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A Pilot Study to Assess Inhalation Exposures among Sugarcane Workers in Guatemala: Implications for Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Origin

Author

Listed:
  • Joshua W. Schaeffer

    (Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
    Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA)

  • John L. Adgate

    (Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA)

  • Stephen J. Reynolds

    (Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
    Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA)

  • Jaime Butler-Dawson

    (Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
    Center for Health, Work and Environment, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA)

  • Lyndsay Krisher

    (Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
    Center for Health, Work and Environment, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA)

  • Miranda Dally

    (Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
    Center for Health, Work and Environment, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA)

  • Richard J. Johnson

    (Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA)

  • Katherine A. James

    (Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
    Center for Health, Work and Environment, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
    Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA)

  • Diana Jaramillo

    (Center for Health, Work and Environment, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA)

  • Lee S. Newman

    (Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
    Center for Health, Work and Environment, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
    Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
    Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA)

Abstract

Background: Sugarcane workers in Central America experience a heavy burden of chronic kidney disease of unknown origin. We conducted a pilot study among worker proxies in Guatemala to characterize exposures to particulate matter, silica, heavy metals, and glyphosate, as well as to examine potential nephrotoxic exposures. Methods: Air, soil, and ash samples were collected and analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The average mass concentration for particulate matter (PM) 2.5 and PM 100 exposures were 360 µg/m 3 (range: 32 to 1500 µg/m 3 ) and 555 µg/m 3 (range: 229 to 1170 µg/m 3 ), respectively. The elemental composition of particles was largely silicon. The amount of crystalline silica was below 5 μg, yet the percentage of total silica was ~17% by weight. Putatively, the silica was in the amorphous form. Concentrations of aluminum and calcium ranged from 2–7 μg/m 3 . Glyphosate was not detectable in analyzed air samples but was detectable at concentrations ranging from 81–165 ppb in soil samples. Conclusion: Sugarcane workers are exposed to high concentrations of particulate matter. Future studies should investigate the potential role of silica, heavy metals, and agrochemicals in the etiology of chronic kidney disease in this population.

Suggested Citation

  • Joshua W. Schaeffer & John L. Adgate & Stephen J. Reynolds & Jaime Butler-Dawson & Lyndsay Krisher & Miranda Dally & Richard J. Johnson & Katherine A. James & Diana Jaramillo & Lee S. Newman, 2020. "A Pilot Study to Assess Inhalation Exposures among Sugarcane Workers in Guatemala: Implications for Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Origin," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-15, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:16:p:5708-:d:395859
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Wesseling, C. & Crowe, J. & Hogstedt, C. & Jakobsson, K. & Lucas, R. & Wegman, D.H., 2013. "The epidemic of chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology in Mesoamerica: A call for interdisciplinary research and action," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 103(11), pages 1927-1930.
    2. Channa Jayasumana & Sarath Gunatilake & Priyantha Senanayake, 2014. "Glyphosate, Hard Water and Nephrotoxic Metals: Are They the Culprits Behind the Epidemic of Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Etiology in Sri Lanka?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-23, February.
    3. Jennifer Bragg-Gresham & Hal Morgenstern & William McClellan & Sharon Saydah & Meda Pavkov & Desmond Williams & Neil Powe & Delphine Tuot & Raymond Hsu & Rajiv Saran & for the Centers for Disease Cont, 2018. "County-level air quality and the prevalence of diagnosed chronic kidney disease in the US Medicare population," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(7), pages 1-13, July.
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