Physiological response to organophosphate residues in field workers.
The physiologic response of 21 male agricultural field workers exposed to foliage-borne Guthion residues was monitored during routine peach-thinning operations in a northern California orchard. Surveillance included daily venipuncture and urine collection to determine whole blood cholinesterase (CHE) activity and level of dialkylphosphate excretion for 3 baseline (nonexposed) and 5 normal work days. Foliage samples were obtained to measure dislodgeable and total Guthion residues. A decrease in group-mean CHE activity by 15% over the surveillance period was found. Apart from one worker who showed a consistent decrease in CHE activity, reaching a maximum of 30% below baseline at the end of the work week, daily changes in individual CHE activity were erratic. Group-mean dialkylphosphate excretion levels provided a semiquantitative indication of exposure to Guthion. Medical examination before and after the exposure period revealed an absence of clinical signs of organophosphate intoxication.
D000328:Adult; D001387:Azinphosmethyl / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002802:Cholinesterases / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007306:Insecticides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009787:Occupational Medicine; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds / Q000652:urine; D010573:Pesticide Residues / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010808:Physical Examination; D013997:Time Factors
D007306:Insecticides; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D010573:Pesticide Residues; D001387:Azinphosmethyl; D002802:Cholinesterases