Objective Biological monitoring is an essential component
for assessing the exposure of individuals to organophosphate
pesticides. The aim of this study was to
determine cholinesterase activity, pesticide exposure and
health eVects in the exposed population.
Methods A total of 90 individuals occupationally exposed
to OPs and 30 controls were recruited in this study. Erythrocyte
acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase
(BuChE) activities were measured in two periods of
low- and high-exposure.
Results There were statistically signiWcant decrease in
AChE and BuChE activities in the high-exposure period
(20.73 § 0.99 U/gHb and 3.73 § 0.19 U/mL, respectively,
P < 0.001) compared to the low-exposure period (29.81 §
1.19 U/gHb and 4.92 § 0.19 U/mL, respectively). All
enzyme activities in the exposed group were statistically
lower than in the control group. Analysis of the relation
between cholinesterase activity and symptoms showed signiWcant
evidences.