Neurological Effects of Organophosphates on Farm Workers

摘要

The study determined if exposure to organophosphate pesticides (OPs) during applethinning had a detectable effect on neurobehavioral performance and neurological function, and whether years of historical exposure to orchard thinning showed an effect on the same functions after recovery from any acute effects. Tests including World Health Organization Core Test Battery, memory tests, mood and neurological symptoms, acetylcholinesterase, vibration threshold, paraoxonase and nerve conduction tests were given to 137 farm workers at the end of the thinning season and after a 6-9 month exposure respite. Ninety workers were tested a second time. Recent and life long exposure to OPs by the workers did not adversely affect their performance in the battery tests. Acetylcholinesterase activity as a measure of physiological effect of exposure inversely correlated with the reporter recent exposure. The Peabody Picture Vocabulary test correlated highly with reported years of education and frequently correlated with neurobehavioral performance.