{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,11,11]],"date-time":"2026-11-11T03:14:21Z","timestamp":1794366861090,"version":"4.9.0"},"reference-count":40,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2021,7,16]],"date-time":"2021-07-16T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1626393600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100002850","name":"Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Cient\u00edfico y Tecnol\u00f3gico","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100002850","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":["frontiersin.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Front. Hum. Neurosci."],"abstract":"<jats:p>In recent years, pyrethroids have emerged as a less toxic alternative to eliminate insect pests. However, some animal studies and studies with children show that these pesticides are toxic and lead to neurobehavioral effects similar to other pesticides, such as organophosphates. The purpose of this review was to systematize the epidemiological scientific evidence about the neurobehavioral, neuromotor, and neurocognitive effects in agricultural workers and their children exposed to pyrethroid pesticides. We conducted two searches (with different terms) in PubMed and Scopus databases, including articles in Spanish and English language on the effects of occupational exposure to pyrethroid pesticides associated with neurobehavioral, neuromotor, and neurocognitive functioning of agricultural workers and their children. There were no filters by year, and the search included studies till march 2021. To develop the search, we followed the recommendations contained in the PRISMA guidelines and the PICO strategy. The results show that in 66.6% of the studies reviewed (8 of 12 studies), agricultural workers or their children occupationally exposed to pyrethroid pesticides have a higher risk of presenting difficulties in their neurocognitive, neuromotor, or neurobehavioral performance, mainly associated with attention, processing speed (linked to hand-eye coordination), and motor coordination. There are still few studies that address this issue. However, the quality of most of the research conducted (83% intermediate or high quality) confirms the risk for neurobehavioral health in agricultural workers due to occupational exposure to pyrethroids. More research is required evaluating the exposure to pyrethroids, including biomarkers and validated neurobehavioral and neuromotor tests, in addition to evaluating the effect of simultaneous exposure to other hazardous pesticides. Assuming that the use of pyrethroids is increasing considerably and faster than the scientific evidence, it is suggested as a precautionary principle to regulate, more strictly, the sale of pyrethroids and other pesticides.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3389\/fnhum.2021.648171","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2021,7,16]],"date-time":"2021-07-16T08:31:16Z","timestamp":1626424276000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":48,"title":["Neurobehavioral, Neuromotor, and Neurocognitive Effects in Agricultural Workers and Their Children Exposed to Pyrethroid Pesticides: A Review"],"prefix":"10.3389","volume":"15","author":[{"given":"Boris","family":"Lucero","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Mar\u00eda Teresa","family":"Mu\u00f1oz-Quezada","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1965","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2021,7,16]]},"reference":[{"key":"B1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"238","DOI":"10.1080\/10937404.2012.632358","article-title":"Occupational pesticide exposures and cancer risk: a review","volume":"15","author":"Alavanja","year":"2012","journal-title":"J. Toxicol. Environ. Health B. Crit. Rev."},{"key":"B2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"140591","DOI":"10.1016\/j.scitotenv.2020.140591","article-title":"Parkinson's disease and pesticides: are microRNAs the missing link?","volume":"744","author":"Aloizou","year":"2020","journal-title":"Sci. Total Environ"},{"key":"B3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"109","DOI":"10.1016\/j.envint.2012.07.007","article-title":"Environmental exposure to organophosphorus and pyrethroid pesticides in South Australian preschool children: a cross sectional study","volume":"48","author":"Babina","year":"2012","journal-title":"Environ. Int"},{"key":"B4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"143922","DOI":"10.1016\/j.scitotenv.2020.143922","article-title":"Emerging prospects of integrated bioanalytical systems in neuro-behavioral toxicology","volume":"759","author":"Bai","year":"2020","journal-title":"Sci. Total Environ"},{"key":"B5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"79","DOI":"10.1038\/jes.2008.18","article-title":"Community-based intervention to reduce pesticide exposure to farmworkers and potential take-home exposure to their families","volume":"19","author":"Bradman","year":"2009","journal-title":"J. Expo. Sci. Environ. Epidemiol"},{"key":"B6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2","DOI":"10.3390\/medicina54040061","article-title":"Current research on the safety of pyrethroids used as in- secticides","volume":"54","author":"Chrustek","year":"2018","journal-title":"Medicina"},{"key":"B7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"759","DOI":"10.1016\/j.toxrep.2020.05.003","article-title":"MicroRNAs alteration as early biomarkers for cancer and neurodegenerative diseases: new challenges in pesticides exposure","volume":"7","author":"Costa","year":"2020","journal-title":"Toxicol. Rep."},{"key":"B8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"90","DOI":"10.1016\/j.neuro.2015.02.003","article-title":"Neurobehavioral effects of exposure to organophosphates and pyrethroid pesticides among Thai children","volume":"48","author":"Fiedler","year":"2015","journal-title":"Neurotoxicology"},{"key":"B9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1263","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2019.01263","article-title":"Associations between environmental conditions and executive cognitive functioning and behavior during late childhood: a pilot study","volume":"10","author":"Fishbein","year":"2019","journal-title":"Front Psychol"},{"key":"B10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1178630217700628","DOI":"10.1177\/1178630217700628","article-title":"Neurological deficits after long-term pyrethroid exposure","volume":"11","author":"Hansen","year":"2017","journal-title":"Environ. Health Insights"},{"key":"B11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"25190","DOI":"10.1038\/srep25190","article-title":"Association between occupational exposures to pesticides with heterogeneous chemical structures and farmer health in China","volume":"6","author":"Huang","year":"2016","journal-title":"Sci. Rep"},{"key":"B12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"32","DOI":"10.15171\/ijoem.2018.1160","article-title":"Pesticide application and khat chewing as predictors of the neurological health outcomes among pesticide applicators in a vector control unit, Saudi Arabia","volume":"9","author":"Ismail","year":"2018","journal-title":"Int. J. Occup. Environ. Med."},{"key":"B13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"697","DOI":"10.1016\/j.fct.2003.12.008","article-title":"Chronic illness as a result of low-level exposure to synthetic pyrethroid insecticides: a review of the debate","volume":"42","author":"Kolaczinski","year":"2004","journal-title":"Food Chem. Toxicol"},{"key":"B14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"372","DOI":"10.1007\/s12291-018-0791-5","article-title":"Neurochemical and behavioral dysfunctions in pesticide exposed farm workers: a clinical outcome","volume":"33","author":"Kori","year":"","journal-title":"Indian J. Clin. Biochem"},{"key":"B15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"153","DOI":"10.4103\/ijnpnd.ijnpnd_48_18","article-title":"Assessment of adverse health effects among chronic pesticide-exposed farm workers in sagar district of Madhya Pradesh, India","volume":"8","author":"Kori","year":"","journal-title":"Int. J. Nutr. Pharmacol. Neurol. Dis."},{"key":"B16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"609","DOI":"10.1515\/IJAMH.2009.21.4.609","article-title":"Assessing the association between pesticide exposure and cognitive development in rural Costa Rican children living in organic and conventional coffee farms","volume":"21","author":"Lu","year":"2009","journal-title":"Int. J. Adolesc. Med. Health"},{"key":"B17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"345","DOI":"10.1007\/s12199-009-0105-x","article-title":"Comparison of pesticide exposure and physical examination, neurological assessment, and laboratory findings between full-time and part-time vegetable farmers in the Philippines","volume":"14","author":"Lu","year":"2009","journal-title":"Environ. Health Prev. Med"},{"key":"B18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"157","DOI":"10.3892\/wasj.2019.17","article-title":"Overview of the effects of chemical mixtures with endocrine disrupting activity in the context of real-life risk simulation (RLRS): an integrative approach (Review)","volume":"1","author":"Margina","year":"2019","journal-title":"World Acad. Sci. J."},{"key":"B19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1186\/2046-4053-4-1","article-title":"Preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols (PRISMA-P) 2015 statement","volume":"4","author":"Moher","year":"2015","journal-title":"Syst. Rev"},{"key":"B20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"6281","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph120606281","article-title":"Relationship between urinary pesticide residue levels and neurotoxic symptoms among women on farms in the Western Cape, South Africa","volume":"12","author":"Motsoeneng","year":"2015","journal-title":"Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health"},{"key":"B21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"82","DOI":"10.1080\/09603123.2016.1268679","article-title":"Exposure to organophosphate (OP) pesticides and health conditions in agricultural and non-agricultural workers from Maule, Chile","volume":"27","author":"Mu\u00f1oz-Quezada","year":"2017","journal-title":"Int. J. Environ. Health Res"},{"key":"B22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"141512","DOI":"10.1016\/j.scitotenv.2020.141512","article-title":"Longitudinal exposure to pyrethroids (3-PBA and trans-DCCA) and 2,4-D herbicide in rural schoolchildren of Maule region, Chile","volume":"749","author":"Mu\u00f1oz-Quezada","year":"2020","journal-title":"Sci. Total Environ"},{"key":"B23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"68","DOI":"10.1080\/10773525.2015.1123848","article-title":"Chronic exposure to organophosphate (OP) pesticides and neuropsychological functioning in farm workers: a review","volume":"22","author":"Mu\u00f1oz-Quezada","year":"2016","journal-title":"Int. J. Occup. Env. Heal."},{"key":"B24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"432","DOI":"10.1093\/heapro\/dar006","article-title":"Health promotion outcomes associated with a community -based program to reduce pesticide- related risks among small farm households","volume":"26","author":"Orozco","year":"2011","journal-title":"Health Promot. Int"},{"key":"B25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"139","DOI":"10.3389\/fnbeh.2019.00139","article-title":"Systematic review on the influences of neeurotoxicological xenobiotic compounds on inhibitory control","volume":"13","author":"P\u00e9rez-Fern\u00e1ndez","year":"2019","journal-title":"Front Behav. Neurosci"},{"key":"B26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"138","DOI":"10.1177\/1747493017743796","article-title":"How to do a systematic review","volume":"13","author":"Pollock","year":"2017","journal-title":"Int. J. Stroke"},{"key":"B27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"775","DOI":"10.1111\/jcpp.12537","article-title":"Research review: environmental exposures, neurodevelopment, and child mental health - new paradigms for the study of brain and behavioral effects","volume":"57","author":"Rauh","year":"2016","journal-title":"J. Child Psychol. Psychiatry"},{"key":"B28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"7871","DOI":"10.1073\/pnas.1203396109","article-title":"Brain anomalies in children exposed prenatally to a common organophosphate pesticide","volume":"109","author":"Rauh","year":"2012","journal-title":"Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A"},{"key":"B29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"9","DOI":"10.1016\/j.parkreldis.2018.07.003","article-title":"Factors associated with dream enacting behaviors among US farmers","volume":"57","author":"Shrestha","year":"2018","journal-title":"Parkinsonism Relat. Disord"},{"key":"B30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e004798","DOI":"10.1136\/bmjopen-2014-004798","article-title":"A systematic review of the influence of occupational organophosphate pesticides exposure on neurological impairment","volume":"4","author":"Takahashi","year":"2014","journal-title":"BMJ Open"},{"key":"B31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"33","DOI":"10.1016\/j.toxlet.2018.12.003","article-title":"Toxicology for real-life risk simulation - Editorial preface to this special issue","volume":"309","author":"Tsatsakis","year":"2019","journal-title":"Toxicol. Lett"},{"key":"B32","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"110047","DOI":"10.1016\/j.envres.2020.110047","article-title":"Prenatal exposure to organophosphate pesticides and brain morphology and white matter microstructure in preadolescents","volume":"191","author":"van den Dries","year":"2020","journal-title":"Environ. Res."},{"key":"B33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"137","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cortex.2016.09.003","article-title":"Pesticide exposure and neurodevelopment in children aged 6-9 years from Talamanca, Costa Rica","volume":"85","author":"van Wendel de Joode","year":"2016","journal-title":"Cortex"},{"key":"B34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"275","DOI":"10.1136\/oemed-2016-104035","article-title":"Behavioural disorders in 6-year-old children and pyrethroid insecticide exposure: the PELAGIE mother-child cohort","volume":"74","author":"Viel","year":"2017","journal-title":"Occup. Environ. Med"},{"key":"B35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"590","DOI":"10.3389\/fnins.2016.00590","article-title":"Neurotoxicity in preclinical models of occupational exposure to organophosphorus compounds","volume":"10","author":"Voorhees","year":"2017","journal-title":"Front Neurosci."},{"key":"B36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"9627","DOI":"10.1021\/acs.est.6b01219","article-title":"Urinary metabolites of organophosphate and pyrethroid pesticides and neurobehavioral effects in Chinese children","volume":"50","author":"Wang","year":"2016","journal-title":"Environ. Sci. Technol"},{"key":"B37","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1051","DOI":"10.1093\/aje\/kwt089","article-title":"Pesticide exposure and depression among agricultural workers in France","volume":"178","author":"Weisskopf","year":"2013","journal-title":"Am. J. Epidemiol"},{"key":"B38","unstructured":"The WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard2009"},{"key":"B39","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"9621","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-018-27713-6","article-title":"A comparison of the effects of agricultural pesticide uses on peripheral nerve conduction in China","volume":"8","author":"Zhang","year":"2018","journal-title":"Sci. Rep."},{"key":"B40","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.gaceta.2020.04.020","article-title":"Exposici\u00f3n a plaguicidas en Chile y salud poblacional: urgencia para la toma de decisiones [Pesticide exposure in Chile and population health: urgency for decision making]","volume":"16","author":"Z\u00fa\u00f1iga-Venegas","year":"2020","journal-title":"Gac. Sanit"}],"container-title":["Frontiers in Human Neuroscience"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fnhum.2021.648171\/full","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2021,7,16]],"date-time":"2021-07-16T08:31:19Z","timestamp":1626424279000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fnhum.2021.648171\/full"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2021,7,16]]},"references-count":40,"alternative-id":["10.3389\/fnhum.2021.648171"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fnhum.2021.648171","relation":{},"ISSN":["1662-5161"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1662-5161","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2021,7,16]]},"article-number":"648171"}}