Biomarkers of exposure to organophosphorous insecticides among farmers' families in rural El Salvador: Factors associated with exposure

Most studies of the health effects of pesticides have concentrated on occup ational exposure. Little is known about community environmental exposure to agricultural pesticides. The purpose of this study was to investigate nono ccupational pesticide exposure among farmers' families in rural El Salvador , a country known for intensive use of extremely toxic compounds. The study population included all residents 8 years and older living in five agricul tural communities in El Salvador. Current exposure to organophosphate insec ticides (OPs) was established through analysis of urine samples for alkyl p hosphate metabolites of OPs. Nearly half of 358 analyzed samples had detect able levels of OP metabolities. Of subjects not performing agricultural fie ldwork, 30% nonetheless excreted detectable levels of metabolities. Similar rates held for children and adults. The best independent predictors for an individual's excretion of OP metabolites were (a) performing fieldwork dur ing the past 2 weeks, (b) the head household farmer's application of OPs du ring the past 2 years, and (c) the household mother reporting use of OPs in the home or yard. The latter factors were significantly associated with me tabolite excretion regardless of whether the individual had done fieldwork. The results of this study support the hypothesis that a large proportion o f rural Salvadorans, including: children, is exposed to pesticides through environmental as well as occupational routes. (C) 1999 Academic Press.