Evaluation of toxicity due to commercial pesticides in female workers
Ahmad, R.; Baloach, M.K.; Ahmad, A.; Rauf, R.; Siddiqui, H.; Khokar, M.Y.
Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences 20(4): 392-396
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 1682-024X Document Number: 262709
Objective: To determine the agricultural sprays hazards in female workers at Multan. Settings: Cotton research station, government of Punjab, Multan. Main outcomes measure: Age, work experience, physical health, marital status, fertility, menstrual status, number of offspring, number of abortion, blood choline esterase level, reproductive hormonal assay. Results: The overall age of the 38 participants included in the study was in the range of 12-50 years. Most of the participants enjoyed good physical health. The overall toxicity determined through the reproductive hormonal assay was 18.42%; with 22.22% in the married group and 9.09% in the unmarried group. Eleven participants were in follicular phase of menstrual cycle, two were in luteal state, five were in mid cycle, six were pregnant, six participants had menopause, one had lactational amenorrhoea while seven were poisoning cases with no infertility case. The blood plasma level of acetylcholine esterase (AChE) of 7.8% participants were on safe side, 42.86% were in alarming situation while 52.63% participants were in dangerous condition. Conclusion: Agricultural pesticides are the endocrine disrupting chemicals which poses a health threat, particularly to the sensitive gender, frequent farm workers and onward into their children.