EXPOSURE AND RISK ASSESSMENT OF GLYPHOSATE-BASED HERBICIDE AMONG FARMERS IN NORTHERN CYPRUS: A PILOT STUDY

Glyphosate (GLY) is an organophosphate herbicide that shows its effect by inhibiting the 5enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSP synthase) in the shikimate biosynthetic pathway. After its marketing, it became the most widely used herbicide worldwide. Since its classification is "probably carcinogenic to humans", debates are ongoing about its health outcomes. Thus, this study aims to assess occupational exposure and risk related to GLY and aminomethyl phosphonic acid (AMPA). Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to analyse 30 pre and 30 post-application urine samples. Besides, a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit was assayed to determine 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels in urine samples. Results are then used to calculate the percentage of Acceptable Occupational Exposure Level (AOEL) to perform a risk assessment. 7 samples contained GLY. There was no difference between pre-, and post-application samples (p > 0.05). AMPA was also observed but the levels were below LOQ values. No statistical differences were observed between 8-OHdG values or demographic and analytical data. Risk assessment values were below AOEL. During the study, no risk was calculated regarding the exposure to GLY. A larger sampling size and multiple post-application samples will aid in the evaluation of the risk assessment of GLY in a more definitive capacity.