Association of chronic pesticide exposure with serum cholinesterase levels and pulmonary functions.
The present study focused on the analysis of serum cholinesterase levels and the pulmonary function tests in seasonal farm workers who were chronically exposed to pesticides, mostly organophosphorus, in comparison with non-farm workers in the farming areas of Cukurova region, Turkey. Serum cholinesterase levels and pulmonary function tests using spyrometer in 50 male seasonal farm workers (study group) were compared to 50 male non-farm workers (control group) in this cross-sectional study. The mean serum cholinesterase enzyme level in the farm worker group (7095.5 ± 1699.4 U/L) was significantly lower than those of the control group (9716.4 ± 1484.4 U/L) (p < .001). There was no significant difference between pulmonary function tests of 2 groups (p > .05). These results show that chronic environmental organophosphorus exposure caused a decrease in the serum cholinesterase enzyme levels in farm workers, emphasizing the importance of primary prevention.
a Department of Public Health , Cukurova University Adana Turkey.
Zeynel
Z
Sutoluk
Zeynep
Z
Kekec
Nebile
N
Daglioglu
Ismail
I
Hant
D000328:Adult; D000383:Agriculture; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002802:Cholinesterases / Q000097:blood*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010575:Pesticides / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013147:Spirometry; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014171:Transients and Migrants; D014421:Turkey; D014797:Vital Capacity / Q000187:drug effects
D015415:Biomarkers; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D010575:Pesticides; D002802:Cholinesterases