[Epidemiological study of organophosphate and carbamate pesticide exposure in 7 separated zones in Colombia].
OBJECTIVE
Acetylcholinesterase activity was measured in workers potentially exposed to pesticides that are frequently used in agriculture in 7 provinces in Colombia between 1998 and 2001.


METHODS
During this period, local health centers in the Departments (provinces) of Boyacá, Caldas, Huila, Meta, Norte de Santander, Santander and Valle del Cauca monitored a total of 25,242 workers for acetylcholinesterase activity. The Limperos and Ranta method, modified by Edson, was used to detect levels of pesticide exposure.


RESULTS
The worker sample consisted of 78.9% men and 21.1% women. Thirty-nine percent of the workers were between 26 and 40 years of age, and 66% had social security. The most common work activities were use of spray applicators (39.1%) and harvesters (24.9%). Of the 25,356 tests for acetylcholinesterase activity, 7.6% showed abnormal activity levels.


CONCLUSIONS
In the zones investigated, organophosphosphates were the most commonly used pesticides (42.4%), followed by carbamates (17.8%), organochlorines (8.4%) and chlorinates (6.6%). The diversity of pesticides in use underlines the need to increase the variety of biomarkers for monitoring exposed workers.
Cárdenas
Omayda
O
Grupo de Salud Ambiental, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, DC, Colombia. ocardenas@ins.gov.co
Silva
Elizabeth
E
Morales
Ligia
L
Ortiz
Jaime
J
D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000378:metabolism; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002219:Carbamates / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003105:Colombia; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010755:Organophosphates / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010575:Pesticides / Q000009:adverse effects*
D002219:Carbamates; D010755:Organophosphates; D010575:Pesticides; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase