Determination of pseudocholinesterase serum activity among Agrinion pesticide applicators pre- and post-exposed to organophosphates (fenthion and dimethoate)

• Published in: Toxicological and environmental chemistry Vol. 93; no. 1; pp. 177 - 187
• Main Authors: Vrioni, Georgia, Souki, Helen, Katramadou, Myrto, Kasiotis, Konstantinos M, Carageorgiou, Haris
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Taylor & Francis Group 2011; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Agricultural production; Agrochemicals; applicators; Biological effects; blood serum; butyrylcholinesterase; Crop production; Crops; Dimethoate; Environmental chemistry; Exposure; exposure duration; farm labor; Farms; Farmworkers; Fenthion; Greek; Occupational; Occupational exposure; organophosphate; Organophosphates; Personal protective equipment; pesticide; Pesticides; Photometry; Protective; Protective equipment; pseudocholinesterase; Serums; Spraying; Workers
• ISSN: 1029-0486; 0277-2248; 1029-0486
• DOI: 10.1080/02772248.2010.495195

Organophosphate (OP) pesticides are used in agriculture in order to raise crop production. The aim of this study was to investigate the biological effects of two OPs, fenthion, and dimethoate, among 270 farm workers in the area of Agrinion (Western Greece) by measuring the serum butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activity during the years 2004–2006. The BChE activity was photometrically analyzed before and after exposing to OP. Results showed that (1) the median BChE activity was reduced in the spraying period in comparison with the non-spraying period (7604 versus 9557 units L⁻¹), (2) a significant difference in median pseudocholinesterase (PChE) activity was also observed between the two OPs (fenthion applicators −26.87%, dimethoate applicators −15.95%), (3) the duration of OP spraying influenced the mean BChE activity, which was −9.83% after 1 day, −23.81% after 2–3 days, and −25.26% after 4–7 days of spraying, (4) reduced levels of the mean value of PChE activity was observed in occupational applicators in exposure periods (5446 units L⁻¹), and in non-exposure periods (6950 units L⁻¹), as well, and (5) the extent of using protective equipment influenced the mean levels of BChE activity: −23.9% without any protection, −15% with partial protection, and −7.4% in those applicators with full protective equipment. In conclusion, the mean value of serum BChE activity was reduced after exposure to two OPs and this reduction depends on the particular OP, the duration of the exposure, and use or not of personal protective equipment by pesticide applicators.