Urinary biomonitoring of exposure to glyphosate and its metabolite amino-methyl phosphonic acid among farmers and non-farmers in Morocco

Zineb Ben Khadda ¹, Simona Gabriela Bungau ², Souleiman El Balkhi ³

¹Laboratory of Epidemiology and Research in Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University, Fez 30070, Morocco.
²Doctoral School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Oradea, Oradea 410087, Romania; Department of Pharmacy, University of Oradea, Oradea 410028, Romania.
³Department of Pharmacology, toxicology and pharmacovigilance, CHU Limoges, France.
⁴Microbiology Unit, Laboratory of Bioresources, Biotechnology, Ethnopharmacology and Health, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy Oujda, University Mohammed Premier, Oujda 60000, Morocco.
⁵Doctoral School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Oradea, Oradea 410087, Romania; Department of Preclinical Disciplines, University of Oradea, Oradea 410073, Romania.
⁶Laboratory of Epidemiology and Research in Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University, Fez 30070, Morocco; Department of Nephrology, University of Hospital Hassan II, Fez, Morocco.
⁷Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital Hassan II, Fez, Morocco; Biomedical and Translational Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of the Fez, University of Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah, Fez, Morocco.

⁰Laboratory of Epidemiology and Research in Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University, Fez 30070, Morocco.

Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology +

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December 24, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Farmers in Morocco show higher urinary glyphosate and AMPA levels due to herbicide exposure. However, health risk assessments indicate acceptable exposure levels for the studied population.

Area Of Science

Environmental Science
Toxicology
Public Health

Background

Glyphosate is a widely used herbicide with potential health risks.
Exposure can occur through environmental and dietary pathways.
Assessing exposure levels is crucial for public health.

Purpose Of The Study

To evaluate urinary glyphosate and AMPA concentrations in farmers and non-farmers in Morocco.
To assess sociodemographic factors influencing exposure.
To determine health risks associated with glyphosate and AMPA exposure.

Main Methods

Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used for analysis.
Urinary samples were collected from farmers, indirectly exposed residents, and controls.
Estimated daily intakes (EDIs) and hazard quotients (HQs) were calculated.

Main Results

Glyphosate was detected in 57.14% of farmers, higher than controls.
AMPA was detected in 5.35% of farmers.
Higher glyphosate and AMPA levels were associated with reusing pesticide containers and certain sociodemographic factors.

Conclusions

Farmers exhibited higher urinary glyphosate and AMPA levels.
Calculated hazard quotients were below 1, suggesting acceptable health risks.
Exposure levels were influenced by agricultural practices and container reuse.

Keywords:

Amino-methyl phosphonic acid Glyphosate Herbicides LC-MS/MS Toxicity