Thirty male pesticide formulators exposed to the dust and liquid formulation of endosulfan, quinalphos, chlorpyriphos, monocrotophos, lindane, parathion, phorate, and fenvalerate and 20 comparable control subjects from the same area of study were examined for the evaluation of thyroid function tests. The level of TSH was elevated (about 28%) in pesticide formulators as compared to a control group, but the increase was statistically insignificant. Based on the individual TSH measurement, 3 of 30 formulators had isolated elevated levels of TSH and seem to have acquired sub-clinical hypothyroidism; five had TSH values slightly elevated to the upper boarder line (4.03,uIU/ml); and the majority of formulators (N= 22) had TSH values in the normal range varying from 1.29 to 3.9 pIU/ml. Total T3 was suppressed significantly (P <0.01) in formulators, while marginal decrease (about 7%) was noticed in T4 level. This studyindicatedthyroidfunctionimpairmentinfewpesticide formulators.

This study suggests that welding might have had some adverse effects on sperm motility, morphology and physiologic function even though sperm concentration was in the normal range. Hormonal changes did not show any definite pattern, indicating a need for further study.

No abstract

Acute unintentional inhalation of paint thinner fumes resulted in serious multi-organ toxicity and death. This case strongly suggests the need to employ suitable precautionary measures while handling volatile organic solvents in a confined area.