Plasma cholinesterase level of Ethiopian farm workers exposed to chemical pesticide.
BACKGROUND
Pesticide applications can have unwanted health consequences.


OBJECTIVE
To study cholinesterase levels in farm workers with varying exposure to chemical pesticide.


METHODS
Plasma cholinesterase (PChE) was measured in workers at two Ethiopian farms. A standard questionnaire adopted from the British Medical Research Council was used to determine the health status of the subjects.


RESULTS
A total of 82 farm workers and 47 controls participated in the study. While the mean values of plasma cholinesterase were generally lower in those exposed, this difference was only significant in the sprayers at Birr farm (P<0.05). In this group, four sprayers had cholinesterase activity lower than 50%.


CONCLUSIONS
The sprayers in both farms were the most affected groups, suggesting that improved controls on workplace exposure to pesticide is required in these groups of workers.
Mekonnen
Yalemtsehay
Y
Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia. yalemt@bio.aau.edu.et
Ejigu
D
D
D000328:Adult; D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002802:Cholinesterases / Q000097:blood*; D005002:Ethiopia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D010575:Pesticides / Q000633:toxicity*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D015415:Biomarkers; D010575:Pesticides; D002802:Cholinesterases