Summary
This cross-sectional biomonitoring study characterises pesticide exposure gradients across occupational, para-occupational, and general populations in Morocco's Fez-Meknes region. Farmers demonstrated the highest urinary concentrations of WHO Ia/Ib-classified pesticides, whilst indirectly exposed individuals and urban controls showed moderate and residual contamination respectively. The findings underscore occupational health risks in North African agriculture and evidence secondary environmental contamination extending into urban areas, with modifiable risk factors including personal protective equipment use and access to treated water.
Regional applicability
Whilst conducted in Morocco, the study's findings on occupational pesticide exposure, secondary environmental contamination pathways, and the protective effect of personal protective equipment and improved water access are relevant to United Kingdom agricultural workers and food safety policy, though UK regulatory frameworks and enforcement differ substantially. Direct applicability to UK farm conditions is limited, but the biomonitoring methodology and exposure gradient mapping may inform UK occupational health surveillance.
Key measures
Urinary pesticide concentrations (µg/L) measured by LC-MS/MS; WHO pesticide hazard classifications; sociodemographic and exposure-related risk factors
Outcomes reported
The study measured urinary pesticide concentrations via LC-MS/MS across three exposure groups (farmers, indirectly exposed residents, and controls) in rural and urban areas of Morocco's Fez-Meknes region. It identified sociodemographic and behavioural risk factors associated with elevated pesticide exposure, including low education, agricultural residence, untreated water consumption, and protective equipment use.
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