Pesticide exposure and cholinesterase levels among farm workers in the Republic of South Africa.
A preliminary survey was undertaken to establish the extent of pesticide exposure in a farming community. The area under investigation included a coffee plantation in the northern region of South Africa. Cholinesterase levels in red blood cells and plasma were used as markers to monitor the extent of organophosphate and carbamate exposure. Sixty-nine farm workers with specific pesticide exposure were selected for the study, and the frequency of the different symptoms which may be related to pesticide exposure was determined by interview and questionnaire. Of the workers, 77% had their red blood cell cholinesterase levels below the normal reference range, while 27% of the workers had depressed plasma cholinesterase levels.
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National Centre for Occupational Health, Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa.
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D000383:Agriculture; D002802:Cholinesterases / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010575:Pesticides / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013019:South Africa
D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D010575:Pesticides; D002802:Cholinesterases