Pesticide effects on humans

The strategic objective of the research is to evaluate the effects of complexes of pesticides commonly ocurring in actual practices on exposed human population, with the subsequent target to avoid most dangerous practices and to develop more effective and environmental safe methods for the use of pesticides. The proposed research has the following specific objectives: 1) To investigate chromosomal damages inflicted in different groups of pesticides users in several European countries. 2) To investigate the DNA damage and repair in the same groups. 3) To screen for genotoxic agents from urine samples of these groups. 4) To identify the effects of specific pesticides in people accidentally exposed to large amounts. 5) To identify possible correlation of type and degree of pesticide damage with the nutritional habits in participating countries (Mediterranean versus North European diet)