Abstract

CONTRIBUTION TO THE EVALUATION OF THE EXPOSURE OF MARKET GARDENERS IN ABIDJAN DISTRICT AND AGRICULTURAL WORKERS IN AN AGRO-INDUSTRIAL OIL PALM COMPANY TO FOUR ORGANOPHOSPHATE PESTICIDES

*ANGBO Épouse YAPO Kousso Marie Angeline, GONO Kpan Nestor; SAGOU Dominique, CISSE-CAMARA Massara

ABSTRACT

The study of the exposure to 4 organophosphorus pesticides (dimethoate, chlorpyrifos, chlorpyrifos methyl, triazophos) on 30 workers including 15 in an oil palm factory and 15 in market gardening in the district of Abidjan, revealed the presence of three residues (dimethoate, chlorpyrifos methyl, triazophos). In fact, among those hired from the factory, the 3 pesticides were found; chlorpyrifos methyl (80%) and triazophos (66.66%) were the most common pesticides found in workers hired by the factory, while market gardeners were dimethoate. The highest rates were observed among factory workers. The correlation between the level of pesticides and the age on the one hand and the professional seniority on the other hand revealed that only the triazophos is positively correlated with the age and the professional seniority and those in the hired ones. In addition, significant inhibition of cholinesterase activity was observed. This inhibition was greater than 30% in factory workers and less than 30% in market gardeners. This significant inhibition could be attributed to the presence of the three pesticides (dimethoate, Chlorpyrifos Methyl, Triazophos).

Keywords: Organophosphates, intoxication, biomarker, cholinesterase activity, Côte d’Ivoire.