Malathion deposition, metabolite clearance, and cholinesterase status of date dusters and harvesters in California

• Published in: Archives of environmental contamination and toxicology Vol. 38; no. 4; pp. 546 - 553
• Main Authors: Krieger, R.I, Dinoff, T.M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01-05-2000; Berlin Springer Nature B.V; New York, NY
• Subjects: absorption; Agriculture; Biological and medical sciences; Biomonitoring; California; Child; Child, Preschool; Cholinesterase; Cholinesterases - metabolism; Dust; Dust - analysis; environmental exposure; Environmental Monitoring; enzyme activity; farm labor; Female; Humans; inhibition; Insecticides - pharmacokinetics; Malathion; Malathion - pharmacokinetics; Male; Medical sciences; Metabolites; monitoring; Occupational Exposure - analysis; Pest control; pest control operators; Pesticide Residues - analysis; Pesticides, fertilizers and other agrochemicals toxicology; Phosphates; Skin Absorption; Toxicology; Urine; California; United States; North America; America; USA, California; Urine; User; Enzyme; Metabolite; Toxicity; Pesticides; Esterases; Malathion; Clearance; Occupational exposure; Cholinesterase; Carboxylic ester hydrolases; Dust; Absorption; Pest; Enzymatic activity; Observer; Hydrolases; Integrated pest management
• ISSN: 0090-4341; 1432-0703
• DOI: 10.1007/s002449910071

Date gardens in the Coachella Valley in California typically receive multiple treatments of malathion to control major insect pests. Variable amounts of malathion dust retention by skin and clothing and individual work behaviors limit the usefulness of clothing as an exposure dosimeter in date dusters and harvesters. To determine malathion absorption in workers, urine clearance of dimethyl phosphates (alkyl phosphates; AP) and malathion mono- (MCA) and di- (DCA) acids were estimated from date dusters (loaders/applicators) and harvesters (both on ground and high in trees). A series of self-administered doses of malathion were either ingested in gelatin capsules or applied to the volar surface of the forearm to guide biomonitoring. Each of the dimethyl phosphates (dimethylthio> dimethyldithio > dimethyl-) and both malathion mono- and diacids were present in urine as soon as 2-3 h of work. On a micromole basis dimethylthiophosphate and the malathion acids (MCA > DCA) were the most prominent metabolites in urine. Applicator exposures ranged from 95-210 mg equivalents per day (1-3 mg/kg-day). Harvester exposures ranged from 1-270 microg/kg-day. Mid-season Monday morning urine specimens before work contained low or unmeasurable levels of malathion acids, indicating that malathion is rapidly metabolized and cleared from the body in the urine. Saliva was not useful for biomonitoring. No inhibition of cholinesterase activity was measured in any members of two separate crews of harvesters who had previous prolonged dust exposure (1 and 2 months).