High Pesticide Exposure Events and Central Nervous System Function Among Pesticide Applicators in the Agricultural Health Study

Details

• Personal Author:
  Alavanja MC ; Gerr F ; Hoppin JA ; Kamel F ; Lynch CF ; Sandler DP ; Starks SE
• Description:
  Purpose: While acute pesticide poisoning can be associated with persistent adverse central nervous system (CNS) effects, little is known about the effect of one or more episodic and unusually high pesticide exposure events (HPEE) that typically do not result in acute poisoning. The objective of this investigation was to examine the association between ever having an HPEE and CNS function among licensed pesticide applicators enrolled in the Agricultural Health Study (AHS). Methods: In 2006-2008, 693 male participants with no history of a physician-diagnosed pesticide poisoning completed nine neurobehavioral tests to assess memory, motor speed, sustained attention, verbal learning, and visual scanning and processing. Information on ever having an HPEE and pesticide poisonings was obtained from previous AHS interviews. Associations between ever having an HPEE and neurobehavioral outcomes were estimated with linear regression controlling for age and outcome-specific covariates. Results: A history of ever having an HPEE was reported by 156 (23%) participants. Adverse associations were observed between ever having an HPEE and two of the nine neurobehavioral tests. On a test of visual scanning and processing (Digit-Symbol), participants who ever had an HPEE were 4.2 s slower (95% CI: -7.27, -1.11) than those without an HPEE, equivalent to the effect of 3.9 years of age in this population. On a test of visual scanning and motor speed (Sequences A), participants who ever had an HPEE were 2.5 s slower (95% CI: -4.53, -0.41) than those without an HPEE, equivalent to the effect of 3.9 years of age. No significant associations were observed between participants who ever had an HPEE and the remaining neurobehavioral tests. Conclusions: One or more HPEE may contribute to adverse CNS outcomes independent of diagnosed pesticide poisoning. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Agriculture Behavior Environmental Exposure Epidemiology Insecticides Men Nervous System Nervous System Diseases Occupational Health Poisoning Safety

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• Keywords:
  Agricultural Chemicals Agricultural Industry Agricultural Workers Author Keywords: Agricultural Workers Central Nervous System Cognitive Function Exposure Assessment Exposure Levels High Pesticide Exposure Event Humans Neurobehavioral Testing Neurological Disorders Performance Tests Pesticide Exposure Pesticides Pesticides And Agricultural Chemicals Poisons Task Performance Worker Health

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• ISSN:
  0340-0131
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Iowa ; Maryland ; North Carolina ; OSHA Region 3 ; OSHA Region 4 ; OSHA Region 7
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  85
• Issue:
  5
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20062108
• Citation:
  Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2012 Jul; 85(5):505-515
• Contact Point Address:
  Fred Gerr, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa, University of Iowa Research Park, 140 IREH, Iowa City, IA 52242-5000, USA
• Email:
  fred-gerr@uiowa.edu
• CAS Registry Number:
  Alachlor (CAS RN 15972-60-8) ; Butylate (CAS RN 2008-41-5) ; Methyl viologen (CAS RN 1910-42-5) ; Metribuzin (CAS RN 21087-64-9) ; Trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (CAS RN 93-76-5)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2012
• Performing Organization:
  University of Iowa
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health
• End Date:
  20290630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:474d8b62d70285e0ee9f5b5b4e24d7f2b5d52e896dc01995e574dc053d5b17734f9fb0c1c82d7b132c0cca37b6ccc764400b2de9a66f8c539f2d700aecdddfd5
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/225421/cdc_225421_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 211.13 KB ]