Factors associated with health effects from occupational exposure to pesticide residues among greengrocers in fresh market, Bangkok, Thailand

ABSTRACT

Greengrocers are occupationally exposed to pesticide residues (PRs) on vegetables via dermal contact, especially organophosphates (OPs). The study's aim was to explore health effects from exposure to PRs. Eighty five vegetable vendors at a large fresh market in Bangkok were tested blood cholinesterase activity by the Test-mate ChE Kit (Model 400). The average acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and plasma cholinesterase (PChE) levels were 3.33 ± 0.66 U/ml and 2.06 ± 0.46 U/ml, respectively. The subjective symptoms were skin rash/itching, fatigue/tiredness, eye irritation/blurred vision, headache, and excessive sweating. Multiple linear regression analysis showed a positively significant association between scores of practices regarding exposure to PRs and AChE levels, and a negatively significant relationship between OP residues on hands and PChE levels (p-value < 0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that either AChE or PChE was significantly associated with eye symptoms and neuromuscular symptoms (p-value < 0.05). A statistically significant association between low score of dermal practice and having skin symptoms was found. Exposure to PRs by hand contact and consumption with poor hygiene habits can pose health problems among greengrocers. The findings emphasized that good personal hygiene practices such as wearing gloves and washing hands can prevent and reduce the health effects from exposure to PRs.

KEYWORDS:

• blood cholinesterase
• health symptom
• dermal exposure
• pesticide residue
• greengrocer

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by Ratchadaphiseksomphot Fund, Chulalongkorn University for the Postdoctoral Fellowship, Grant for International Research Integration: Chula Research Scholar, Ratchadaphiseksomphot Endowment Fund (GCURS 59-06-79-01), Chulalongkorn University, and NIH-NIEHS CEED P30 ES005022, and New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, Rutgers University. College of Public Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University is also acknowledged. Ethics approval was obtained from the Ethics Review Committee for Research Involving Human Research Subjects, Health Science Group, Chulalongkorn University (COA No. 046/2558). In addition, the authors wish to thank the greengrocers of Padung Krung Kasem market for their assistance and encouragement.