Neuromuscular function in pesticide workers

Abstract

Jager, K. W., Roberts, D. V., and Wilson, Andrew (1970).Brit. J. industr. Med.,27, 273-278. Neuromuscular function in pesticide workers. Electromyography (EMG) provides a sensitive, objective, and speedy method of detecting impairment of nerve and muscle function in pesticide workers who are apparently in good health. Exposure to two organophosphorus compounds (both were dimethyl phosphate esters) was associated with a high incidence (about 50%) of EMG signs of impaired nerve and muscle function. In workers exposed only to organochlorine compounds there was a much lower incidence (about 4%) of abnormal EMG. Exposure to these organophosphorus compounds was not associated with depression of blood cholinesterase activity even in those workers with typical EMG signs. It is concluded that measurement of blood cholinesterase activity does not provide a sensitive index of functional impairment of nerve and muscle.

Effect of occupational exposure to organophosphorus insecticides on neuromuscular function.

“…show a decrement at repetItive nerve stimulation, a decrease after muscle activity, and a lower amplitude after exposure to organophosphorus compounds (11,15). The two first findings, and possibly also the "third, would indica·te disturbed neuromuscular transmission.…”

“…For the decremerut studies it is very important, iJn situations of minor ohanges, that changes in both amp.liltude of the response and iJts integrated surfJace be compared. Whether these £actom laccount for some of the 'aJbnormal findings reported earlier (10,11,15) canrnot be determined since some of the information needed fur such an evaluation is missing. In the present study these factors were standardized and kept as CO'tl'stanrt; as possible between the investigations.…”

“…phorms compounds (11,15). The cholinesterase inhibition of these compounds might poss:i!bly a:fjiiect neuromuscular transmission in exposed workers.…”

“…The cholinesterase inhibition of these compounds might poss:i!bly a:fjiiect neuromuscular transmission in exposed workers. Roberts et al (11,15) suggested that a relatively simple EMG technique was very useful and, to some extent, superior to cholinesterase measurements when the effects of exposure to organophosphorus compounds are being monitored (6,10,11,15).…”

Mechanisms of environmental chemical-induced apoptosis in dopaminergic cells: critical roles of protein kinase C-delta and relevance to Parkinson's disease

“…Hunter and his colleagues also calculated the half-life of dieldrin in human blood to be 396 days. Another group determined dieldrin's half-life as 266 days in human blood in occupationally exposed workers (Jager et al, 1970). Concentrations of dieldrin and other chlorinated hydrocarbons (CHCs) in the fat tissues of 262 German children (183 healthy, 46 with malignant tumors, and 33…”