Investigation of a fatality among parathion applicators in California.
Staff of the California Department of Health Services investigated the death of a parathion applicator in California that was thought to be pesticide-related. A crew of eleven workers (including six sprayers, three mixer/loaders, one mixer/sprayer and one foreman) had been applying 0.125% parathion spray to almond orchards for approximately three weeks. On the day of the fatality, a sprayer rapidly developed symptoms of salivation, sweating, and convulsions after a half-day of work. Despite aggressive medical treatment, the worker died within one hour of his initial symptoms. Significant laboratory results for the decreased case included: parathion residue on the inner and outer garments worn by the worker, parathion in the post-mortem gastric contents, and elevated urinary metabolites consistent with acute parathion intoxication. Interviews with the work crew revealed that three of the 10 workers had complaints of headaches, vomiting, and/or sore throat; yet, subsequent plasma and red cell cholinesterase tests of the co-workers did not show any significant depressions in comparison with pre-season baseline values. This worker death is consistent with prior reports of parathion-related sprayer/applicator intoxications and is the first worker-related parathion death in California since 1972. Substitution of pesticides with less toxic active ingredients or the elimination of parathion is recommended.
Osorio
A M
AM
Occupational Health Program, California Department of Health Services, Berkeley 94704.
Ames
R G
RG
Rosenberg
J
J
Mengle
D C
DC
D000328:Adult; D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D016573:Agrochemicals / Q000506:poisoning*; D002140:California; D002802:Cholinesterases / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010278:Parathion / Q000506:poisoning*; D011481:Protective Clothing; D012621:Seasons
D016573:Agrochemicals; D010278:Parathion; D002802:Cholinesterases