Measurement of cholinesterase enzyme activity before and after exposure to organophosphate pesticides in farmers of a suburb region of Mazandaran, a northern province of Iran.
BACKGROUND
Accidental toxicity by organophosphate (OP) agents may occur among farmers during spraying season due to improper use and handling. Plasma cholinesterase (ChE) activity measurement is recommended to monitor the extent of exposure to the OP agent. The aim of the current study was to measure plasma ChE activity before and after exposure with OP pesticides.


METHODS
This was a prospective study conducted on 36 farmers working in the farm field. The plasma ChE level was measured before spraying and 2 days and 8 weeks after spraying season and exposure to OP agent. Farmers were observed for clinical signs and symptoms of toxicity after exposure.


RESULTS
Vertimac was the most common agent used by farmers followed by diazinon and chlorpyrifos. The plasma ChE level significantly decreased after exposure by over 50%. The level returned to preexposure level after 8 weeks.


CONCLUSIONS
Exposure to OP pesticide is a major concern in the developing countries. More than 50% reduction in the plasma ChE activity after spraying is an alarming message for health-care system and policy makers. Furthermore, workplace evaluation, serial ChE monitoring, and appropriate training and education to exposed individuals would be initial important steps to avoid the toxicity or reduce the severity of poisoning.
Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Islamic Republic of Iran.
N
N
Pakravan
Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Islamic Republic of Iran mslamuk@yahoo.com.
M
M
Shokrzadeh
Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Islamic Republic of Iran.
M A Khalat
MA
Bari
Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy,Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Amir
A
Shadboorestan
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000633:toxicity*; D002802:Cholinesterases / Q000097:blood*; D000067565:Farmers; D006801:Humans; D007306:Insecticides / Q000633:toxicity*; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D007306:Insecticides; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D002802:Cholinesterases
Organophosphate; cholinesterase; exposure; spraying