Exposure to high amounts of malathion, a substance used in insecticides, is associated with a 25% higher risk of kidney dysfunction.
- Risk factors for this pathology traditionally include age, hypertension and diabetes.
- This study is the first to provide evidence to link malathion to the risk of poor kidney health.
- Malathion is a product authorized for use in agriculture, domestic and public recreation areas to eradicate mosquitoes and flies, but also against lice.
More and more studies highlight the negative effects of pesticides on health. A recent research, carried out using data from 41,487 people collected through the Australian Health Study National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), showed an association between the use of malathion, an insecticide, and an increased risk of chronic kidney disease. The results were presented on September 29 in theInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
A 25% increased risk
Exposure to high quantities of mathalion would increase the risk of renal dysfunction by 25%. “Nearly one in 10 people in high-income countries have signs of chronic kidney disease, which is permanent kidney damage and loss of kidney functioncontinues Nicholas Osborne, one of the authors of the study. The number of affected patients is also increasing in low- to middle-income countries such as India, Sri Lanka and South America..”
Risk factors for this pathology traditionally include age, hypertension and diabetes. “Initially, the disease was suspected to be associated with the agricultural workplace through exposure to heat stress, dehydration, pesticide spraying, heavy metals and agrochemicals.says Nicholas Osborne. However, environmental contamination, pesticide residues, and herbal medicines potentially containing heavy metals may also contribute to chronic kidney disease..”
Limit exposure to pesticides
The researchers assure that this study is the first to provide evidence to establish a link between malathion and the risk of poor kidney health. “Findings suggest we should limit our exposure to pesticides, even at very small doses, as chronic exposure can lead to negative health effectsemphasizes Dr. Osborne. We will continue to research whether other pesticides may be involved and plan to collect data on the behaviors of Sri Lankan farmers to examine their level of exposure when using pesticides in the field..”
Malathion is a product authorized for use in agriculture, domestic and public recreational areas to eradicate mosquitoes and flies. It can also be found in some topical head lice treatments.
