Journal article
Neurobehavioral function and organophosphate insecticide use among pesticide applicators in the Agricultural Health Study
Neurotoxicology and teratology, Vol.34(1), pp.168-176
01/2012
DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2011.08.014
PMID: 21907279
Abstract
Although persistent decrements in cognitive function have been observed among persons who have recovered from clinically overt organophosphate (OP) pesticide poisoning, little is known about the cognitive effects of chronic OP exposures that do not result in acute poisoning. To examine associations between long-term pesticide use and neurobehavioral (NB) function, NB tests were administered to licensed pesticide applicators enrolled in the Agricultural Health Study (AHS) in Iowa and North Carolina. Between 2006 and 2008, 701 male participants completed nine NB tests to assess memory, motor speed and coordination, sustained attention, verbal learning and visual scanning and processing. Data on ever-use and lifetime days of use of 16 OP pesticides were obtained from AHS interviews conducted before testing between 1993 and 2007 and during the NB visit. The mean age of participants was 61years (SD=12). Associations between pesticide use and NB test performance were estimated with linear regression controlling for age and outcome-specific covariates. NB test performance was associated with lifetime days of use of some pesticides. Ethoprop was significantly associated with reduced performance on a test of motor speed and visual scanning. Malathion was significantly associated with poor performance on a test of visual scanning and processing. Conversely, we observed significantly better test performance for five OP pesticides. Specifically, chlorpyrifos, coumaphos, parathion, phorate, and tetrachlorvinphos were associated with better verbal learning and memory; coumaphos was associated with better performance on a test of motor speed and visual scanning; and parathion was associated with better performance on a test of sustained attention. Several associations varied by state. Overall, we found no consistent evidence of an association between OP pesticide use and adverse NB test performance among this older sample of pesticide applicators. Potential reasons for these mostly null results include a true absence of effect as well as possible selective participation by healthier applicators. ► Associations between specific organophosphate pesticide use and neurobehavioral function were examined. ► Nine neurobehavioral tests were administered to 701 pesticide applicators. ► Specific organophosphate use was associated with poorer performance on three neurobehavioral tests. ► Specific organophosphate use was associated with better performance on six neurobehavioral tests. ► The results do not show an association between organophosphate use and impaired neurobehavioral function in this sample.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Neurobehavioral function and organophosphate insecticide use among pesticide applicators in the Agricultural Health Study
- Creators
- Sarah E Starks - University of Iowa, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa Research Park, 103 IREH, Iowa City, IA 52242-5000, USAFred Gerr - University of Iowa, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa Research Park, 103 IREH, Iowa City, IA 52242-5000, USAFreya Kamel - Epidemiology Branch, NIEHS, NIH, DHHS, MD A3-05, PO Box 12233, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USACharles F Lynch - University of Iowa, Department of Epidemiology, C21-L GH, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USAMichael P Jones - University of Iowa, Department of Biostatistics, C22-J, GH, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USAMichael C Alavanja - NCI, NIH, Department of Health and Human Services, Executive Plaza South, Room 8000, Rockville, MD 20852, USADale P Sandler - Epidemiology Branch, NIEHS, NIH, DHHS, MD A3-05, PO Box 12233, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USAJane A Hoppin - Epidemiology Branch, NIEHS, NIH, DHHS, MD A3-05, PO Box 12233, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Neurotoxicology and teratology, Vol.34(1), pp.168-176
- Publisher
- Elsevier Inc
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.ntt.2011.08.014
- PMID
- 21907279
- ISSN
- 0892-0362
- eISSN
- 1872-9738
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 01/2012
- Academic Unit
- Statistics and Actuarial Science; Occupational and Environmental Health; Epidemiology; Biostatistics; Public Policy Center (Archive)
- Record Identifier
- 9983985929102771
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