Effect of organophosphorous pesticides on acetyl cholinesterase activity in agricultural workers

Organophosphorus compounds (OP) are widely used in agricultural areas such as Mazandaran. The aim of this study was to find the amount of skin absorption of OPs in agricultural workers who have been repeatedly exposed to pesticides for several days. Blood samples were obtained from thirty-five agricultural workers as the case group and thirty-five volunteers not exposed to pesticides as the control group. Acetyl cholinesterase (AchE) activity was measured using colorimetric Ellman procedure. Data was analyzed by student t-test. There was no significant difference between mean AChE activity in male and female subjects of the control group but this activity was significantly higher in the male agricultural workers than female ones (P<0.05). AChE activity in the male agricultural workers was significantly lower than the control group (P<0.05). In addition, there was a significant difference between mean AChE activity in the female agricultural workers and the control group (P<0.05). Skin absorption of OP compounds was high. The workers should use gloves and boots as safety measures.