P-363 ASSESSING GLYPHOSATE AND AMPA EXPOSURE AMONG FARMERS USING A HUMAN BIOMONITORING STRATEGY

Abstract

Abstract Introduction There are extensive data on the toxicity of glyphosate (GLY) based herbicides (GBH), however the interpretation of some data (e.g. carcinogenic effect) are subject to controversy. For the appropriate health risk assessment more data on exposure levels in farmers and their family are needed. The aims of the present study were to estimate the exposure to GLY and its major metabolite aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) in farmers that lived in intensively farmed area in Morocco. Methods The levels were used as proxies for exposure of these target population to herbicides. Urine was collected from 104 farmers and information from sociodemographic characteristics and occupational expo-sure was collected from questionnaires administrated to farmers and spouses. Urinary glyphosate and AMPA were extracted using solid phase extraction (SPE) and analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Results and discussion The detection frequency (DFs) was 67% for glyphosate and 62% for AMPA among farmers, with the mean concentration of 1.22 μg L−1 and 0.85 μg L−1 respectively. Multiple regression analysis showed that smoking status, applying glyphosate in the last 7 days, and glove use are the most important contribution to urinary levels of glyphosate and AMPA among farmers. Conclusion This study provides further evidence on factors associated with glyphosate and AMPA exposure, especially in developing countries.