Stephens R, Spurgeon A, Calvert I A, Beach J, Levy L S, Berry H, Harrington J M
Institute of Occupational Health, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, UK.
Lancet. 1995 May 6;345(8958):1135-9. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(95)90976-1.
Organophosphate-based pesticides are widely used throughout the world. The acute effects of over-exposure to such compounds are well known. Concern has also been expressed that long-term exposure may result in damage to the nervous system. In a cross-sectional study, we compared neuropsychological performance in 146 sheep farmers who were exposed to organophosphates in the course of sheep dipping with 143 non-exposed quarry workers (controls). The farmers performed significantly worse than controls in tests to assess sustained attention and speed of information processing. These effects remained after adjustment for covariates. The farmers also showed greater vulnerability to psychiatric disorder than did the controls as measured by the General Health Questionnaire. There were no observed effects on short-term memory and learning. Repeated exposure to organophosphate-based pesticides appears to be associated with subtle changes in the nervous system. Measures should be taken to reduce exposure to organophosphates as far as possible during agricultural operations.
基于有机磷的杀虫剂在全球范围内被广泛使用。过度接触此类化合物的急性影响是众所周知的。也有人担心长期接触可能会导致神经系统受损。在一项横断面研究中，我们比较了146名在给羊浸药过程中接触有机磷的养羊农民与143名未接触的采石场工人（对照组）的神经心理表现。在评估持续注意力和信息处理速度的测试中，农民的表现明显比对照组差。在对协变量进行调整后，这些影响依然存在。根据一般健康问卷的测量，农民比对照组更容易患精神疾病。未观察到对短期记忆和学习的影响。反复接触基于有机磷的杀虫剂似乎与神经系统的细微变化有关。在农业操作过程中，应采取措施尽可能减少有机磷的接触。
