Exposure of field workers to organophosphorus insecticides: sweet corn and peaches

Plasma and red blood cell cholinesterase levels of professional agricultural workers engaged in packing sweet corn and thinning peaches were monitored. Workers with extensive contact with mechanically harvested sweet corn (the corn had been treated one or two days before harvest with a combination of ethyl and methyl parathion) exhibited significant depression of cholinesterase. Gloves, worn by 40% of the workers, provided some protection from absorption of pesticide residues. No significant cholinesterase depression was found in workers thinning peaches which had been previously treated with parathion.