The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #72079

Joan Ellen Rothlein, PhD¹, Diane S. Rohlman¹, Michael Lazarev, MS¹, Jackie Philips, BA², Susan Shapiro, RN, MSN, PhDc³, and Linda McCauley, PhD³. (1) Center for Research on Occupational and Environmental Toxicology, Oregon Health & Sciences University, 3181 Sam Jackson Park Rd.L606, Portland, OR 97201, 503 494 2502, rothlein@ohsu.edu, (2) Oregon Child Development Coalition, PO Box 2780, 9140 SW Pioneer Court Suite E, Wilsonville, OR 97070, (3) Center for Research on Occupational and Environmental Toxicology, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd. L606, Portland, OR 97239

Our understanding of the health risks of farmworkers exposed to pesticides in their work and home environment is rapidly increasing, although studies -designed to examine the possible neurobehavioral effects of low level chronic pesticide exposure and the capacity of urinary biomarkers to capture temporal changes in exposure are limited. We measured dialkyl phosphate metabolite levels in urine samples from 47 males and 45 females, collected environmental dust samples from a subset of their homes (27 homes), obtained information on work practices and conducted a battery of computerized, neurobehavioral tests at the same time that urine samples were collected. All adults worked in the orchards at the time of this study but were not pesticide applicators. Environmental and biological samples were collected at the mid-point, and end of the growing season. Elevated urinary metabolite levels are similar to those reported from studies of orchard workers in other states. Organophosphate residues found in house dust were higher than detected in non-agricultural homes in the same community. Multiple regression methods were used to analyze the association between neurobehavioral performance and levels of urinary metabolites (DMTP, DMDTP) controlling for other factors known to influence performance on these tests. The methodological issues related to the measures of neurobehavioral performance will be presented. We will also compare the neurobehavioral performance of this farmworker sample to a referent group of adults with similar sociocultural background, but who do not work in agriculture.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this session, the participants will:
• Describe the use of urinary biomarkers as a measure of workplace exposure to pesticides.
• Gain an appreciation of the complexities of designing studies to correlate low-level occupational exposures to neurobehavioral performance.

Keywords: Pesticide Exposure, Agricultural Work Safety

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.