Neurological symptoms among Sri Lankan farmers occupationally exposed to acetylcholinesterase-inhibiting insecticides

Lidwien A M Smit; Berna N van-Wendel-de-Joode; Dick Heederik; Roshini J Peiris-John; Wim van der Hoek

doi:10.1002/ajim.10271

Neurological symptoms among Sri Lankan farmers occupationally exposed to acetylcholinesterase-inhibiting insecticides

Lidwien A M Smit, Berna N van-Wendel-de-Joode, Dick Heederik, Roshini J Peiris-John, Wim van der Hoek

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In many agricultural districts in Sri Lanka, pesticide poisoning is a leading cause of death. This study aims to evaluate the impact of pesticide use on Sri Lankan farmers' health.

METHODS: A total of 260 subjects were surveyed in both a low and a high exposure period. Acetylcholinesterase activity was measured and data on symptoms were collected with questionnaires.

RESULTS: Twenty-four percent of surveyed farmers had suffered at least once from acute pesticide poisoning. Farmers showed significantly more inhibition of cholinesterase activity than controls. Acute symptoms indicative for exposure to cholinesterase-inhibiting pesticides were associated with farming and a higher degree of cholinesterase suppression (more than 13% inhibition). Integrated Pest Management (IPM) training seemed to result in less insecticide use, and less cholinesterase inhibition.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that occupational acetylcholinesterase-inhibiting insecticide exposures have a negative impact on Sri Lankan farmers' health. Overall reduction in pesticide use seems the best option to protect farmers from the adverse effects of pesticides.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	254-264
Number of pages	11
Journal	American Journal of Industrial Medicine
Volume	44
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.10271
Publication status	Published - Sept 2003

Keywords

pesticide exposure
acetylcholinesterase inhibition
neurologicalsymptoms
IPM
Sri Lanka

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title = "Neurological symptoms among Sri Lankan farmers occupationally exposed to acetylcholinesterase-inhibiting insecticides",

abstract = "BACKGROUND: In many agricultural districts in Sri Lanka, pesticide poisoning is a leading cause of death. This study aims to evaluate the impact of pesticide use on Sri Lankan farmers' health.METHODS: A total of 260 subjects were surveyed in both a low and a high exposure period. Acetylcholinesterase activity was measured and data on symptoms were collected with questionnaires.RESULTS: Twenty-four percent of surveyed farmers had suffered at least once from acute pesticide poisoning. Farmers showed significantly more inhibition of cholinesterase activity than controls. Acute symptoms indicative for exposure to cholinesterase-inhibiting pesticides were associated with farming and a higher degree of cholinesterase suppression (more than 13% inhibition). Integrated Pest Management (IPM) training seemed to result in less insecticide use, and less cholinesterase inhibition.CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that occupational acetylcholinesterase-inhibiting insecticide exposures have a negative impact on Sri Lankan farmers' health. Overall reduction in pesticide use seems the best option to protect farmers from the adverse effects of pesticides.",

keywords = "pesticide exposure, acetylcholinesterase inhibition, neurologicalsymptoms, IPM, Sri Lanka",

author = "Smit, {Lidwien A M} and van-Wendel-de-Joode, {Berna N} and Dick Heederik and Peiris-John, {Roshini J} and {van der Hoek}, Wim",

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T1 - Neurological symptoms among Sri Lankan farmers occupationally exposed to acetylcholinesterase-inhibiting insecticides

AU - Smit, Lidwien A M

AU - van-Wendel-de-Joode, Berna N

AU - Heederik, Dick

AU - Peiris-John, Roshini J

AU - van der Hoek, Wim

PY - 2003/9

Y1 - 2003/9

N2 - BACKGROUND: In many agricultural districts in Sri Lanka, pesticide poisoning is a leading cause of death. This study aims to evaluate the impact of pesticide use on Sri Lankan farmers' health.METHODS: A total of 260 subjects were surveyed in both a low and a high exposure period. Acetylcholinesterase activity was measured and data on symptoms were collected with questionnaires.RESULTS: Twenty-four percent of surveyed farmers had suffered at least once from acute pesticide poisoning. Farmers showed significantly more inhibition of cholinesterase activity than controls. Acute symptoms indicative for exposure to cholinesterase-inhibiting pesticides were associated with farming and a higher degree of cholinesterase suppression (more than 13% inhibition). Integrated Pest Management (IPM) training seemed to result in less insecticide use, and less cholinesterase inhibition.CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that occupational acetylcholinesterase-inhibiting insecticide exposures have a negative impact on Sri Lankan farmers' health. Overall reduction in pesticide use seems the best option to protect farmers from the adverse effects of pesticides.

AB - BACKGROUND: In many agricultural districts in Sri Lanka, pesticide poisoning is a leading cause of death. This study aims to evaluate the impact of pesticide use on Sri Lankan farmers' health.METHODS: A total of 260 subjects were surveyed in both a low and a high exposure period. Acetylcholinesterase activity was measured and data on symptoms were collected with questionnaires.RESULTS: Twenty-four percent of surveyed farmers had suffered at least once from acute pesticide poisoning. Farmers showed significantly more inhibition of cholinesterase activity than controls. Acute symptoms indicative for exposure to cholinesterase-inhibiting pesticides were associated with farming and a higher degree of cholinesterase suppression (more than 13% inhibition). Integrated Pest Management (IPM) training seemed to result in less insecticide use, and less cholinesterase inhibition.CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that occupational acetylcholinesterase-inhibiting insecticide exposures have a negative impact on Sri Lankan farmers' health. Overall reduction in pesticide use seems the best option to protect farmers from the adverse effects of pesticides.

KW - pesticide exposure

KW - acetylcholinesterase inhibition

KW - neurologicalsymptoms

KW - IPM

KW - Sri Lanka

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DO - 10.1002/ajim.10271

M3 - Article

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SN - 0271-3586

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JO - American Journal of Industrial Medicine

JF - American Journal of Industrial Medicine

IS - 3

ER -

Neurological symptoms among Sri Lankan farmers occupationally exposed to acetylcholinesterase-inhibiting insecticides

Abstract

Keywords

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