A behavioral evaluation of pest control workers with short-term, low-level exposure to the organophosphate diazinon.
Neurobehavioral effects of short-term, low-level exposure to diazinon were investigated among 99 pest control workers tested before and after their work shift with a computer-assisted neurobehavioral test battery. Each subject completed a brief neurological screening examination, a symptom questionnaire, and tests of concentration, eye-hand coordination, pattern recognition, visual memory, and finger tapping. The diazinon metabolite diethylthiophosphate (DETP) was measured in pre- and post-shift urine samples collected from 46 diazinon applicators applying granulated diazinon onto residential properties with lawn spreaders, and 56 non-applicators. Post-shift median DETP for applicators and non-applicators was 24 and 3 ppb, respectively. Full shift, whole body exposure to diazinon was quantitated for 19 subjects using personal air monitoring and passive badges. Median diazinon exposure for applicators and non-applicators was 2.1 and 0.03 mg, respectively. Mean duration of pesticide application was 39 days (SD = 12 days) before testing. No adverse DETP-related changes in pre- or post-shift neurobehavioral function were found with multiple linear regression models after adjusting for age, sex, education, and ethanol intake, although Symbol-Digit pairing speed was slower among the applicators as a group. The prevalence of 18 symptoms possibly related to diazinon exposure was not elevated among applicators. The study failed to demonstrate diverse behavioral effects of short-term, low-level diazinon exposure in a pest control program which emphasized personal protective equipment and direct supervision.
Maizlish
N
N
Occupational and Environmental Health Unit, University of California, Davis.
Schenker
M
M
Weisskopf
C
C
Seiber
J
J
Samuels
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced*; D001517:Coleoptera; D003976:Diazinon / Q000506:poisoning*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007300:Insect Control / Q000379:methods; D007306:Insecticides / Q000506:poisoning*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D063086:Organothiophosphates / Q000652:urine; D011481:Protective Clothing; D011596:Psychomotor Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013997:Time Factors
D007306:Insecticides; D063086:Organothiophosphates; C040340:O,O-dimethyl phosphorothionate; C041609:O,O-diethyl phosphorothionate; D003976:Diazinon