Residential proximity to pesticide applications in Argentine Patagonia: impact on pregnancy and newborn parameters

• Published in: Environmental science and pollution research international Vol. 28; no. 40; pp. 56565 - 56579
• Main Authors: Cecchi, Amalia, Alvarez, Gabriel, Quidel, Natalia, Bertone, María Cecilia, Anderle, Sofia, Sabino, Guillermo, Magnarelli, Gladis G., Rovedatti, María Gabriela
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.10.2021; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Agricultural land; Aquatic Pollution; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Birth weight; Circumferences; Complications; Crop production; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; Environmental science; Fetuses; Fruits; Gestational age; Growth rate; Miscarriage; Parameters; Pesticide application; Pesticides; Ponderal index; Pregnancy; Pregnancy complications; Premature labor; Proximity; Research Article; Statistical analysis; Urban populations; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollution Control; Pregnancy; Neonicotinoids; Newborn ponderal index; Prenatal exposure; Distance to fruit crops; Organophosphates
• DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-14574-2
• ISSN: 0944-1344

Among residents living close to agricultural fields who are potentially exposed to pesticides, pregnant women and their fetuses are of particular concern for their vulnerability to environmental chemicals. In this collaborative multicenter study, we covered a wide distribution of participants in the most important fruit production zone of north Patagonia (Argentina) to investigate whether maternal residential proximity to fruit croplands with intense pesticide applications (rural group –RG-) is associated with pregnancy complications and alterations in their newborn parameters compared to the urban population (urban group –UG-). A total of 776 pregnant women met the inclusion criteria. The percentage of threatened miscarriage was significantly higher in the RG than in the UG. The percentage of miscarriage, threat of premature labor, intrauterine fetal death, preterm premature rupture of membranes, and intrauterine growth retardation were similar in both groups. Newborn anthropometric parameters were corrected by sex and gestational age prior to statistical analysis. Length at birth and head circumference were lower in the RG than in the UG. Birth weight was similar in both groups. The percentage of head circumference less than the 5th percentile and the ponderal index were greater in the RG than in the UG. Our results suggest that proximity to pesticide applications may increase the risk of pregnancy complications and altered newborn parameters. Graphical abstract