Assessment of cholinesterase in greenhouse workers exposed to insecticides in the coastal region of Syria

Sondos Hesenow1, M. Amer Zamri

Abstract

To evaluate the health impact of spraying anticholinesterase insecticides (organophosphates and carbamates)100 sprayers in the greenhouses of coastal region in Syria were selected randomly. Serum butyryl cholinesterase (BChE) was assessed among sprayers after spraying pesticides and the findings obtained were compared with those determined in a reference group(n=50).The most common symptoms observed were itching/skin irritation (34%) and eye irritation and ophthalmia(17%) in the exposed workers. Serum butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) was significantly decreased in workers(P<0.01). Monitoring of BChE in pesticide sprayers in greenhouses could be useful to predict and prevent health hazards ofthese pesticides.