Effect of Pesticide Exposure on Hematological Parameters in Vietnamese Fruit Farmers—A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: The goal of this study is to investigate the differences in hematological parameters between pesticide-exposed fruit farmers and a non-exposed control group at a province in Northern Vietnam in 2022.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 150 participants, including 100 pesticide-exposed farmers and 50 non-exposed controls at the intense fruit cultivation areas in Northern Vietnam. A face-to-face interview with both the fruit farmers and the control group was conducted by the trained research assistants using a structured questionnaire to collect the demographic characteristics and health behaviors of all 150 study participants. The blood samples were collected via venipuncture to be tested for complete blood count (CBC) parameters, including Red Blood Cells  (RBC, HGB, HCT, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW), White Blood Cells (WBC, NEU, LYM, MONO, EOS, BASO), and Platelets (PLT, MPV, PCT, PDW). 

Results: Significant differences were observed in several hematological parameters (p < 0.05). The values of  MCHC, WBC, NEU (%), and PLT of the farmers (316.44 ± 10.59 g/L; 6.21 ± 1.60 G/L; 49.53 ± 8.36; 215.49 ± 64.99 G/L, respectively) were statistically different with those of the controls (334.09 ± 16.20 g/L; 5.37 ± 1.66 G/L; 46.21 ± 7.73; 238.68 ± 56.70 G/L; p = 0.0038, 0.0029, 0.019, 0.0334 respectively). In addition, 10.2% of the exposed group, who had worked in the fruit fields and were exposed to pesticides for over 20 years, had abnormal MCHC levels, resulting in lower mean value of MCHC for this group compared to the control group as mentioned above. After adjusting for the main measurable confounders in the multivariable model, only occupational pesticide exposure remained a significant predictor for MCHC (p = 0.025), WBC (p = 0.038), and PCT (p = 0.047). The magnitude of the standardized regression coefficient beta (β) showed that the length of employment in farming or length of pesticide exposure was significantly associated with decreases in MCHC (β = -1.217) and PLT (β = -0.196) and increases in WBC (β = 0.151) levels.

Conclusions: Pesticide use among fruit farmers may cause hematological alterations. An intensive intervention to provide knowledge about the potential risks of occupational pesticide exposure,  to promote the appropriate use of personal protective equipment, and to practice hygiene protocols should be considered to minimize pesticide exposure.

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