Variations in Cholinesterase activity in Oil Palm Plantation Workers Exposed to Pesticides

Pesticides including organophosphates (OPs) and carbamates are used extensively in public health and agriculture to increase crop yields. The abuse of pesticides can have a serious impact on farmer’s health. The objective of this study is to study changes in serum cholinesterase activity (BChE) as a biological marker of PO poisoning. Workers in a palm tree oil unit during periods of exposure and non-exposure to pesticides, as well as a control group were selected randomly. The clinical signs reported are those observed in the subjects exposed to organophosphates and anticholinesterase carbamates. The serum enzymatic activity (AES) of cholinesterase was quantified by spectrophotometry. The average serum cholinesterase level during the exposure and non-exposure period was 4225.64 U / l ± 791.10 and 4766.47 ± 873.32 versus 6588.95 U / l ± 1303, respectively, 42 the control level (n = 43) (p