Blood cholinesterase activity in workers exposed to organophosphorus insecticide »Ekatin«

Da ocijenimo stupanj ugroženosti radnika u jednoj tvornici pesticida, izvršili smo 6-tjednu kontrolu grupe od 16 radnika zaposlenih u proizvodnji organskog fosfornog insekticida Ekatina. Prethodno smo utvrdili akutnu toksičnost koncentrata što se koristi u proizvodnji Ekatina kao i njegova inhibitorna svojstva na kolinesteraze ljudske krvi in vitro. Dobiveni podaci poslužili su nam za procjenu opasnosti kojoj su radnici izloženi tijekom pojedinih faza proizvodnje, kao i za izbor metoda za mjerenje aktivnosti kolinesteraza krvi spomenutih radnika. Rezultati pak rada u cjelini omogućili su nam da na osnovi realne ocjene ugroženosti predložimo mjere za djelotvornu preventivu otrovanja u pogonu.In order to evaluate the level of exposure in a pesticide formulating plant a six-week control of a group of 16 workers engaged in the production of organophosphate insecticide »Ekatin« was performed. In preliminary studies the acute toxicity of the active substance used in the production of Ekatin was determined and its inhibitory properties as regards human blood cholinesterase examined in vitro. The results obtained were used to evaluate the hazard to which workers are exposed in the course of production and to select the methods for measuring cholinesterase activity in workers\u27 blood. On the ground of the actual evaluation of occupational exposure we were able to suggest the measures for efficient prevention of poisoning in the plant