PESTICIDE EXPOSURE AND NEUROLOGIC FUNCTION IN FARMWORKER

工作综述：美国农药使用量增加 在过去的50年里发生了很大的变化。某些职业组别以及 普通公众可能会接触到杀虫剂，但杀虫剂对健康的影响 没有得到很好的研究。尽管急性高水平的神经毒性 暴露是有据可查的，但对其影响知之甚少。 长期低水平接触。我们已经进行了一项横断面研究 职业性农药暴露对农场工人的神经学影响 在佛罗里达州中部。参与者是从成员中确定的 当地一家信用社名单，由农民工工作人员招募 佛罗里达州协会，一个基层组织，代表 农场工人。现场工作完成；230名暴露在病毒中的工人来自3个 农业类型--蕨类、苗圃和柑橘--以及70种控制 在农业方面经验相对较少的工人参加了 这项研究。大约85%的参与者是西班牙裔；两人都是 女性也被包括在内。暴露于杀虫剂的评估是使用 收集有关终身生活的信息的结构化面谈 有从事农场工作、农药中毒和农药卫生的历史 作为特定类型农业的工作实践。神经功能 通过一系列测试进行评估，包括神经行为测试 认知和精神运动功能、视力测试、 评估周围神经病变的振动触觉敏感性，以及测试 姿势摆动，以评估平衡性。目前正在准备数据 以供分析。农药代谢相关基因的多态性 还将进行研究，以评估遗传易感性的作用。这个 这项研究的结果将阐明接触杀虫剂对 神经功能，并解决健康问题 服务不足的少数群体。美国的杀虫剂使用 在过去的50年里大幅增加，但对健康的影响 接触杀虫剂的情况仍不清楚。急性、高水平的影响 暴露在神经功能上是有据可查的。我们正在计划一项 慢性低水平辐射对神经学影响的横断面研究 曝光。我们将研究农场工人，他们可能处于高度暴露状态。 这项研究将在佛罗里达州中部进行，与 佛罗里达州农场工人协会，一个草根组织代表 派遣农场工人。参与者将从成员中确定 当地一家信用社名单，由农民工工作人员招募 协会。大约95%的参与者将是西班牙裔； 男性和女性都将被包括在内。200名接触过病毒的工人，来自三个 农业的类型--蕨类、苗圃和柑橘--将被比较 到100名农业经验相对较少的对照工人。 接触杀虫剂将使用结构化的面对面评估 采访将收集有关的终身历史信息 农活、农药中毒、农药卫生以及工作 在特定类型的农业中的实践。神经功能将会 使用一系列测试进行评估，包括神经行为测试 认知和精神运动功能、视力测试、 评估周围神经病变的振动触觉敏感性，以及测试 姿势摆动，以评估平衡性。人类免疫缺陷相关基因的多态性 还将研究农药新陈代谢，以评估其作用 遗传易感性。这项研究的结果将阐明 农药暴露对神经功能的影响以及对 服务不足的少数群体的健康问题。

Summary of Work: Pesticide use in the United States has increased greatly in the last 50 years. Certain occupational groups as well as the general public may be exposed, but the health effects of pesticides have not been well studied. Although the neurotoxicity of acute high-level exposure is well-documented, little is known regarding the effects of chronic low-level exposure. We have conducted a cross-sectional study of the neurologic effects of occupational pesticide exposure in farmworkers in central Florida. Participants were identified from the membership list of a local Credit Union and recruited by staff of the Farmworkers Association of Florida, a grassroots organization representing farmworkers. Field work is complete; 230 exposed workers from three types of agriculture -- ferns, nurseries, and citrus -- and 70 control workers with relatively little experience in agriculture were enrolled in the study. Approximately 85% of the participants were Hispanic; both men and women were included. Exposure to pesticides was assessed using a structured in-person interview which collected information about lifetime history of farmwork, pesticide poisoning, and pesticide hygiene as well as work practices in specific types of agriculture. Neurologic function was assessed using a battery of tests, including neurobehavioral tests of cognitive and psychomotor function, tests of vision, a test of vibrotactile sensitivity to evaluate peripheral neuropathy, and a test of postural sway, to assess equilibrium. Data are presently being prepared for analysis. Polymorphisms in genes involved in pesticide metabolism will also be studied, to evaluate the role of genetic susceptibility. The results of this study will elucidate the effects of pesticide exposure on neurologic function and also address the health problems of an underserved minority group.Pesticide use in the United States has increased greatly in the last 50 years, but the health effects of pesticide exposure are still unclear. Effects of acute, high-level exposures on neurologic function are well-documented. We are planning a cross-sectional study of the neurologic effects of chronic, low-level exposure. We will study farmworkers, who are potentially highly exposed. The study will be conducted in central Florida, in collaboration with the Farmworkers Association of Florida, a grassroots organization repre- senting farmworkers. Participants will be identified from the membership list of a local Credit Union and recruited by staff of the Farmworkers Association. Approximately 95% of the participants will be Hispanic; both men and women will be included. 200 exposed workers from three types of agriculture -- ferns, nurseries, and citrus -- will be compared to 100 control workers with relatively little experience in agriculture. Exposure to pesticides will be assessed using a structured in-person interview which will collect information about lifetime history of farmwork, pesticide poisoning, and pesticide hygiene as well as work practices in specific types of agriculture. Neurologic function will be assessed using a battery of tests, including neurobehavioral tests of cognitive and psychomotor function, tests of vision, a test of vibrotactile sensitivity to evaluate peripheral neuropathy, and a test of postural sway, to assess equilibrium. Polymorphisms in genes involved in pesticide metabolism will also be studied, to evaluate the role of genetic susceptibility. The results of this study will elucidate the effects of pesticide exposure on neurologic function and also address the health problems of an underserved minority group.