluate the levels of susceptibility, exposure and adverse health effects of agrochemicals with special reference to pesticides in developing countries. Hazards of Transported and Bioaccumulated Toxic Residues 1. Pollution Transported by the Atmosphere Synthetic chemicals, e.g. DDT and PCBs are concentrated by high-lipid marine organisms. Such substances are sometimes found in the surface microlayers in association with films and microorganisms., J. Agric. & Env. Sci. Alex. Univ., Egypt. Vol. 2 ( 1 ) 2003