Effect of pesticide exposure on the cholinesterase activity of the occupationally exposed tea garden workers of northern part of West Bengal, India.

Pesticide poisoning and related deaths are a global concern, but there is little information about its effect on the occupationally exposed tea garden workers of North Bengal. This study investigates the level of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) in the blood of the tea garden workers at risk of exposure to a mixture of pesticides. The study sample consisted of pesticide exposed workers, non-exposed (control), smokers and alcoholics. AChE and BuChE activity was measured and tested for significance. Results showed that AChE activity was half in the pesticide exposed individuals than controls (≤ 0.001). BuChE activity was also significantly decreased in the pesticide exposed individuals than controls (≤ 0.001), while AChE and BuChE activity in smokers and alcoholics were not different from that of controls. However, significantly decreased AChE and BuChE activities were recorded in pesticide exposed workers compared to smokers and alcoholics. The results indicated that the decrease in enzyme activities in tea garden workers was due to mixed pesticides (containing organophosphates) exposure. Age was not found to influence the enzyme activities. However, the gender had little effect on the enzyme activities but the effect was not so prominent.