Agents of EDCS Pollutants in Pesticides and Herbicides Used In Fars Province, Iran

Recent studies have shown that certain man-made compounds (including some pesticides and herbicide) through interfering with endocrine system, have the capability to induce developmental and reproductive abnormalities in humans and animals. Pesticides are currently being used in large scales in many developed and developing countries (including Iran), so this study has been conducted to determine the percentage of endocrine disruptor agents in pesticides used in Fars province. Data on the amounts and the types of pesticides were obtained from the official offices responsible for purchasing and distribution pesticides in Fars province. All chemicals used to manufacture pesticides consumed in Fars province were checked for endocrine disruptor activities by using scientific papers and published articles. Finally, data were analyzed by descriptive statistical tests using SPSS 10 for Windows software (SPSS Inc., 444 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA). The results showed that more than 1,581,690 liters of pesticides, in 86 different brands, have been used in Fars province during year 1380 and 25.93% (34 types) of them had at least one carcinogenic agents. At least 30 pesticides (711720 liters, 44.99%) had one endocrine disruptor agent and therefore can be classified as environmental hormones or endocrine disrupting chemicals. The percentage of pesticides whom interfering with normal endocrine system activity were, 7.82% (66572 liters), 4.54% (39975 liters), 22.02% (348400 liters), 5.12% (81000 liters) and 21.18% (34500 liters) of pesticides were antiestrogenic, antiandorgenic, antityroidic, antigonadotropin and anitestroid hormones, respectively. The results showed that about 50% of pesticides which currently being used in Fars province should be banned.