Biological variations of human serum butyrylcholinesterase activity in a population from Zagreb, Croatia

Flegar-Meštrić, Zlata; Šurina, Branka; Šiftar, Zoran

doi:10.1016/s0009-2797(99)00028-9

Cited by 7 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 6 publications

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“…Because of the essentially irreversible binding of organophosphorus pesticides to red blood cell cholinesterase, recovery from cholinesterase depression is prolonged, reflecting the 120-day half-life of red blood cells. This, plus the wide range of normal values for cholinesterase, makes repeated measures the best means of detecting cholinesterase depression ( Flegar-Meštrić et al 1999 ; Lessenger 2005 ; Lessenger and Reese 1999 ; Mutch et al 1992 ). Routine screening for cholinesterase depression is mandated in only a few places [e.g., California and Washington State ( Hofmann et al 2008 ; Lessenger 2005 )] and then only for workers applying and handling pesticides and not those carrying out routine fieldwork.…”

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confidence: 99%

Cholinesterase Depression and Its Association with Pesticide Exposure across the Agricultural Season among Latino Farmworkers in North Carolina

Quandt¹,

Chen

Grzywacz

et al. 2010

Environ Health Perspect

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BackgroundFarmworkers can be exposed to a wide variety of pesticides. Assessing cholinesterase activity over time can be used to monitor exposure to organophosphorus and carbamate pesticides.ObjectivesThe goal of this study was to document patterns and variation in cholinesterase levels across the agricultural season (May–August) among field-workers, and to explore the association of cholinesterase depression with pesticide exposure across the agricultural season.MethodsDried blood samples collected from 231 migrant farmworkers sampled from camps in eastern North Carolina up to four times across a summer agricultural season were analyzed for cholinesterase activity, and urine samples were analyzed for metabolites of organophosphorus and carbamate pesticides. Reductions of ≥ 15% from an individual’s highest value were identified and considered evidence of meaningful cholinesterase activity depression.ResultsThe average cholinesterase activity levels were lowest in June, with significantly higher mean values in July and August. When adjusted for age, sex, minutes waited to shower, and days worked in the fields, the number of organophosphorus and carbamate pesticides detected in urine predicted reductions in cholinesterase activity.ConclusionsThese data demonstrate that workers are experiencing pesticide exposure. Greater enforcement of existing safety regulations or strengthening of these regulations may be warranted. This study demonstrates that serial measurements of cholinesterase activity across an agricultural season can detect exposure to pesticides among field-workers.

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