Exposure of children to glyphosate in Morocco: Urinary levels and predictors of exposure

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Glyphosate is one of the most frequently used organophosphorus plant protection products worldwide, and has recently been classified as probably carcinogenic to humans by the International Agency for Research and Cancer (IARC) METHOD: We aimed to evaluate the urinary levels of glyphosate and its metabolite aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) in Moroccan children, to identify the main predictors and to perform a risk assessment. Data was collected during a cross sectional study of 48 children from an intensive agricultural area. Urinary glyphosate and AMPA were extracted using solid phase extraction (SPE) and analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). RESULTS: Urinary glyphosate and AMPA were extracted using solid phase extraction (SPE) and analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Overall, glyphosate and AMPA were detected in 73% and 75% of urine samples, respectively. The mean concentrations were 0.97 μg L− 1 (2.06 μg/gcreatinine) for glyphosate and 0.79 μg L− 1 (1.52 μg/gcreatinine) for AMPA. Children younger than 5 years had a higher AMPA and glyphosate urine concentration than children aged 6–12. Children living near the pesticide spraying fields (50 m) had 14.91 μg L− 1 and 2.35 μg L− 1 more glyphosate and AMPA, respectively, than children living in urban counties. The HQs were calculated considering 0.5 mg/kg BW/day as an acceptable daily intake (ADI), which EFSA has established as a healthbased reference value for both analytes. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides further evidence on factors associated with glyphosate exposure, especially in developing countries