| Document ID (ISN) | 59234 |
| CIS number |
92-1970 |
| ISSN - Serial title |
0030-0632 - Boletín de la Oficina Sanitaria Panamericana |
| Year |
1988 |
| Convention or series no. |
|
| Author(s) |
Cole D.C., McConnell R., Murray D.L., Pacheco Antón F. |
| Title |
Pesticide illness surveillance: The Nicaraguan experience |
| Original title |
Vigilancia de las enfermedades provocadas por plaguicidas: la experiencia nicaragüense [in Spanish] |
| Bibliographic information |
Sep. 1988, Vol.105, No.3, p.231-244. Illus. 30 ref. |
| Abstract |
A pilot project aimed at improving the surveillance of diseases caused by pesticides was initiated in 1984 in two provinces of Nicaragua (León and Chinandega). In order to detect the degree of exposure to organophosphorus compounds, cholinesterase screening was performed. The percentage with low cholinesterase activity level (50% or less) increased sharply during the peak spraying season. Airfield workers were most affected. Workers who used certain types of personal protective equipment were significantly less affected. A relatively high rate of 74.6 poisoning cases per 100,000 inhabitants was reported. 94% of the cases reported via questionnaires were occupationally related, small farms being the most affected. Methyl parathion was implicated in roughly half of these cases, two-thirds of which were due to cutaneous exposure. Recommendations include: reduction of methyl parathion use, installation of closed systems for safer aircraft loading, provision and use of skin-protective clothing, and restriction of pesticide work by minors. Summary in English. Also published in English in the Bulletin of the Pan American Health Organization (Vol.22, No.2, 1988). |
| Descriptors (primary) |
Nicaragua; organophosphorus compounds; methyl parathion; agriculture; pesticides |
| Descriptors (secondary) |
small enterprises; personal protective equipment; questionnaire survey; skin absorption |
| Document type |
D - Periodical articles |
| Country / State or Province | Canada; Nicaragua |
| Subject(s) |
Toxic and dangerous substances
|
| Broad subject area(s) |
Chemical safety
|
| Browse category(ies) |
Agricultural chemicals
Esters and salts
Agriculture
|
