Determining the Percentage of Endocrine Disruptor Chemicals in Pesticides used in Fars Province

Recent studies have shown that certain man-made compounds (including some pesticides) have the capability to induce developmental and reproductive abnormalities in humans and animals by interfering with endocrine system. Pesticides are currently being used a on large scale in many developed and developing countries (including Iran), so this study has been conducted to determine the percentage of endocrine disruptor agents in pesticides used in Fars Province. The results showed that more than 1,581,690 liters of pesticides from 86 different brands, have been used in Fars province during the Iranian year 1380 (2001/2) and 25.93% (34 types) of them had at least one carcinogenic agent. At least 30 pesticides (711,720 liters or 44.99%) had one endocrine disruptor agent and therefore can be classified as environmental hormones or endocrine disruptor chemicals. The percentage of pesticides found to be interfering with normal endocrine system activity were 7.82% (66,572 liters), 4.54% (39,975 liters), 22.02% (348,400 liters), 5.12% (81,000 liters) and 21.18% (34,500 liters) which were antiestrogenic, antiandorgenic, antityroidic, antigonadotropin and anitestroid hormones, respectively. The results showed that about 50% of pesticides currently being used in Fars Province should be prohibited.