Effects of pesticide exposure on the human immune system

• Published in: Human & experimental toxicology Vol. 27; no. 9; pp. 671 - 680
• Main Authors: Corsini, E, Liesivuori, J, Vergieva, T, Van Loveren, H, Colosio, C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.09.2008; Sage Publications; Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Environmental Exposure - adverse effects; Environmental Exposure - analysis; Epidemiology; European Union; Human exposure; Immune System - drug effects; Immune System - physiopathology; Immunity - drug effects; Immunology; Medical sciences; Pesticides; Pesticides - classification; Pesticides - poisoning; Pesticides, fertilizers and other agrochemicals toxicology; Risk Assessment; Toxicology; immune system; pesticides; immunotoxicity; Human; Immunopathology; Toxicity; Pesticides; Exposure; Review; Immune system
• ISSN: 0960-3271; 1477-0903
• DOI: 10.1177/0960327108094509

Epidemiological evidence from Western countries indicates that the prevalence of diseases associated with alterations in the immune response, such as asthma, certain autoimmune diseases and cancer, are increasing to such an extent that it cannot be attributed to improved diagnostics alone. There is some concern that this trend could be, at least, partially attributable to new or modified patterns of exposures to chemicals, including pesticides. The purpose of this article is to review the evidence on pesticide immunotoxicity in humans. Overall, the available data are inadequate to draw firm conclusions on the immunotoxic risk associated with pesticide exposure. The available studies on the effects of pesticides on the human immune system have several limitations, including limited data on exposure levels, heterogeneity of the applied methods, and difficulties in assessing the prognostic significance of observed slight changes and in the interpretation of the reported findings. Further studies are needed and preferably as prospective studies, comparing pre- and post-exposure data in the same group of subjects and including an appropriate non-exposed control group. More knowledge is required regarding the prognostic significance of the small changes observed.