Abstract
Plasma and red blood cell cholinesterase levels of professional agricultural workers engaged in packing sweet corn and thinning peaches were monitored. Workers with extensive contact with mechanically harvested sweet corn (the corn had been treated one or two days before harvest with a combination of ethyl and methyl parathion) exhibited significant depression of cholinesterase. Gloves, worn by 40% of the workers, provided some protection from absorption of pesticide residues. No significant cholinesterase depression was found in workers thinning peaches which had been previously treated with parathion.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Arterberry, J. D., W. F. Durham, J. W. Elliott, and H. R. Wolfe: Exposure to parathion. Arch. Environ. Health3, 476 (1961).
Baetjer, A. M., and R. Smith: Effect of environmental temperature on reaction of mice to parathion, an anticholinesterase agent. Amer. J. Physiol.186, 39 (1956).
Braid, P. E., and G. G. Dustan: Parathion residuals on immature peaches and the hazard in spraying and thinning operations. J. Econ. Entomol.48, 44 (1955).
Davies, J. E., M. T. Shafik, A. Barquet, C. Morgade, and J. X. Danauskua: Worker reentry safety. VII. A medical overview of reentry and the use of urinary alkyl phosphates in human pesticide monitoring. Residue Rev.62, 45 (1976).
Ellman, G. L., K. D. Courtney, V. Andres, and R. M. Featherstone: A new and rapid colorimetric determination of acetyl cholinesterase activity. Biochem. Pharmacol.7, 88 (1961).
Federal Register: Worker protection standards for agricultural workers,39, (No. 92), 16888 (1974).
Funckes, A. J., G. R. Hayes, and W. V. Hartwell: Urinary excretion of paranitrophenol by volunteers following dermal exposure to parathion at different ambient temperatures. J. Agr. Food Chem.11, 455 (1963).
Gunther, F. A., W. E. Westlake, J. H. Barkley, W. Winterlin, and L. Langbehn: Establishing dislodgeable pesticide residues on leaf surfaces. Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.9, 243 (1973).
Gunther, F. A., Y. Iwata, G. E. Carman, and C. A. Smith: The citrus reentry problem: Research on its cause and effects, and approaches to its minimization. Residue Rev.67, 1 (1977).
Kilgore, W. W.: Field re-entry intervals found safe for workers. Agrichem. Age. p. 26 (Nov.–Dec. 1977).
Milby, T. H. (ed.): Report of the Task Group on Occupational Exposure to Pesticides. United States Government Printing Office (1974).
Milby, T. H., F. Ottoboni, and H. W. Mitchell: Parathion residue poisoning among orchard workers. J. Amer. Med. Assoc.189, 351 (1964).
Nabb, D. P., W. J. Stein, and W. J. Hayes: Rate of skin absorption of parathion and paraoxon. Arch. Environ. Health12, 501 (1966).
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: Climatological Data. National Climatic Center, Asheville, N.C.83, 5 (1977).
North Carolina Agricultural Chemicals Manual. Raleigh, N.C., North Carolina Agricultural Extension Service (1977).
Quinby, G. E., and A. B. Lemmon: Parathion residues as a cause of poisoning in crop workers. J. Amer. Med. Assoc.166, 740 (1958).
Shafik, T. M., H. C. Sullivan, and H. R. Enos: Multi-residue procedure for halo-and nitro-phenols. Measurement of exposure to biodegradable pesticides yielding these compounds as metabolites. J. Agr. Food Chem.21, 295 (1973).
Spear, R. C., W. J. Popendorf, J. T. Leffingwell, and D. L. Jenkins: Parathion residues on citrus foliage. Decay and composition as related to worker hazard. J. Agr. Food Chem.23, 808 (1975).
Ware, G. W., D. P. Morgan, B. J. Estesen, and W. P. Cahill: Establishment of reentry intervals for organophosphorus-treated cotton fields based on human data: III. 12 to 72 hours post-treatment exposure to monocrotophos, ethyl-and methyl-parathion. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.3, 289 (1975).
Wicker, G. W., R. E. Stinner, T. E. Reagan, and F. E. Guthrie: A survey of insecticide use in North Carolina. In preparation (1978).
Williams, W. A., and S. H. Gehlbach: Pesticide Investigation Report. Case No. 7572, North Carolina Department of Human Resources, Epidemiology Section, Pesticides Program, Raleigh, N.C. Unpublished report (1975).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wicker, G.W., Williams, W.A. & Guthrie, F.E. Exposure of field workers to organophosphorus insecticides: Sweet corn and peaches. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 8, 175–182 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01056322
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01056322