Indigenous children living nearby plantations with chlorpyrifos-treated bags have elevated 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCPy) urinary concentrations

Results suggest that the general living environment of children from the banana village is contaminated with chlorpyrifos, detected in air, soil, surface water, mattress and house dust samples, and in all the hand and foot wash samples. Chlorpyrifos is a chlorinated organophosphate (OP) insecticide, a neurotoxinant which inhibits plasma and red blood cell (RBC) acetylcholinesterase. Three US children’s cohort studies have reported neurodevelopmental deficits in relation to prenatal exposures to organophosphates in general. The substitution of the chlorpyrifos-treated bags with agro-ecological pest control methods, are likely to improve children’s health and environment in banana and plantain growing regions

Demonstration of antibiotic-induced tolerance development in tropical agroecosystems through physiological profiling of sediment microbial communities

Agricultural use of antibiotics differs quantitatively and qualitatively in tropical and temperate countries. To gain insight into the nature and magnitude of physiological adaptations prompted by these drugs in microbial communities from tropical agroecosystems, we compared community-level physiological profiles of sediment bacteria from a protected wetland (PV), a pig farm (RD), treated (TIL1) and untreated effluents (TIL2) from a tilapia farm, an estuary close to shrimp farms (CA), and an irrigation channel adjacent to a rice plantation (AZ) exposed to a range of oxytetracycline (OTC) concentrations in Ecoplates (Biolog®). In addition, we used LC/MS/MS and plate counts to determine the concentration of OTC and the number of OTC-resistant bacteria in the samples, respectively. Water samples collected at RD contained maximum amounts of OTC (640 ng L-1), followed by TIL2 (249 ng L-1), TIL1 (72 ng L-1), and CA (85 ng L-1). In average, the microbial community of RD was more tolerant to OTC (EC50: 14.30 ± 3.12 mg L-1) than bacteria from CA (8.83 ± 1.85 mg Ll-1), TIL2 (EC50: 4.97 ± 1.43 mg L-1), TIL1 (4.25 ± 0.60 mg L-1), AZ (3.66 ± 0.97 mg L-1) and PV (3.77 ± 0.62 mg L-1). Congruently, PV, AZ, TIL1, CA, TIL2, and RD appeared in that order in a cumulative distribution of individual EC50 values and higher plate counts of bacteria resistant to 10 µg mL-1 (5.0x105- 1.5x107) and 100 µg mL-1 of OTC (1.5x104-8.4x105) were obtained for RD than for the other sites (10 µg ml-1: 4.8x104-3.3x105 and 100 µg mL-1: 1.0x102-4.4x103). These results are compatible with a scenario in which the basal level of tolerance to OTC that characterizes pristine environments (PV) is amplified in proportion to the intensity of antibiotic exposure (agriculture<aquaculture<swine farming).UCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias de la Salud::Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales (CIET

Pesticide use in banana plantations in Costa Rica-A review of environmental and human exposure, effects and potential risks

Biodiversity is declining on a global scale. Especially tropical ecosystems, containing most of the planetary biodiversity, are at risk. Agricultural monocrop systems contribute to this decline as they replace original hab-itats and depend on extensive use of synthetic pesticides that impact ecosystems. In this review we use large-scale banana production for export purposes in Costa Rica as an example for pesticide impacts, as it is in production for over a century and uses pesticides extensively for more than fifty years. We summarise the research on pesticide exposure, effects and risks for aquatic and terrestrial environment, as well as for human health. We show that exposure to pesticides is high and relatively well-studied for aquatic systems and humans, but hardly any data are available for the terrestrial compartment including adjacent non target ecosystems such as rainforest fragments. Ecological effects are demonstrated on an organismic level for various aquatic species and processes but are not available at the population and community level. For human health studies exposure evaluation is crucial and recognised effects include various types of cancer and neurobiological dysfunctions particularly in children. With the many synthetic pesticides involved in banana production, the focus on insecticides, revealing highest aquatic risks, and partly herbicides should be extended to fungicides, which are applied aerially over larger areas. The risk assessment and regulation of pesticides so far relies on temperate models and test species and is therefore likely underestimating the risk of pesticide use in tropical ecosystems, with crops such as banana. We highlight further research approaches to improve risk assessment and, in parallel, urge to follow other strategies to reduce pesticides use and especially hazardous substances

Clasificación de reactivos químicos en los laboratorios de la Universidad Nacional

During 2008-2010 inventories of chemical reagents used and stored in teaching and research laboratories of Omar Dengo and Benjamín Núñez campuses of National University were generated. E ach laboratory coordinator was asked to fill out a form that included name, quantity and CAS number of every chemical reagent stored and utilized in the laboratories. Chemical reagents were then classified according to the risk categories described by the United Nations IMDG Code. Such a classification process allowed the development of distribution patterns of the chemical reagents within the schools, institutes and research centers of Universidad Nacional. In addition, they were identified the chemicals hazardous classes of the reagents of larger and lesser utilization within the university laboratories. An adequate chemical reagent management, along with a classification system based upon risk categories, is necessary in order to establish a safe working environment in university laboratories. Classification of chemical reagents permits reduction of the administrative, economical, legal, safety, and technical expenses associated with chemical emergencies management; furthermore, it allows the development and application of preventive work practices by students and university personnel during chemical reagent manipulation.Durante el periodo 2008-2010 se realizaron inventarios de los reactivos químicos utilizados y almacenados en los laboratorios de los campus Omar Dengo y Benjamín Núñez de la Universidad Nacional. Se le solicitó a cada coordinador de laboratorio completar un formulario que incluía el nombre, la cantidad y el número CAS de los reactivos químicos almacenados y utilizados en cada laboratorio. Con estos datos, se clasificaron los reactivos de acuerdo con su categoría de peligro, utilizando el Código IMDG de la Organización de las Naciones Unidas (ONU). La clasificación de los reactivos químicos permitió el desarrollo de sus patrones de distribución en las diferentes unidades, institutos y centros de investigación de la Universidad Nacional. Además, se identificaron las clases de reactivos de mayor y menor uso en los laboratorios de la institución. El adecuado manejo de los reactivos químicos, con su correspondiente clasificación basada en la categoría de riesgo, es la base principal para la implementación de un ambiente seguro de trabajo en los laboratorios. La clasificación de los reactivos químicos permite minimizar los costos administrativos, económicos, legales, de seguridad y técnicos asociados con la atención de emergencias químicas; permitiendo además el desarrollo y aplicación de prácticas de trabajo preventivas por parte de funcionarios y estudiantes durante la manipulación de estas sustancias

Clasificación de reactivos químicos en los laboratorios de la Universidad Nacional

During 2008-2010 inventories of chemical reagents used and stored in teaching and research laboratories of Omar Dengo and Benjamín Núñez campuses of National University were generated. E ach laboratory coordinator was asked to fill out a form that included name, quantity and CAS number of every chemical reagent stored and utilized in the laboratories. Chemical reagents were then classified according to the risk categories described by the United Nations IMDG Code. Such a classification process allowed the development of distribution patterns of the chemical reagents within the schools, institutes and research centers of Universidad Nacional. In addition, they were identified the chemicals hazardous classes of the reagents of larger and lesser utilization within the university laboratories. An adequate chemical reagent management, along with a classification system based upon risk categories, is necessary in order to establish a safe working environment in university laboratories. Classification of chemical reagents permits reduction of the administrative, economical, legal, safety, and technical expenses associated with chemical emergencies management; furthermore, it allows the development and application of preventive work practices by students and university personnel during chemical reagent manipulation.Durante el periodo 2008-2010 se realizaron inventarios de los reactivos químicos utilizados y almacenados en los laboratorios de los campus Omar Dengo y Benjamín Núñez de la Universidad Nacional. Se le solicitó a cada coordinador de laboratorio completar un formulario que incluía el nombre, la cantidad y el número CAS de los reactivos químicos almacenados y utilizados en cada laboratorio. Con estos datos, se clasificaron los reactivos de acuerdo con su categoría de peligro, utilizando el Código IMDG de la Organización de las Naciones Unidas (ONU). La clasificación de los reactivos químicos permitió el desarrollo de sus patrones de distribución en las diferentes unidades, institutos y centros de investigación de la Universidad Nacional. Además, se identificaron las clases de reactivos de mayor y menor uso en los laboratorios de la institución. El adecuado manejo de los reactivos químicos, con su correspondiente clasificación basada en la categoría de riesgo, es la base principal para la implementación de un ambiente seguro de trabajo en los laboratorios. La clasificación de los reactivos químicos permite minimizar los costos administrativos, económicos, legales, de seguridad y técnicos asociados con la atención de emergencias químicas; permitiendo además el desarrollo y aplicación de prácticas de trabajo preventivas por parte de funcionarios y estudiantes durante la manipulación de estas sustancias

Clasificación de reactivos químicos en los laboratorios de la Universidad Nacional

During 2008-2010 inventories of chemical reagents used and stored in teaching and research laboratories of Omar Dengo and Benjamín Núñez campuses of National University were generated. E ach laboratory coordinator was asked to fill out a form that included name, quantity and CAS number of every chemical reagent stored and utilized in the laboratories. Chemical reagents were then classified according to the risk categories described by the United Nations IMDG Code. Such a classification process allowed the development of distribution patterns of the chemical reagents within the schools, institutes and research centers of Universidad Nacional. In addition, they were identified the chemicals hazardous classes of the reagents of larger and lesser utilization within the university laboratories. An adequate chemical reagent management, along with a classification system based upon risk categories, is necessary in order to establish a safe working environment in university laboratories. Classification of chemical reagents permits reduction of the administrative, economical, legal, safety, and technical expenses associated with chemical emergencies management; furthermore, it allows the development and application of preventive work practices by students and university personnel during chemical reagent manipulation.Durante el periodo 2008-2010 se realizaron inventarios de los reactivos químicos utilizados y almacenados en los laboratorios de los campus Omar Dengo y Benjamín Núñez de la Universidad Nacional. Se le solicitó a cada coordinador de laboratorio completar un formulario que incluía el nombre, la cantidad y el número CAS de los reactivos químicos almacenados y utilizados en cada laboratorio. Con estos datos, se clasificaron los reactivos de acuerdo con su categoría de peligro, utilizando el Código IMDG de la Organización de las Naciones Unidas (ONU). La clasificación de los reactivos químicos permitió el desarrollo de sus patrones de distribución en las diferentes unidades, institutos y centros de investigación de la Universidad Nacional. Además, se identificaron las clases de reactivos de mayor y menor uso en los laboratorios de la institución. El adecuado manejo de los reactivos químicos, con su correspondiente clasificación basada en la categoría de riesgo, es la base principal para la implementación de un ambiente seguro de trabajo en los laboratorios. La clasificación de los reactivos químicos permite minimizar los costos administrativos, económicos, legales, de seguridad y técnicos asociados con la atención de emergencias químicas; permitiendo además el desarrollo y aplicación de prácticas de trabajo preventivas por parte de funcionarios y estudiantes durante la manipulación de estas sustancias

Uso de agroquímicos en el cultivo de papa en Pacayas, Cartago, Costa Rica

The objective of this work was to produce a diagnostic of the use of pesticides and other agro-chemicals by potato growers in Cartago, Costa Rica. The use of pesticides and fertilizers in potato fields of the Plantón Pacayas Watershed in Cartago, Costa Rica were diagnosed using field surveys, between 2006 and 2009. It was found that, on average, each farmer uses 32.8 kg of pesticide active ingredient per hectare per cycle (kg ai/ha/cycle), in a wide range of 10.9 to 88.3 kg. Weighted average pesticide use per hectare was found to be 42.6 kg ai/ha/cycle and 1879 kg/cycle of formulated fertilizers, representing a relatively high use compared to other intensive crops. The largest group used is fungicides-bactericides with 30 ai, representing 85.7% of all pesticides used, followed by insecticides (25 ai and 11.0%) and herbicides (4 ai and 3.3%). The most widely used pesticide is the fungicide mancozeb, come next by chlorothalonil and propineb; other high-use pesticides are fosetyl aluminum, cartap, methamidophos, endosulfan and paraquat. Unregistered and recognized toxic (acute and chronic toxicity) pesticides are used for potato production. Large area producers of potatoes use a higher quantity of pesticides, but use far less variety than smaller ones. More pesticides and fertilizers are during the rainy season from May to December.El objetivo del presente trabajo fue realizar un diagnóstico de uso de plaguicidas y otros agroquímicos, a los productores de papa en Cartago, Costa Rica. Se emplearon cuestionarios de campo entre los años 2006 y 2009 en la microcuenca de las quebradas Plantón y Pacayas. Cada productor como promedio utilizó 32,8 kilogramos de ingrediente activo (i.a.) de plaguicida por hectárea por ciclo, en un rango de 10,9 a 88,3. Como uso ponderado por hectárea se calculó un valor de 42,6 kg i.a./ha/ciclo para plaguicidas y de 1879 kg de fertilizante formulado/ciclo. El grupo de mayor uso lo constituyeron los fungicidas-bactericidas con 30 i.a. y 85,7% del total de plaguicidas, le siguen los insecticidas (25 i.a. y 11,0%) y los herbicidas (4 i.a. y 3,3%). El agroquímico de mayor uso fue el mancozeb, seguido de propineb y clorotalonil; otros productos de alto empleo fueron fosetil aluminio, cartap, metamidofos, paraquat y endosulfan. Se utilizaron agroquímicos no registrados para papa y con reconocida toxicidad aguda y crónica. Los productores con mayor área cultivada adicionaron la mayor cantidad de plaguicida, mientras que en áreas menores el consumo fue menor pero se utilizó un mayor número de productos. Se utilizó más cantidad de plaguicidas y fertilizantes durante la época lluviosa de mayo a diciembre