Influence of chronic pesticide exposure on malondialdehyde and 8-OHdG levels among Wuluhan farmers, Jember, Indonesia: a cross-sectional study

Background: Chronic pesticide exposure causes oxidative stress and DNA damage in humans, with long-term health implications. This study aims to assess chronic pesticide exposure with oxidative stress and DNA damage biomarkers among farmers in Wuluhan District, Jember, Indonesia. Methods: Seventy-four farmers from two villages in Wuluhan, Jember, were interviewed regarding pesticide exposure using a questionnaire, and serum MDA and urine 8-OHdG were examined. Thirty-six subjects from the first village had low-moderate intensity, and 38 subjects from the second village had high spraying intensity before the test. Data were analyzed by Spearman correlation tests between the chronic pesticide exposure index, MDA serum, and urinary 8-OHdG in each group. Results: All subjects in this study were classified as experiencing high chronic pesticide exposure. In farmers with a low-moderate intensity of exposure, the chronic pesticide exposure index was negatively correlated with MDA but not with the 8-OHdG level. In farmers with high spraying intensity before the test, 8-OHdG increased significantly compared to another group. In this group, most of the farmers with a working duration of less than 15 years had higher urinary 8-OHdG levels, suggesting impaired DNA repair and cellular adaptation after long-term pesticide exposure. Conclusion: Farmers experience high oxidative stress and DNA damage due to chronic pesticide exposure. Nevertheless, as the working duration with low-moderate intensity increases, the level of oxidative stress will decrease as cellular adaptation. At high spraying intensities of pesticides, urinary 8-OHdG significantly increases. 8-OHdG may be helpful as a biomarker of acute exposure to pesticides, and MDA can be used for evaluating chronic pesticide exposure. © The Author(s) 2025.