Impairment in biochemical indices in sprayers exposed to commonly used organophosphorus and pyrethroids: A case study

Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of spraying organophosphate, carbamate and synthetic pyrethroid pesticides on biochemical parameters viz., red blood cell (RBC) acetylcholine esterase (AchE) and plasma butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activities, oxidative stress parameters viz., plasma T-BARs, catalase activity and antioxidant levels such as reduced glutathione, and α-tocopherol and pesticide residues (analysed using the GC/LC-MS/MS) in sprayers cultivating cotton, chilly and paddy crops in Guntur district for a period of >10 years. The study population included sprayers (120) with a mean age of 37.8 ± 10.8 years and controls (60) with a mean age of 37.3 ± 12.2 years. A significant difference was observed for AchE, BChE activities, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARs), catalase activity, reduced glutathione and the concentration of pesticide residues in the sprayers cultivating different crops for a period of >10 years as compared to the controls. However, there is no such significant difference observed for α-tocopherol.

Key words: Pesticide residues, chronic exposure, biochemical indices,  sprayers running head, biochemical indices, pesticide residues in sprayers