Associations of Urinary Concentrations of Organophosphates and Pyrethroids with Obesity and Diabetes in Canadian Adults

Abstract

Background: The relationships between both obesity and diabetes and the exposure to insecticides, specifically organophosphates and pyrethroids, in the adult Canadian population are not well-understood. Methods: Urinary concentrations of 4 organophosphate metabolites (DEP, DEPT, DMP, and DMPT) and of 4 pyrethroid metabolites (cis-DBCA, cis-DCCA, 3-PBA, and trans-DCCA) were measured for 1,147 adult Canadians aged between 18-79 years old. The geometric means and medians of both creatinine-adjusted and unadjusted urinary insecticide metabolites were estimated. Multiple linear regression and logistic regression analyses were employed to examine the associations between the insecticide metabolite concentrations and obesity and diabetes measures. Results: Both insecticides had detectable levels in over 70% of CHMS respondents. Most metabolites demonstrated a negative significant relationship between their urinary concentrations and BMI as well as waist circumference. No significant relationship was found in regard to HbA1c levels or for diabetes. Conclusion: Organophosphate and pyrethroid metabolites were detected in more than 70% of Canadian adults. Our data showed no evidence that organophosphate and pyrethroid exposures increase the risks of obesity and diabetes in adults. These results should be interpreted with caution as diet may play a large confounding role in the relationships of study.