Longitudinal Nephrotoxic Metal Exposure in a Cohort of Farm Workers in Sonora, Mexico

Authors

Rietta S. Wagoner, From the Department of Community, Environment, and Policy, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson (R.S.W., N.I.L-G., R.A.C., F.A.v.H., P.I.B., M.A.F.); Division of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, California (N.I.L-G.); Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia (R.A.C.); Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson (L.V.F.); Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson (J.G.d.Z.); Department of Public Health Practice, Policy, and Translational Research, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson (C.B.R).
Nicolas I. Lopez-Galvez
Robert A. Canales
Leslie V. Farland
Frank A. von Hippel
Jill G. de Zapien
Cecilia B. Rosales
Paloma I. Beamer
Melissa A. Furlong

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

12-1-2025

Journal

Journal of occupational and environmental medicine

Volume

67

Issue

12

DOI

10.1097/JOM.0000000000003530

Keywords

Mexico; agricultural worker; farm worker; heavy metals; toxic metal exposure; toxic metal(loid) exposure

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Metal exposure among farmworkers along the US-Mexico border is understudied, despite links between certain metals and kidney injury or disease. We assessed seasonal metal exposure in agricultural workers in Sonora, Mexico, compared to office workers and other populations. METHODS: Adult male agricultural and office workers provided urine samples and demographic data at the start and end of the work season. Urine was analyzed for specific gravity, creatinine, and metal(loid) concentrations. RESULTS: Agricultural workers had significantly higher urinary arsenic, lead, nickel, and uranium than office workers. Uranium increased over time, whereas arsenic, lead, and nickel declined. Urinary metal levels exceeded those in NHANES Mexican Americans, with cadmium levels similar to other farmworker populations but higher arsenic and uranium. CONCLUSIONS: Findings enhance understanding of regional exposure, support global farmworker comparisons, and inform exposure modeling, mitigation strategies, and policy.

APA Citation

Wagoner, Rietta S.; Lopez-Galvez, Nicolas I.; Canales, Robert A.; Farland, Leslie V.; von Hippel, Frank A.; de Zapien, Jill G.; Rosales, Cecilia B.; Beamer, Paloma I.; and Furlong, Melissa A., "Longitudinal Nephrotoxic Metal Exposure in a Cohort of Farm Workers in Sonora, Mexico" (2025). GW Authored Works. Paper 8502.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/8502

Department

Environmental and Occupational Health