BLOOD CHOLINESTERASE LEVEL AS BIOMARKER OF ORGANOPHOSPHATE AND CARBAMATE PESTICIDE EXPOSURE EFFECT AMONG RICE FARMERS IN TARNLALORD SUB-DISTRICT PHIMAI DISTRICT NAKHON RATCHASIMA PROVINCE THAILAND

Abstract

This study aims to measure blood cholinesterase levels of acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) and plasma cholinesterase (PChE) during 3 times in dry-season crops and to assess health effects of organophosphate and carbamate pesticides exposure among rice farmers in Tarnlalord Sub-District, Phimai District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand. The study design was a cross-sectional study using face to face questionnaire interview and blood cholinesterase level tested by Test-mate ChE (Model 400). The participants were 33 male farmers and average age (± SD) was 46 (± 9.38) years old. The results showed that the ChE levels in rice farmers in 3 times including (1) the first blood collection, 24 hours after application, 72.70% of the farmers were abnormal (2) the second blood collection, 15 day after the first collection, found 48.50% of the farmers were abnormal, and (3) the third blood collection, 30 day after the first collection, found 42.40% of them were abnormal. The activity of AChE and PChE level was assessed at 3 time differences showed a statistically significant association between within 24 hours after first application and 15 days after first application and 30 days after first application and previous (24 hours and 15 days after first application) was significant associated (ANOVA, p<0.05). The farmers reported their adverse health effects related to gastrointestinal system, urinary system, eye, skin, and central nervous system. Additionally, the AChE level within 24 hours after first application was significant association in eye symptoms (Chi-square, p<0.05). In conclusion, this study showed after the rice farmers applied pesticides at the beginning, both AChE and PChE level were abnormal and self-recovering to normal level by time. The appropriated self-practices and prevention from pesticides exposure should be recommended to rice farmer regarding proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and pesticides handling to reduce adverse health effects from pesticides exposure.