Effect of pesticide residues on health and blood parameters of farm workers from rural Gadap, Karachi, Pakistan.

The samples were collected from 83 persons on 1 day (reading-I), 7 days (reading-II) and 30 days (reading-III) engaged in pesticide spraying in fourteen different fruit and vegetable farm stations located in the orchards of Gadap (rural area), Karachi-Pakistan. In the present study, 26 workers out of 83 who were exposed to different pesticides (i.e., cypermethrin, deltamethrin, polytrin-C, diazninon, monocrotophos, DDT and DDE) were compared with 25 healthy control persons. Different blood parameters were determined in comparison to control subjects. The results indicate some alterations in blood indices in all the pesticide exposed persons, and only two persons from two different stations were affected severely and therefore their Hb, MCV, MCHC, TLC, monocyte and neutrophil counts increased significantly. High lymphocyte count was noted in almost all the exposed persons. Platelets count was also found high in few persons but Hb, MCV, MCH, TLC, RBC and neutrophil counts significantly decreased in such persons. Exposure of multiple pesticides for prolong period has also affected the health of exposed persons and produced dermatological, hepatic, nephritic, respiratory and other clinical disorders reflecting the toxic effects of pesticides. Our findings indicate that indiscriminate use of pesticides in farming environments must be regularly assessed and farm workers must be trained for safe use of pesticides.

Detection of pesticide residues in muscles, liver and fat of 3 species of Labeo found in Kalri and Haleji lakes.

The pesticide residues which were detected in fish tissues are DDT, DDE, aldrin, dieldrin and deltamethrin. In total 45 samples were taken out of which 18 were found positive. Out of 18 samples DDT was found in 10 samples in small quantities. DDE was found in 12 samples in higher quantities, aldrin was found in 10 samples and dieldrin was found in 2 samples in small quantities. Deltamethrin was found in 7 samples and malathion in none. Slightly more number of residues were found in Kalri lake samples. However, quantity of pesticides was higher in Haleji lake due to polluted nature of water while number of pesticides was more in Kalri lake water, possibly due to the surrounding adjacent agricultural farms. Higher level of GPT, GOT and ALP was found in samples with higher accumulation of pesticide residues. This possibly indicates a correlation between exposure of pesticide and increased level of the 3 enzymes.