title: Effect of chronic mixed pesticide exposure on peripheral and autonomic nerve function.
abstract: In a cross-sectional study involving 131 flower bulb farmers (mean age = 43 y) and 67 well-matched controls, peripheral and autonomic nerve functions were examined. The study group had been exposed during a period of 20 y (standard deviation = 7) and applied a similar pesticide package. Lifetime cumulative exposure was estimated based on exposure levels for specific application methods and duration of exposure. Exposure-related decreased conduction velocities were found in the motor fibers of the median (-1.1 m/s) and peroneal (fast fibers: -1.2 m/s, slow fibers: -1.3 m/s) nerves, and in the sensory fibers of the median (-1.4 m/s) and sural (-0.9 m/s) nerves. In addition, the refractory period was determined and found to be increased in the sural and peroneal nerves. With regard to the autonomic nerve function, a decrease was found in resting sinus arrhythmia (-10%).
authors.affiliation: Coronel Laboratory, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Ruijten
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Sallé
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Verberk
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Smink
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D016573:Agrochemicals / Q000009:adverse effects; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008344:Maneb / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000187:drug effects; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D017933:Peripheral Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D010575:Pesticides / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015038:Zineb / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D016573:Agrochemicals; D010575:Pesticides; D008344:Maneb; D015038:Zineb