Occupational Factors Related to Exposure to Organophospate Pesticides among Floricultural Workers

Abstract

Occupational Factors Related to Exposure to Organophospate Pesticides among Floricultural WorkersAbstract Number:2247 Karina Roxana Antonio Martínez*, Julia Blanco-Muñoz, Marina Lacasaña, Clemente Aguilar-Garduño, Maria Consuelo Escamilla-Nuñez, Cuauhtemoc Arturo Juárez-Pérez, Astrid Schilmann-Halbinger, and Mariano E. Cebrian García Karina Roxana Antonio Martínez* National Institute of Public Health, Mexico, E-mail Address: [email protected] Search for more papers by this author , Julia Blanco-Muñoz National Institute of Public Health, Mexico, E-mail Address: [email protected] Search for more papers by this author , Marina Lacasaña Andalusian School of Public Health,, Spain, E-mail Address: [email protected] Search for more papers by this author , Clemente Aguilar-Garduño Andalusian School of Public Health,, Spain, E-mail Address: [email protected] Search for more papers by this author , Maria Consuelo Escamilla-Nuñez National Institute of Public Health, Mexico, E-mail Address: [email protected] Search for more papers by this author , Cuauhtemoc Arturo Juárez-Pérez Mexican Institute of Social Security, Mexico, E-mail Address: [email protected] Search for more papers by this author , Astrid Schilmann-Halbinger National Institute of Public Health, Mexico, E-mail Address: [email protected] Search for more papers by this author , and Mariano E. Cebrian García Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute (IPN),, Mexico, E-mail Address: [email protected] Search for more papers by this author AbstractObjective: To evaluate occupational characteristics affecting urinary concentration of Dialkylphosphate (DAP) organophosphate metabolites among a group of Mexican floricultural workers.Methods: Information was obtained from 117 Mexican floricultural workers. A questionnaire was applied to get information on occupational characteristics: specific activities, Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) usage and place of work (greenhouse or outdoor). According to the activities performed and to the type of production methods, three ‘a priori’ worker categories were constructed: High exposure: field workers using traditional production methods (involving pesticides use) and handling pesticides directly (applicators, mixers and workers in charge of application equipment). Medium exposure: field workers using traditional production methods but not handling pesticides directly (weeding, harvesting, watering, fertilizing, cutting). Low exposure: administrative workers and field workers using organic production methods. The use of PPE was classified as follows: Correct: To always wear filter mask and at least one waterproof garment (overall, jacket, pants). Moderate: To always wear filter mask or at least one waterproof garment. Incorrect: Less frequent filter mask or waterproof garments use. Urinary concentration of DAP metabolites were determined using gas-liquid chromatography.Results: High and Medium exposed workers had higher creatinine-adjusted urinary DAP concentration than Low exposed workers (2.59, 2.51 and 0.95 µmol/g creatinine, respectively, p<0.004). Greenhouse workers had higher creatinine-adjusted urinary DAP concentration than outdoor workers (2.68 vs 1.25 µmol/g creatinine, p= 0.004). Only 9 workers used the PPE correctly; there were no significant differences according to this variable.Conclusion: These results shows the need to encourage the correct use of PPE and the organic production methods especially in greenhouse workers.