Abstract:
Malathion is one of the widely used organophosphorus pesticides. The
adopted threshold limit value (TLV) for malathion is 10 mg/m3 of air in
Egypt. The present study aimed at the evaluation of the currently applied
TLV of malathion as a safe level for chronic exposure. This cross-sectional
study included all exposed workers (n=42 males) in a factory producing
malathion in Alexandria, and a corresponding control group of 30 male individuals.
All participants were subjected to questioning, clinical examination concerning
cardio-neurological manifestations, ECG and measurement of RBC, plasma
and percent total activity of cholinesterase. Air samples from the different
departments were analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography for malathion.
Environmental air levels of malathion were below
TLV. Difficulty in concentration, emotional outbursts and tremors were
significantly reported manifestations in relation to both exposure and
low cholinesterase activity (p<0.05 for all). Significant reduction
of RBC, plasma and percent total activity of cholinesterase were observed
for workers exposed to 8.35 mg/m3 in comparison with those exposed to other
levels and controls (p<0.01). A hypothetical level of 5 mg/m3 of air
was proposed as a health based 8-hour time weighted average exposure to
malathion.
| Received: 29 September 1998
Accepted: 08 December 1998 Posted: 3 April 1999 |
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