Cholinesterase assessment as a result of fenitrothion exposure: a survey in a group of public health workers exposed to an organophosphorus pesticide.
Antimalarial spraying activities are very important for the malaria control programme in Central Region, Sudan. Fenitrothion, an organophosphorus pesticide, is used for that purpose. A survey of 17 spraying group workers plus three controls was carried out. Whole blood cholinesterase determination was done using the Tintometric method. The maximum and minimum temperatures recorded on the days of the survey were 99 and 78 degrees F respectively. The relative humidity ranged between 82 and 40 per cent in the morning and afternoon respectively. Cholinesterase levels were measured on two pre-start days and then pre- and post-exposure levels were determined on 13 days of a 42 day spraying campaign. On 11 out of the 13 days, cholinesterase levels showed a significant drop. The cholinesterase levels of some members of the spraying team decreased by 25 per cent, 37.5 per cent or 50 per cent which were considered as slight-moderate, moderate-pronounced and pronounced inhibition, respectively.
Fakhri
Z I
ZI
Community Medicine Department, Gezira University, Wad Medani, Sudan.
D000328:Adult; D002802:Cholinesterases / Q000097:blood*; D005278:Fenitrothion / Q000506:poisoning*; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D009032:Mosquito Control; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*
D002802:Cholinesterases; D005278:Fenitrothion