Page 23 - JCTR-11-1

Journal of Clinical and
Translational Research Pesticides and ischemic heart disease

Table 1. Types and modes of action of pesticides (according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency 2022)
Pesticide type Mode of action
Algicides Kill algae in lakes, canals, swimming pools, and water tanks.
Antifoulants Kill or repel organisms that attach to underwater surfaces, such as barnacles on the boat bottoms.
Antimicrobials Kill bacteria and viruses.
Attractants Lure pests to a trap or bait.
Biocides Kill microorganisms.
Biopesticides Derived from animals, plants, bacteria, and certain minerals.
Defoliants Cause leaves or foliage to drop from plants, usually to facilitate harvest.
Desiccants Promote drying of living tissues, such as unwanted plant tops.
Disinfectants and sanitizers Kill or inactivate disease-producting microorganisms on inanimate objects.
Fumigants Produce gas or vapor intended to destroy pests, for example, in buildings or soil.
Fungicides Kill fungi (including blights, mildews, molds and rusts).
Herbicides Kill weeds and other plants that grow where they are not wanted.
Insecticides Kill insects and other arthropods.
Insect growth regulators Disrupt the molting, maturing from the pupal stage to adult, or other life processes of insects.
Microbial pesticides Use microorganisms to kill, inhibit, or out-compete pests, including insects or other microorganism pests.
Miticides (Acaricides) Kill mites that feed on plants and animals.
Molluscicides Kill snails and slugs.
Nematicides Kill nematodes on plant roots.
Ovicides Kill egg of insects and mites.
Pheromones Disrupt the mating of pests.
Plant growth regulators Alter the expected growth, flowering, or reproduction rate of plants (do not include fertilizers).
Plant-incorporated substances Substances from genetic material that has been added to the plant.
Protectants Substances that plants produce from genetic material that has been added to the plant.
Repellents Repel pests, including insects (such as mosquitoes) and birds.
Rodenticides Control mice and other rodents.

35 – 70 years. The sample size was estimated by the the Ethics Committee of Rafsanjan University of Medical
PERSIAN Cohort Central Scientific Committee to ensure Sciences (Ethical codes: ID: IR.RUMS.REC.1398.160).
adequate statistical power. To reach the target population
of 10,000 participants, the recruitment team randomly 2.2. Definition and measurements
selected and invited 14,827 individuals from four pre- In this study, data on participants’ personal habits, lifestyle,
determined districts of Rafsanjan city using systematic demographic characteristics, comorbidity history, physical
clustering based on household numbers until the target activity, and exposure to pesticides of the participants were
sample size was reached. A total of 9,991 individuals aged collected through face-to-face questionnaires.
35 – 70 years from both genders willingly participated in Smoking, alcohol drinking, and opium usage were self-
the baseline phase of the RCS and signed informed written reported. Participants were divided into two groups such as
consent. Participants with missing data on the medical opium non-users and users. A participant was considered
questionnaire were excluded from the study. Finally, 9,932 an opium user if they reported consuming opium at least
participants (5,310 women and 4,624 men) with completed once per week during the 6 months before the enrollment
medical questionnaires were included in the present study date. Similarly, smoking was divided into three categories
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(Figure 1).
such as never, former, and current smokers. Alcohol
The study protocol was designed based on the Persian drinkers included individuals who had consumed alcohol
cohort study, and validated questionnaires approved by at least once in their lifetime. In addition, the prevalence
the PERSIAN Cohort Central Scientific Committee were of IHD was assessed based on the participants’ self-reports
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used. Ethical approval for this study was obtained from recorded in the medical history questionnaire. IHD was

Volume 11 Issue 1 (2025) 17 doi: 10.36922/jctr.22.00187