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Neurotoxic Effects on Banana Workers Exposed to Agrochemicals: Ecuador Case Study

Abstract:

Organophosphorus insecticides (OPs) are pest and disease control agents used worldwide to improve agricultural processes. Erythrrhytic acetylcholinesterase is the biomarker of choice for the biological monitoring of the working population exposed to organophosphorous pesticides, because the combination of agrochemicals with this enzyme acetylcholinesterase in the nerve endings of the brain and nervous system prevent the transmission of nerve impulses, causing poisoning. The objective of this study was to determine the neurotoxic effects associated with chronic exposure to pesticides by applying the Neurological-Psychological Questionnaire (PNF) and laboratory analysis (erythritemia acetylcholinesterase levels). A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on workers from six banana plantations who are occupationally exposed to organophosphorous pesticides, represented by 103 individuals out of 138 who constituted the universe, as inclusion criteria were considered agricultural workers exposed for a period longer than six months, with apparent good health condition, without psychosocial habits (smoking, alcohol intake). The prevalence of persistent symptoms was 6 per 10 workers in men and 5 per 10 workers in women, in turn, using linear regression models, it was possible to pbkp_redict the values of neurological (N) symptoms and psychoneurovegative instability (NP) compared to the independent variable of erythrctarian acetylcholinesterase (AchE) levels. This research showed a marked decrease in the values of erythrctarian acetylcholinesterase (AchE) showing signs and symptoms that characterize pesticide overexposure and likely chronic poisoning in banana workers.