title: Pesticide Exposure and Cholinesterase Levels in Migrant Farm Workers in Thailand.
abstract: In this study, we examined the effects of pesticides in migrant farm workers from Cambodia after workplace exposure on fruit plantations in eastern Thailand.
  
  
  
  We studied 891 migrant farm workers employed on pineapple, durian, and rambutan plantations in Thailand. Data were collected via a detailed questionnaire survey and measurements of serum cholinesterase level (SChE).
  
  
  
  The majority of subjects was male (57.7%), with an average age of 30.3 years. Most subjects (76.8%) were moderately aware of good industrial hygiene practices. SChE level was divided into four groups based on the results. Only 4.4% had normal levels of cholinesterase activity, 20.5% had slightly reduced levels, 58.5% had markedly reduced levels and were "at risk," and 16.6% who had highest levels of cholinesterase inhibition were deemed to be in an "unsafe" range. SChE was classified into two groups, SChE value of 87.5 was "normal" and <87.5 units/mL "abnormal." For the multiple logistic regression analysis of the abnormal SChE levels, the variables entered in the model included gender, period of insecticide use, the total area of plantation, frequency of spraying, period of daily insecticide spraying, and insecticide spraying method. The results indicated that the aOR (adjust odds ratio) for male migrant farm workers (95% confidence interval [CI]) was 1.58 (1.14, 2.17). The OR for farm migrant workers who worked on larger plantations of more than 39.5 acres (95% CI) was 2.69 (1.51, 4.82). Finally, the OR for the migrant farm workers who used a backpack sprayer (95% CI) was 2.07 (1.28, 3.34).
  
  
  
  These results suggest that health screening should be provided to migrant farm workers, especially those who spray pesticides on plantations of >39 acres, use a backpack sprayer, or have a low level of compliance with accepted industrial hygiene practices. These three classes of workers are at increased risk of chemical exposures and developing acute or chronic illness from pesticide exposures.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Industrial Hygiene and Safety , Faculty of Public Health, Burapha University , Chonburi , Thailand.
authors.forename: Anamai
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Thetkathuek
authors.affiliation: a Department of Industrial Hygiene and Safety , Faculty of Public Health, Burapha University , Chonburi , Thailand.
authors.forename: Pornthip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Yenjai
authors.affiliation: b Department of Public Health Foundation , Burapha University , Chonburi , Thailand.
authors.forename: Wanlop
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jaidee
authors.affiliation: b Department of Public Health Foundation , Burapha University , Chonburi , Thailand.
authors.forename: Patchana
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jaidee
authors.affiliation: c The Office of Disease Prevention and Control 6, Muang , Chonburi , Thailand.
authors.forename: Poonsak
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sriprapat
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000209:etiology; D002802:Cholinesterases / Q000097:blood*; D000072480:Farms; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D010575:Pesticides / Q000633:toxicity*; D013785:Thailand; D014171:Transients and Migrants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000078329:Workforce; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D010575:Pesticides; D002802:Cholinesterases
keywords: Carbamate effect; Thailand fruit plantations; migrant farm workers; organophosphate effect; pesticide poisoning