Serum paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) genotype and exposure to organophosphorous insectides--is there a high-risk population?

The Health Studies Branch (HSB) is responsible for responding to domestic and international requests for assistance with suspected and known environmental-associated public health threats as well as pursuing original environmental research. The HSB employs personnel with a wide variety of educational backgrounds and professional training including epidemiology, medicine, toxicology, statistics, and other environmental public health-related disciplines. This wide range of expertise is necessary to address the broad scope of potential environmental health threats. HSB scientists conduct studies on environmental exposures. Recent examples include the following: mercury exposure in children living in large urban areas, exposure to brevetoxins and microcystins arising from harmful algal blooms, and occupational exposures to pesticides. This article will present a brief description of an ongoing study of insecticide exposure and paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) genotype in banana plantation workers in Chinandega, Nicaragua. We will then discuss the enzyme PON-1 and its potential role in organophosphate insecticide metabolism and toxicity.