Glyphosate contamination of drinking water and the occurrence of oxidative stress: exposure assessment to rural Brazilian populations

Studies reported that continuous application of glyphosate can cause disturbance in aquatic/terrestrial environments. As such, the objective of this study is to discuss the risk of exposure to the herbicide in drinking water and to assess the oxidative stress in the consumers rural populations of Casimiro de Abreu/ RJ and Paraguaçu/ MG, Brazil. For this, water samples (n=69) were analysed from the home of volunteers, by FMOC derivatizing- LC-FLD method. The oxidative stress was analysed determining lipid peroxidation (MAD) and defense enzymes (SOD and CAT) in serum samples from rural population (n=42) compared to urban residents (n= 42). Results of the analysis from drinking water, despite the low and moderate risk, by the hazard quotient (HQ), revealed that the population is environmentally exposed to the glyphosate. The relevant findings showed that is important to implement monitoring/ biomonitoring programs to prevent pollution and toxic effects in the rural populations.