Authors: Sanin, Luz-Helena¹; Carrasquilla, Gabriel²; Solomon, Keith³; Cole, Donald⁴; Marshall, E. J. P.⁵

Source: Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health Part A, Volume 72, Numbers 15-16, January 2009 , pp. 949-960(12)

Publisher: Taylor and Francis Ltd

Abstract:

The objective of this study was to test whether there was an association between the use of glyphosate when applied by aerial spray for the eradication of illicit crops (cocaine and poppy) and time to pregnancy (TTP) among fertile women. A retrospective cohort study (with an ecological exposure index) of first pregnancies was undertaken in 2592 fertile Colombian women from 5 regions with different uses of glyphosate. Women were interviewed regarding potential reproductive, lifestyle, and work history predictors of TTP, which was measured in months. Fecundability odds ratios (fOR) were estimated using a discrete time analogue of Cox's proportional hazard model. There were differences in TTP between regions. In the final multivariate model, the main predictor was the region adjusted by irregular relationship with partner, maternal age at first pregnancy, and, marginally, coffee consumption and self-perception of water pollution. Boyaca, a region with traditional crops and. recently, illicit crops without glyphosate eradication spraying (manual eradication), displayed minimal risk and was the reference region. Other regions, including Sierra Nevada (control area, organic agriculture), Putumayo and Narino (illicit crops and intensive eradication spray program), and Valle del Cauca, demonstrated greater risk of longer TTP, with the highest risk for Valle del Cauca (fOR 0.15, 95% CI 0.12, 0.18), a sugar-cane region with a history of use of glyphosate and others chemicals for more than 30 yr. The reduced fecundability in some regions was not associated with the use of glyphosate for eradication spraying. The observed ecological differences remain unexplained and may be produced by varying exposures to environmental factors, history of contraceptive programs in the region, or psychological distress. Future studies examining these or other possible causes are needed.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15287390902929691

Affiliations: 1: Universidad Autonoma de Chihuahua, FEN, Mexico,Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada,National Institute of Public Health, Mexico City, Mexico 2: Department of Microbiology, School of Health Sciences, University of Valle, Cali, Colombia 3: Centre for Toxicology and Department of Environmental Biology, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada 4: Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada,Institute for Work and Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada 5: Marshall Agroecology Limited, Winscombe, Somerset, United Kingdom

Publication date: 2009-01-01

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