The Impact of Pesticides Exposure on Thyroid Function in Rafsanjan Farmers in ۲۰۲۳-۲۰۲۴: A Case-Control Study

Introduction: Pesticides, particularly highly toxic organophosphates, are widely used in agriculture and can disrupt the endocrine system. This study aims to determine thyroid function indicators in agricultural workers exposed to pesticides in Rafsanjan city, Iran, in ۲۰۲۳. Material and Methods: This ۱۰-month (from March ۲۰۲۳ to January ۲۰۲۴) case-control study involved ۱۵۰ participants (men farmers) divided into three groups: pesticide-spraying farmers, rural non-farmers, and urban non-exposed individuals. Socio-demographic information, medical history, and lifestyle factors data were collected by a detailed checklist. Thyroid enzyme levels, including thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), total triiodothyronine (TT۳), total thyroxine (TT۴), and free thyroxine (FT۴) were tested by ELISA kits. The collected data were analyzed and compared across the groups by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), chi-square and Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results: Significant differences were observed in serum levels of thyroid function indicators such as TSH, Total T۴, and Free T۴ among the three groups (spraying farmers, rural residents near pistachio orchards, and urban residents), except for Total T۳, which showed no significant difference. Moreover, there was a relationship between thyroid function variables in the spraying group and factors such as using personal protective equipment (PPE), days of spraying per year, hours of spraying per day, distance from home to pistachio orchards, and levels of pesticide exposure. However, these relationships were not statistically significant. Conclusion: The study found no significant effect of pesticide exposure on thyroid function, possibly due to minimal skin contact and equipment maintenance practices among farmers. Further investigations are recommended.

Keywords:

Environmental Exposure , Farmers , Pesticides , Organophosphorus Pesticides , Thyroid Hormones.