Assessment of azinphosmethyl exposure in California peach harvest workers.
We compared measurements of urinary alkylphosphate metabolites and oxime-induced reactivation of plasma cholinesterase (P-ChE) and erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase (RBC-AChE) with measurements of foliar residues, skin and clothing contamination, and P-ChE and RBC-AChE activities among 20 Northern California peach orchard workers exposed to the organophosphate agent azinphosmethyl (Guthion). Subjects entered orchards treated 30 d previously with azinphosmethyl and worked 21 d in treated fields during the ensuing 6 wk. Dislodgeable foliar residues ranged from 0.32-0.96 micrograms/cm2. Median reduction in RBC-AChE activity was 7% (p < .001) over the initial 3-d period of exposure and 19% (p < .01) over the 6-wk season. Urinary metabolites were the most sensitive indicator of recent exposure and correlated moderately with dermal and clothing levels (rs = +0.31-(+)0.55); urinary metabolites correlated well with RBC-AChE drawn 3 d after exposure began (rs = -0.77). No significant oxime-induced reactivation was found.
Division of Occupational/Environmental Medicine and Epidemiology, University of California, Davis.
S A
SA
McCurdy
M E
ME
Hansen
C P
CP
Weisskopf
R L
RL
Lopez
F
F
Schneider
J
J
Spencer
J R
JR
Sanborn
R I
RI
Krieger
B W
BW
Wilson
D F
DF
Goldsmith
D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000097:blood; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000383:Agriculture; D001387:Azinphosmethyl / Q000032:analysis*; D002802:Cholinesterases / Q000097:blood; D003020:Clothing; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000737:chemistry; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds / Q000652:urine; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry
D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D001387:Azinphosmethyl; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase; D002802:Cholinesterases