Environmental Health in Israel | 2014

Biological Monitoring of Organophosphate Metabolites A survey conducted by the MoH and published in 2013 measured exposure of the adult population in Israel to organophosphate pesticides, which have been linked to a range of negative effects on human health. Six organophosphates metabolites (dialkylphosphates) were measured in urine samples. Dialkylphosphates were detected in each of the samples, with increased concentrations among individuals who reported higher consumption of fruits. The study found that exposure of the general population in Israel to organophosphates is higher than that of the general population in either the US or Canada. For more information on the results of this survey, see the Chapter on Biomonitoring. Data on Pesticide Poisoning The Beterem organization published a report on childhood pesticide poisoning in the period from 2008 to 2013. The data indicate that nearly 75% of the affected children were four years old or younger. Most of the cases occurred among Arab children, particularly Bedouins. The data indicate that most of the incidents occurred at home or adjacent to the home. According to data from the Israel Poison Information Center at Rambam Hospital there were over 550 cases of pesticide poisoning in 2013. Research on Health Effects of Pesticides in Israel  Researchers from the Hebrew University Center of Excellence in Agriculture and Environmental Health in collaboration with the National Food Service at the MoH are studying childhood exposure to pesticides in Israel. The study found that exposure of children ages four to seven is high compared to that of adults.  Researchers from the Hebrew University Center of Excellence in Agriculture and Environmental Health are studying the impact of organophosphate pesticides on the endocrine system and on fetal development.  Researchers from the Hebrew University Center of Excellence in Agriculture and Environmental Health are studying the levels of organophosphate metabolites in agricultural products with the aim of determining the sources of organophosphate metabolites found in urine samples from the general population.  Researchers from Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Shaare Zedek Medical Center are studying the long-term health effects of environmental exposure to pesticides in children and adults in kibbutzim, such as the impact on the peripheral nervous system and on cognition.  In 2015, the MoH plans to measure organophosphate metabolites in urine from a representative sample of adults and children in order to determine whether policy to reduce agricultural use of organophosphates has been effective in reducing public exposure. - 43 - Pesticides