Occupational Determinants of Serum Cholinesterase Inhibition Among Organophosphate-Exposed Agricultural Pesticide Handlers in Washington State

Details

• Personal Author:
  Checkoway, Harvey ; De Roos AJ ; Fenske RA ; Furlong CE ; Hofmann JN ; Keifer MC ; van Belle G ; Checkoway, Harvey ; De Roos AJ ; Fenske RA ; Furlong CE ; Hofmann JN ; Keifer MC ; van Belle G
• Description:
  OBJECTIVE: To identify potential risk factors for serum cholinesterase (BuChE) inhibition among agricultural pesticide handlers exposed to organophosphate (OP) and N-methyl-carbamate (CB) insecticides. METHODS: We conducted a longitudinal study among 154 agricultural pesticide handlers who participated in the Washington State cholinesterase monitoring program in 2006 and 2007. BuChE inhibition was analysed in relation to reported exposures before and after adjustment for potential confounders using linear regression. ORs estimating the risk of BuChE depression (>20% from baseline) were also calculated for selected exposures based on unconditional logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: An overall decrease in mean BuChE activity was observed among study participants at the time of follow-up testing during the OP/CB spray season relative to pre-season baseline levels (mean decrease of 5.6%, p<0.001). Score for estimated cumulative exposure to OP/CB insecticides in the past 30 days was a significant predictor of BuChE inhibition (beta=-1.74, p<0.001). Several specific work practices and workplace conditions were associated with greater BuChE inhibition, including mixing/loading pesticides and cleaning spray equipment. Factors that were protective against BuChE inhibition included full-face respirator use, wearing chemical-resistant boots and storing personal protective equipment in a locker at work. CONCLUSIONS: Despite existing regulations, agricultural pesticide handlers continue to be exposed to OP/CB insecticides at levels resulting in BuChE inhibition. These findings suggest that modifying certain work practices could potentially reduce BuChE inhibition. Replication from other studies will be valuable. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Agriculture Chemistry Chemistry, Analytic Environmental Monitoring Epidemiology Hypersensitivity Insecticides Occupational Exposure Occupational Health Personal Protective Equipment Risk Assessment Safety

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• Keywords:
  Agricultural-chemicals Analytical-chemistry Chemical-hypersensitivity Exposure-assessment Injuries Injury-prevention Occupational-exposure Personal-protective-equipment Pesticides-and-agricultural-chemicals Risk-analysis Safety-research Work-analysis

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• ISSN:
  1351-0711
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant ; Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Journal Article ; Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Maryland ; OSHA Region 10 ; OSHA Region 3 ; Virginia ; Washington
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) ; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health ; Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America ; North America
• Pages in Document:
  375-386
• Volume:
  67
• Issue:
  6
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20037628
• Citation:
  Occup Environ Med 2010 Jun; 67(6):375-386
• Contact Point Address:
  Dr Jonathan N Hofmann, Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, 6120 Executive Blvd, EPS 8109, MSC 7240, Bethesda, MD 20892-7240
• Email:
  hofmannjn@mail.nih.gov
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2010
• NORA Priority Area:
  Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing ; Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing
• Performing Organization:
  Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20000930
• Source Full Name:
  Occupational and Environmental Medicine
• End Date:
  20040929
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:6cba301649252a20fb7c77a351911ef26bb74daf1aa2191750fc070747cbab37ff6cb54d60c8bd38722dcb9b69a91e2c2e0a3f56d8a54c02b0c63fcd811a66bf
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/188685/cdc_188685_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 134.75 KB ]