Evaluation of suspected chronic pesticide poisoning among residents near agriculture fields

The present study was performed to evaluate the incidence of organophosphorus toxicity among agrarian and non agrarian subjects residing near agriculture fields. The location of this study was Nawakot village, Multan. From the cotton producing area of Multan, 225 volunteers (farmers) including 103 females and 122 males were selected. Children 12 years of age constitute 15% of the population. A total of 100 volunteers (non agrarians) from Multan city were taken as control. Blood (4 ml) was drawn from the volunteers to test the level of acetylcholine estrase (Ach E) in plasma. The blood samples were then analysed at the laboratory of National Poison Control Center (NPCC). Organo-phosphate (OP) carbamates (CM) both act to block Ach E hydrolysis, necessary for synaptic response in the CNS. Acute illnesses were seen in 6 (2.67%), children (group 1). They had fever and signs of pulmonary infections. Generalised weakness was found in 9 males and 13 females. Paraesthesia was found in 11 volunteers of group IV. Blood sampling test revealed that 6 volunteers (2.67%) had plasma Ach E below 5300 IU/ml ( 50% reduction), whereas 4 volunteers had Ach E level between 5300 - 5500 IU/ml ( 45% reduction), 81 volunteers fall in group c, and 126 individuals had an Ach E reduction of at least 25% and 8 volunteers had the serum cholinesterase level above 10000 IU/ml. None of volunteers had the value above 11000 IU whereas plasma Ach E level of control population was between 11500 - 13500 IU/ml. Medical tests of the level of Ach E in plasma suggest that the overall incidence of poisoning from exposure to OP CM is quite high, and appears to be consistent with the results from other studies in other developing countries