Urinary metabolites of diazinon and chlorpyrifos in sprayer operators and farm workers of a potato farm

Abstract

In order to investigate the effect of diazinon and chlorpyrifos on agricultural workers exposed to pesticides, urinary metabolites 2-Isopropyl-6-methyl-4-pyrimidinol (IMPy) and 3,5,6-Trichloro-2-pyridinol (TPCy) in farm workers, sprayer operators, and non-exposed people as a control group were measured. The modified QuEChERS method was applied to extract samples and was measured using a gas chromatograph/nitrogen-phosphorus detector. The obtained results showed that the median concentrations of TCPy were 36.92–547.7 and 7.7–49.58 ng/mL for sprayer operators and farm workers, respectively. Moreover, the median concentrations of IMPy were 81.66–593.1 ng/mL for sprayer operators and 40.6–66.1 ng/mL for farm workers. The control group had no measurable metabolites. The IMPy level of 60% of sprayer operators was significantly higher (P ˂ 0.05) than the TCPy level. The analysis of variance highlighted the significant relationship (P ˂ 0.05) between the levels of each metabolite and the use of safety gloves, respiratory masks, safety goggles, working time per week, and type of insecticide exposure. Our findings revealed the need to measure the urinary metabolites of these insecticides in other exposed workers. Also, workers should be taught the impact of using personal protective equipment.