Journal of Environmental Biology

Effect of pesticide residues on health and blood parameters of farm

workers from rural Gadap, Karachi, Pakistan

 

M. Ahmed Azmi*, S.N.H. Naqvi, Kehkashan Akhtar, Moinuddin, Shahida Parveen, Rehana Parveen and M. Aslam

Department of Physiology, Baqai Medical University, 51-Deh Tor, Gadap Road, Near Toll Plaza,

Super Highway,? P.O. Box No. 2407, Karachi - 74600, Pakistan

(Received: October 10, 2007; Revised received: April 06, 2008; Re-revised received: June 05, 2008; Accepted: July 10, 2008)

 

Abstract: The samples were collected from 83 persons on 1 day (reading-I), 7 days (reading-II) and 30 days (reading-III) engaged in pesticide spraying in fourteen different fruit and vegetable farm stations located in the orchards of Gadap (rural area), Karachi-Pakistan. In the present study, 26 workers out of 83 who were exposed to different pesticides (i.e., cypermethrin, deltamethrin, polytrin-C, diazninon, monocrotophos, DDT and DDE) were compared with 25 healthy control persons. Different blood parameters were determined in comparison to control subjects. The results indicate some alterations in blood indices in all the pesticide exposed persons, and only two persons from two different stations were affected severely and therefore their Hb, MCV, MCHC, TLC, monocyte and neutrophil counts increased significantly. High lymphocyte count was noted in almost all the exposed persons. Platelets count was also found high in few persons but Hb, MCV, MCH, TLC, RBC and neutrophil counts significantly decreased in such persons. Exposure of multiple pesticides for prolong period has also affected the health of exposed persons and produced dermatological, hepatic, nephritic, respiratory and other clinical disorders reflecting the toxic effects of pesticides. Our findings indicate that indiscriminate use of pesticides in farming environments must be regularly assessed and farm workers must be trained for safe use of pesticides.

Key words: Pesticides, Residues, Blood parameters, Health

 

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