Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention

Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention (아시아태평양암예방학회)
권호 표지
DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

Critical Review on the Carcinogenic Potential of Pesticides Used in Korea

  • Choi, Sangjun (Department of Occupational Health, Catholic University of Daegu)
  • Published : 2014.08.15
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

Pesticides used in Korea are grouped by four classes of hazard (extremely, highly, moderately and slightly hazardous) based on acute oral and dermal toxicity in the rat. However, there is little information of carcinogenic effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate potential carcinogenicity for active ingredients of pesticides used in Korea. A total of 1,283 pesticide items were registered under the Pesticide Control Act of which 987 were commercially available. Of these 987 items, 360 active ingredients not duplicated were evaluated for carcinogenicity using the carcinogen list established by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Some 25 out of 360 ingredients were classified as likely to be carcinogenic (probable) to humans and 52 had suggestive evidence of carcinogenic potential (suspected) based on the US EPA classification. Some 31% of 987 items contained probable or suspected human carcinogenic ingredients. Carcinogenic pesticides accounted for 24% (5,856/24,795 tons) of the total volume of consumption in Korea. Interestingly, pesticides with lower acute toxicity were found to have higher carcinogenic potential. Based on these findings, the study suggests that it is important to provide information on long-term toxicity to farmers, in addition to acute toxicity data.

Keywords

References

  1. Alavanja MC, Ross MK, Bonner MR (2013). Increased cancer burden among pesticide applicators and others due to pesticide exposure. CA Cancer J Clin, 63, 120-42. https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21170
  2. Balasubramaniam G, Saoba S, Sarade M, Pinjare S (2013). Casecontrol study of risk factors for non-Hodgkin lymphoma in Mumbai, India. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 14, 775-80. https://doi.org/10.7314/APJCP.2013.14.2.775
  3. Doolan G, Benke G, Giles G (2014). An update on occupation and prostate cancer. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 15, 501-16. https://doi.org/10.7314/APJCP.2014.15.2.501
  4. Ganesh B, Sushama S, Monika S, Suvarna P (2011). A casecontrol study of risk factors for lung cancer in Mumbai, India. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 12, 357-62.
  5. KCPA (Korea Crop Protection Association) (2009). Agrochemcials year book 2009. Korea Crop Protection Association. Seoul. Korea (in Korean).
  6. Koutros S, Alavanja MCR, Lubin JH, et al (2010). An update of cancer incidence in the Agricultural Health Study. J Occup Environ Med, 52, 1098-105. https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0b013e3181f72b7c
  7. KRDA (Korea Rural Development Administration) (2009). Criteria for Limited Handling, Notice No. 2009-11.
  8. Luqman M, Javed MM, Daud S, et al (2014). Risk factors for lung cancer in the Pakistani population. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 15, 3035-9. https://doi.org/10.7314/APJCP.2014.15.7.3035
  9. Merhi M, Raynal H, Cahuzac E, et al (2007). Occupational exposure to pesticides and risk of hematopoietic cancers: meta-analysis of case-control studies. Cancer Causes Control, 18, 1209-26. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-007-9061-1
  10. MFAFF (Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery) (2010). Registration of pesticide. Chapter 3. In: Pesticide Control Act.
  11. Ministry of Labor (1995). Preparations excluded from preparation, keeping, etc.,of Material Safety Data Sheet. Article 32-2. In : Enforcement Decree of the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Presidential Decree No. 14787, Oct. 13, 1995.
  12. OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) (2008). Environmental performance of agriculture in OECD countries since 1990. Paris. France.
  13. Schinasi L, Leon ME (2014). Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and occupational exposure to agricultural pesticide chemical groups and active ingredients: a systematic review and metaanalysis. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 11, 4449-527. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph110404449
  14. Shakeel MK, George PS, Jose J, Jose J, Mathew A (2010). Pesticides and breast cancer risk: a comparison between developed and developing countries. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 11, 173-80.
  15. UN (United Nations) (2011). Globally harmonized system of classification and labeling of chemicals (GHS). ST/SG/AC. 10/30/Rev.4. New York and Geneva. 163-172.
  16. US EPA (US Environmental Protection Agency) (1986). Guidelines for carcinogen risk assessment. Federal Register 51(185):33992-34003.
  17. US EPA (US Environmental Protection Agency) (1996). Proposed guidelines for carcinogen risk assessment. Federal Register 61,17960-18011.
  18. US EPA (US Environmental Protection Agency) (1999). Guidelines for carcinogen risk assessment (review draft). Risk Assessment Forum, Washington, DC. NCEA-F-0644.
  19. US EPA (US Environmental Protection Agency) (2005). Guidelines for carcinogen risk assessment. EPA/630/P-03/001B.
  20. US EPA (US Environmental Protection Agency) (2009). About EPA's pesticide program.
  21. Van Maele-Fabry G, Willems JL (2004). Prostate cancer among pesticide applicators: a meta-analysis. Int Arch Occup Environ Health, 77, 559-70. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-004-0548-8
  22. VanMaele-Fabry G, Duhayon S, Martens C, Lison D (2008). Risk of leukaemia among pesticide manufacturing workers: a review and meta-analysis of cohort studies. Environ Res, 106, 121-37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2007.09.002
  23. Yildirim M, Karakilinc H, Yildiz M, et al (2013). Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and pesticide exposure in Turkey. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 14, 3461-3. https://doi.org/10.7314/APJCP.2013.14.6.3461
  24. Yildirim M, Kaya V, Yildiz M, et al (2014). Esophageal cancer, gastric cancer and the use of pesticides in the Southwestern of Turkey. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 15, 2821-3. https://doi.org/10.7314/APJCP.2014.15.6.2821
  25. Zhang WJ, Jiangn FB, Ou JF (2011). Global pesticide consumption and pollution: with China as a focus. Proc Intl Acad Ecol Environ Sci, 1, 125-44.