title: Seasonal variations in cholinesterase activity, nerve conduction velocity and lung function among sprayers exposed to mixture of pesticides.
abstract: Pesticide spraying operation is associated with the increased risk of adverse health effects among sprayers who do not follow safe farm work practices. A study was conducted among pesticide sprayers in North India to evaluate the clinical and subclinical variations in their vital health parameters before and after the pesticide spraying season. Blood cholinesterase levels, pulmonary function test, nerve conduction velocity and self-reported symptoms were studied among 18 eligible and consenting male sprayers. Mean acetylcholinesterase activity was reduced by 55 % in the post-exposure assessment (P<0.001) as compared to pre-exposure levels. Mean forced expiratory volume in 1 s was 20 % lower in the post-exposure assessment as compared to the pre-exposure level (P<0.05). No significant change was observed in the motor and sensory nerve conduction velocity in the median nerve of sprayers before and after the spraying activity. Also, no significant variation was observed with respect to self-reported symptoms except weakness in arms and legs (P<0.05). The significant decline in lung function and acetylcholinesterase level after pesticide exposure reflects the strongly negative effect of exposure to pesticides during spraying activity. More longitudinal studies among pesticide sprayers must be undertaken to further substantiate the cause-effect relationship between pesticide exposure and its subclinical effects. There is a strong necessity to minimise the exposure through the use of personal protective equipment in pesticide sprayers.
authors: Epidemiology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (CSIR-IITR), Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India, 226001.
authors: Manoj Kumar
authors: MK
authors: Pathak
authors: Mohammad
authors: M
authors: Fareed
authors: Anup Kumar
authors: AK
authors: Srivastava
authors: Balram Singh
authors: BS
authors: Pangtey
authors: Vipin
authors: V
authors: Bihari
authors: Mohammed
authors: M
authors: Kuddus
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Kesavachandran
mesh_terms: D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000378:metabolism*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000378:metabolism; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010575:Pesticides / Q000633:toxicity*; D011482:Protective Devices; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012306:Risk; D012621:Seasons; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D010575:Pesticides; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase
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