Organophoshate Neurological Effects On Farm Workers
This (University of Washington) study determines if exposure to organophosphate pesticides (OPs) during apple thinning has a detectable effect on neurobehavioral performance and neurological function, and whether years of historical exposure to orchard thinning shows 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 correlates with the reported recent exposure. The Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test correlates highly with reported years of education, and frequently correlates with neurobehavioral performance.
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COPYRIGHT 2001 Merton Allen Associates
COPYRIGHT 2001 Gale Group
