A study of the impact of agricultural pesticide use on the prevalence of birth defects in northeast Italy

Pesticides are probably the most frequently deliberately released toxic chemicals into the environment. However, although the results of experimental studies indicate developmental toxicity hazards for several groups of chemicals used, the studies in humans are contradictory. There are specific regulations in the European Union (EU) regarding the use of pesticides and there is also considerable awareness about possible related health problems. In order to investigate whether, in the current EU situation, the use of certain pesticides could be associated with adverse health effects in the outcome of pregnancies, we have performed a 6-year study in an agricultural area in the Veneto Region of, northeastern Italy, where we have been able to define the exact quantity and type of pesticides as well as the exposed population, in order to quantify the risk of congenital malformations related to the use of pesticides. Data on congenital malformations were obtained from the northeast Italy Congenital malformation Registry, using several sources of ascertainment, while pesticide use were obtained through interviews with users and sellers. The municipalities of three contiguous provinces were divided into those with a high, low or intermediate use of pesticides. In the study period there was a total of 146,239 consecutive pregnancies terminating in birth or induced abortion because of congenital malformation. No significant differences in the prevalence of congenital malformations were observed between the three different areas (high, low, intermediate risk). Our study confirms that in countries such as Italy, where there is close control of the use of pesticides, there is no epidemiological evidence that pesticides have any effect on the prevalence of congenital malformations.