Immune parameters in biological monitoring of pesticide exposure: current knowledge and perspectives

Exposure to pesticides can cause a number of effects on the immune system, varying from a slight modulation of immune functions to the development of clinical immune diseases. The aim of this study has been reviewing publishe d data on immune effects of pesticides in humans, with particular attention for effects observed in absence of any other change, and to the possibilit y of identifying a dose effect relationship. Some evidence of immunotoxic e ffects in man involve organophosphorus compounds, some organochlorine insec ticides (OC), some carbamates, some phenoxy herbicides, dithiocarbamates, a nd pentachlorophenol (PCP). The alterations are usually observed in absence of any other change; in some cases, data suggest the presence of a dose ef fect relationship. The prognostic significance of the observed changes is s till unclear. The Authors propose a tier approach to assess immune effects in humans. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights r eserved.