PESTICIDE EXPOSURE AND NEUROLOGIC FUNCTION IN FARMWORKER

我们对佛罗里达中部农场工人慢性低水平职业性农药暴露的亚临床神经学效应进行了横断面研究。 参与者是从当地一家信用合作社的会员名单中确定的，并由代表农场工人的基层组织佛罗里达农场工人协会的工作人员招募。 现场工作完成; 250名来自三种类型农业（蕨类植物、苗圃和柑橘）的接触工人和70名农业经验相对较少的对照工人参加了这项研究。 大约85%的参与者是西班牙裔;男性和女性都包括在内。 农药暴露进行了评估，使用结构化的面对面访谈，收集信息的终身历史的农活，农药中毒，农药卫生以及在特定类型的农业工作实践。 使用一系列测试评估神经功能，包括认知和精神功能的神经行为测试、视觉测试、评价周围神经病变的振动触觉敏感性测试和评估平衡的姿势摇摆测试。 目前正在进行数据分析。 对氧磷酶多态性正在分析，以评估遗传易感性的作用。

We have conducted a cross-sectional study of subclinical neurologic effects of chronic low-level 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 repre-senting farmworkers. Field work is complete; 250 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 partici-pants 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 neuro-behavioral 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 analysis is presently underway. Paraoxonase polymorphisms are being analyzed to evaluate the role of genetic susceptibility.