Biological monitoring of exposure to organophosphorus insecticides by assay of urinary alkylphosphates: influence of protective measures during manual operations with treated plants

Biological monitoring was carried out by assaying urinary dimethylated alkylphosphates [dimethyldithiophosphate (DMDTP), dimethylthio-phosphate (DMTP), and dimethylphosphate (DMP)] in 11 workers exposed to chlorpyrifos-methyl and azinphosmethyl during operations in a previously sprayed peach orchard...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inInternational archives of occupational and environmental health Vol. 66; no. 5; p. 333
Main Authors Aprea, C, Sciarra, G, Sartorelli, P, Desideri, E, Amati, R, Sartorelli, E
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Germany 1994
Subjects
Adult
Agriculture
Environmental Monitoring
Female
Humans
Insecticides - urine
Male
Middle Aged
Occupational Exposure
Organothiophosphates - urine
Organothiophosphorus Compounds - urine
Protective Clothing
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Summary:Biological monitoring was carried out by assaying urinary dimethylated alkylphosphates [dimethyldithiophosphate (DMDTP), dimethylthio-phosphate (DMTP), and dimethylphosphate (DMP)] in 11 workers exposed to chlorpyrifos-methyl and azinphosmethyl during operations in a previously sprayed peach orchard. The subjects were divided into groups on the basis of the protective clothing worn. The results were compared with those of a reference group of 99 subjects not occupationally exposed to organophosphorus insecticides. The hand-wash liquid of the workers was also analyzed to evaluate skin contamination. Significantly higher levels of urinary excretion of alkylphosphates were found in all groups than in unexposed controls (Student's t test). A good correlation was found between quantities of the active ingredients on the hands and urinary excretion of total dimethylated alkylphosphates (r = 0.788) and of DMTP (r = 0.749) and DMP (r = 0.790) alone. The correlation between azinphos-methyl on the hands and urinary excretion of DMDTP was poor (r = 0.069). Under the working conditions investigated, the main route of absorption seems to be via the skin. Respiratory absorption, however, also appears significant in view of the difference in urinary excretion of dimethylated alkylphosphates found between subjects with and without face masks.
ISSN:0340-0131
DOI:10.1007/BF00378366