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Volume 13
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10.3390/toxics13050340
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Study Protocol

Occupational Exposure to Pesticides Among Farmworkers in Morocco: A Study Framework for Endocrine and Epigenetic Effect Assessment

by
Kaoutar Chbihi
1,2,*,
Aziza Menouni
2,
Imane Berni
3,
Hala Chetouani
1,
Said Abou-Said
1,
Amal Amellah
1,
Robin Lebegge
2,
Eline Verscheure
2,
Jeroen Vanoirbeek
2,
Radu-Corneliu Duca
2,4,
Lode Godderis
2,5 and
Samir El Jaafari
1
1
Human Epidemiology and Environmental Health Team, Faculty of Sciences, Moulay Ismail University, Meknes 50000, Morocco
2
Environment & Health Unit, Department of Public Health & Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
3
Higher Institution of Nursing Professions and Health Techniques, Laâyoune 70000, Morocco
4
Unit of Environmental Hygiene and Human Biological Monitoring, Laboratoire National de Santé (LNS), Department of Health Protection, L-3555 Dudelange, Luxembourg
5
IDEWE, External Service for Prevention and Protection at Work, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Toxics 2025, 13(5), 340; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13050340
Submission received: 21 February 2025 / Revised: 31 March 2025 / Accepted: 10 April 2025 / Published: 25 April 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hazardous Effects of Pesticides on Human Health—2nd Edition)
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Abstract

Pesticides are compounds of major use in agriculture worldwide. Nevertheless, many pesticide chemicals are classified as endocrine disruptors and potentially carcinogens. Farmers and farmworkers are particularly exposed and are at high risk of developing health-related impairments. In Morocco, the lack of awareness towards pesticide hazards and the inappropriate application of safety measures might increase the exposure as well as the risks of health concerns. In this paper, we present the framework of a study designed to assess pesticide exposure among Moroccan farmers and farmworkers and to evaluate potential health effects, namely endocrine and epigenetic impacts. Human biological monitoring will be conducted to determine pesticide levels in urine following the development and validation of sensitive chromatography methods (SPE, UPLC-MS/MS). Biomarkers of exposure include a set of parent and metabolite pesticide compounds (organophosphates, pyrethroids, triazines and urea-based pesticides). Thyroid and reproductive hormones (TSH, T3, T4, FSH and LH) as well as global and specific DNA methylation markers (5-mC, 5-hmC, N6-mA, THRB and LHR) are selected as biomarkers of effects. This provides guiding steps and methods to perform reliable exposure evaluation and health impact assessment. This study aims to expand the current knowledge on the endocrine and epigenetic risks related to pesticides, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
Keywords: DNA methylation; exposure; endocrine disruptors; farmworkers; human biomonitoring; Morocco; pesticides; risk assessment DNA methylation; exposure; endocrine disruptors; farmworkers; human biomonitoring; Morocco; pesticides; risk assessment
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MDPI and ACS Style

Chbihi, K.; Menouni, A.; Berni, I.; Chetouani, H.; Abou-Said, S.; Amellah, A.; Lebegge, R.; Verscheure, E.; Vanoirbeek, J.; Duca, R.-C.; et al. Occupational Exposure to Pesticides Among Farmworkers in Morocco: A Study Framework for Endocrine and Epigenetic Effect Assessment. Toxics 2025, 13, 340. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13050340

AMA Style

Chbihi K, Menouni A, Berni I, Chetouani H, Abou-Said S, Amellah A, Lebegge R, Verscheure E, Vanoirbeek J, Duca R-C, et al. Occupational Exposure to Pesticides Among Farmworkers in Morocco: A Study Framework for Endocrine and Epigenetic Effect Assessment. Toxics. 2025; 13(5):340. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13050340

Chicago/Turabian Style

Chbihi, Kaoutar, Aziza Menouni, Imane Berni, Hala Chetouani, Said Abou-Said, Amal Amellah, Robin Lebegge, Eline Verscheure, Jeroen Vanoirbeek, Radu-Corneliu Duca, and et al. 2025. "Occupational Exposure to Pesticides Among Farmworkers in Morocco: A Study Framework for Endocrine and Epigenetic Effect Assessment" Toxics 13, no. 5: 340. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13050340

APA Style

Chbihi, K., Menouni, A., Berni, I., Chetouani, H., Abou-Said, S., Amellah, A., Lebegge, R., Verscheure, E., Vanoirbeek, J., Duca, R.-C., Godderis, L., & El Jaafari, S. (2025). Occupational Exposure to Pesticides Among Farmworkers in Morocco: A Study Framework for Endocrine and Epigenetic Effect Assessment. Toxics, 13(5), 340. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13050340

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