A study conducted in Gran Canaria, led by a multidisciplinary team of professionals from the Las Palmas Maternal and Child University Hospital and the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, has focused on the possible relationship between exposure to harmful chemicals and pesticides and the development of hypospadias in children. Hypospadias is the most common male genital malformation in newborns, affecting approximately 1 in 250 boys. While genetic and environmental factors are suspected, this study specifically sought to evaluate how the environment could influence this condition, with chemicals acting as endocrine disruptors.
The hypothesis that tomato plantations in southern Gran Canaria, with their history of intensive chemical and pesticide use, could be a contributing factor to the prevalence of hypospadias on the island, as suggested by this study, is highly plausible and warrants further, more focused investigation. These types of studies are essential for understanding the impact of agricultural activity on public health and for promoting sustainability and environmental protection policies.
Traditionally, and especially in earlier times, intensive tomato cultivation in Gran Canaria (and other agricultural regions) has relied heavily on the use of various chemicals, including fertilizers and, crucially, pesticides to control pests and diseases. Documentation on the history of tomato cultivation in the Canary Islands mentions the use of pesticides and the poisonings associated with their handling.
The study by the Maternal and Child Hospital and the ULPGC specifically points to exposure to "harmful chemical agents and pesticides" as potential "endocrine disruptors (EDs)." Many pesticides, especially those from previous generations, are known for their endocrine-disrupting properties. These substances can interfere with the body's hormonal system, and exposure during critical periods of fetal or childhood development can have health consequences, such as birth defects.
The research team, which included specialists such as Micaela Germani (Pediatric Surgery), María Dolores Fiuza Pérez (Epidemiology), Luis Sánchis Solera (Pediatric Surgery), Lourdes Hernández González (Anesthesiology), and José Ángel García Hernández (Gynecology and Obstetrics), conducted a retrospective analysis. The medical records of 128 children treated for hypospadias at the Las Palmas University Maternal and Child Hospital between 2012 and 2015 were reviewed. In addition, a telephone survey was conducted among the parents of the 116 patients who were able to be followed up.
The study revealed that, during the analyzed period, there was a relatively even distribution of hypospadias cases per year. Regarding the parents' educational level, the majority had primary or secondary education. However, no statistically significant differences were found between the families' place of residence and their educational level. The most notable finding was that 78 of the 116 patients analyzed had a direct family history of exposure to endocrine disruptors. This finding suggests an important connection between exposure to these substances and the development of hypospadias.
Researchers conclude that exposure to harmful chemicals and pesticides, an increasingly common occurrence in Gran Canarian society, could be a significant risk factor for lower urological tract diseases such as hypospadias. Given this evidence, the study underscores the urgent need to implement awareness and prevention measures at both the social and occupational levels to reduce exposure to these agents. This study from Gran Canaria provides valuable information for better understanding the causes of hypospadias and highlights the importance of addressing environmental factors in children's health.
