Abstract
The objective of the study was to identify and analyse the research done on the occurrence of cancer among pesticide applicators by conducting a systematic review of the scientific literature. PRISMA Guidelines was followed to conduct the study. Search was done in Scopus, PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE and Google Scholar databases with search terms “PESTICIDE APPLICATORS”, “CANCER” using Boolean operator “AND”. Meta-analysis and review articles were excluded from the study. A total of 32 studies were identified among which the average sample size was found to be 60,521. Increased RRs/ORs and positive exposure–response relationships were observed for 31 pesticides. Organophosphate and organochlorine classes of pesticides were the most to be associated with cancer. Lung cancer was observed the most followed by prostate, multiple myeloma and colon cancers among pesticide applicators. It was concluded that there is an increased risk of cancer among the pesticide applicators, whereby which bringing into focus the need to educate and train the workers on following adequate safety measures and making them aware of the hazardous chemicals. Further evaluation on the carcinogenicity of pesticides is also required.
Acknowledgment
Sincere thanks to God the Almighty, colleagues and faculties of Nirmala College of Pharmacy, Kerala, India.
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Research funding: Authors state no funding involved.
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Author contributions: All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.
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Competing interests: Authors state no conflict of interest.
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Informed consent: Informed consent is not applicable.
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Ethical approval: The conducted research is not related to either human or animal use.
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