Organophosphate (OP) pesticides are widely used in agriculture, vector control, and represent a global public health concern, particularly for occupationally exposed farmers and applicators. This study aimed to evaluate the associations among urinary dialkylphosphate (DAP) metabolites, cholinesterase activities, and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) polymorphisms in an indigenous population in Mexico. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 191 farmworkers. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire addressing sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, pesticide exposure, and dietary intake. Venous blood and urine samples were obtained to determine cholinesterase activities and urinary DAP concentrations, respectively. Detectable urinary DAP levels were identified, with dimethylthiophosphate (DMTP) as the predominant metabolite. BuChE activity was significantly associated with dietary lipid and carbohydrate intake. A high prevalence of ancestral genotypes was observed in the BuChE gene. Age-stratified analyses demonstrated differences in cholinesterase activities, and males with low BuChE activity exhibited higher urinary DAP metabolite concentrations. These findings highlight variability in OP pesticide metabolite levels and their relationships with dietary factors and genetic background among indigenous agricultural workers. Improved understanding of these interactions is essential for mitigating exposure-related health risks in vulnerable populations.

This study aimed to shed light on the potential relationships between blood volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and sleep health as well as mortality. We employed generalized linear (GL), restricted cubic spline (RCS), weighted quantile sum (WQS), quantile-based g-calculation (QGC), and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models to assess the relationship between blood VOCs-including bromoform (NHANES code: LBXVBF), bromodichloromethane (LBXVBM), chloroform (LBXVCF), dibromochloromethane (LBXVCM), and methyl tert-butyl ether (LBXVME)-and sleep health indicators (trouble sleeping, sleep disorders, and insufficient (< 6h/day) or excessive (> 9h/day) sleep) in participants from the NHANES 2007-2012. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was also used for survival analysis. The baseline profile categorized by sex showed that women had a higher prevalence of trouble sleeping, whereas men were more prone to insufficient sleep. We did not observe significant linear-correlations between VOCs and both increased sleep duration and poor sleep patterns, as shown by the weighted linear/logistic regression models. The RCS regression model indicated significant non-linear relationships (P for non-linear < 0.05) between certain VOC and sleep health. Adjusted QGC analysis highlighted LBXVBF as a crucial factor related to poor sleep quality (weighted 0.733). The BKMR analysis showed a positive trend between VOC levels (55th to 75th percentiles) and poor sleep pattern. Furthermore, the adjusted COX-RCS analysis identified LBXVME (P for non-linear = 0.0359) as a risk factor for all-cause mortality. This study investigated the non-linear association between VOC exposure and sleep function, suggesting that VOC exposure may be linked to poor sleep patterns among U.S. adults.

BackgroundLimited research has explored the relationship between occupational noise exposure and liver enzymes, particularly at the individual exposure level. This study examines the association between occupational noise exposure and liver enzyme levels and the mediating role of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD).MethodsWe recruited 3,427 workers from two factories in Guangzhou, China. Cumulative noise exposure (CNE) was estimated based on noise levels and years of exposure. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels were obtained from medical examinations. Linear and logistic regression models, along with subgroup and mediation analyses, were employed to assess the associations between CNE and liver enzyme levels.ResultsCumulative noise exposure (CNE) demonstrated a dose-response relationship with liver health indicators, with significant associations observed across different statistical models. Specifically, each 10 dB(A)-year increase in CNE was associated with a 2.10 U/L increase in ALT levels and a 26% higher risk of elevated ALT. Concurrently, categorical models revealed that workers in the highest CNE group had significantly increased risks of elevated ALT, AST, and GGT, with the most pronounced effect observed for AST. These associations were significantly strengthened by insufficient physical activity (Pfor interaction<0.05). Notably, MAFLD mediated approximately 15–20% of the observed associations between CNE and liver enzymes (such as ALT and GGT).ConclusionOccupational noise exposure is positively associated with liver enzymes, with MAFLD as a partial mediator. Noise control measures and liver function monitoring may help mitigate liver dysfunction.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00420-025-02191-2.