The Influence of Exposure to Pesticides on Plasma Cholinesterase Levels and Hepatic, and Renal Functions among Farmers in Khan Yunis Governorate, Palestine

Abstract

Background: An increase in acute intoxication signs/symptoms indicates a serious public health problem among farmers who use organophosphate (OP) pesticides. This study aimed to assess the health effects of OP pesticides on farm workers who deal with pesticides in Khan Yunis Governorate, Palestine. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study started in March and finished in September 2021 on a total of 120 randomly selected farmers, out of them 60 subjects that used pesticides (cases group) for six months or more. The other 60 were not exposed to pesticides (controls group), aged between 20-50 years old. Sociodemographic data, health-related data, and working-related data habits of the study population were taken by interview questionnaire. Biochemical evaluations were carried out. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS 22. Results: The prevalence of abnormal plasma cholinesterase (PChE) activity among the cases group due to chemical poisoning was significantly higher as compared to those in the control group (p ≤ 0.05). The case group has higher levels of serum liver enzymes (AST, ALT, & ALP) when compared with the control group (p ≤ 0.05 for all). The kidney function indicators (creatinine and urea) were significantly higher among the cases group as compared to the control group (p ≤ 0.05 for all). The occurrence of headaches is associated with abnormal PCHE activity among farmers who on pesticides. Conclusion: The decrease in PCHE activity and increase in serum AST, ALT, ALP, urea & creatinine that were observed among farmers who were on pesticides-using in the current study indicate the adverse and toxic effects of pesticides on the liver and kidney functions among them, so these observations should be of interest to health and environmental policymakers in Palestine.