Serum cholinesterase changes in workers exposed to organophosphorus and carbamate residues in cotton dust

ABSTRACT

One hundred exposed and fifty control workers in a cotton ginning factory were chosen for this study. All were subjected to a special questionnaire. The investigations involved determination of serum cholinesterase activity, detection of hepatitis markers [B and C], haemagglutination test for schistosomiasis, urine and stool analysis and liver sonography. Environmental study was done for estimation of pesticide [or-ganophosphorus and carbamate] residue contents of cotton dust collected from the factory atmosphere. This study was carried out twice before and after [1991-1992] and before [1992-1993] ginning seasons. The results of environmental study showed that the median measurements of or-ganophosphorus and carbamate pesticide residues in the atmospheric dust were below their threshold limit values. The study demonstrated a non-significant lower level of serum cholinesterase activity in exposed workers before the beginning of work season than controls. A significantly lower level of serum cholinesterase activity was observed at the end of the ginning season among the exposed workers than controls, in subgroups of exposed workers with schistosomiasis, hepatitis markers and liver cirrhosis than other subgroups free from these diseases and in subgroups exposed to higher level of or-ganophospborus and carbamate residues. There was a trend of decrease in serum cholinesterase activity with the increase in duration of exposure