Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Horticulture, faculty of Agriculture, Al-Qadisiyah University, Iraq.
2
Plant Protection Department, faculty of Agriculture, Al-Muthanna University, Iraq.
3
University of Al-Qadisiyah, Al-Qadisiyah, Iraq.
4
Department of Pesticide Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Desert and Environmental Agriculture, Matrouh University, Matrouh, Egypt.
Abstract
Pesticides are widely used for crop protection, increasing agricultural product yield, and public health programs. Traditional pesticides include insecticides, herbicides, rodenticides, miticides, fungicides, nematicides, fumigants, and antimicrobial agents. However, these pesticides can negatively affect public health, the ecosystem, and biodiversity. We conducted a review of 162 studies and found that occupational exposure to pesticides was a major trigger for cancer development in 22 papers. Studies have shown that pesticides can cause immunostimulation or immunosuppression, leading to diseases like cancer.
Industrialized nations have seen an increase in these disorders in recent decades due to immune system changes. Tumor patterns are shifting, with an increase in prostate cancer, melanoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. Despite limited human studies, many pesticides, such as organophosphate, organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), neonicotinoid insecticides (NEOs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), are positively connected with the likelihood of developing cancer, and some are thought to contribute to cancer promotion. The study highlights the importance of increasing education on pesticide exposure to prevent malignancies and emphasizes the need for workers to be trained on safety procedures and hazardous substances. As such, public health programs should prioritize this.
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