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Cholinesterase Testing and Screening

Cholinesterase Testing and Screening. What is Cholinesterase?. An enzyme produced by the body Essential to the Central Nervous System (CNS) Lack of Cholinesterase can cause CNS confusion. Headaches Dizziness Nausea Abdominal pain Anxiety Constricted pupils. Muscle twitch or weakness

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Cholinesterase Testing and Screening

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  1. Cholinesterase Testing and Screening

  2. What is Cholinesterase? • An enzyme produced by the body • Essential to the Central Nervous System (CNS) • Lack of Cholinesterase can cause CNS confusion

  3. Headaches Dizziness Nausea Abdominal pain Anxiety Constricted pupils Muscle twitch or weakness Shortness of breath Diarrhea Convulsions Coma Symptoms of decreased cholinesterase

  4. How are farmers affected? • Certain pesticides contain cholinesterase inhibitors • Inhibitors cause breakdown of insect CNS • Causes insects to die • Farmers often work with these pesticides

  5. Which pesticides contain cholinesterase inhibitors? • Organophosphate pesticides • Carbamate pesticides

  6. Who should have cholinesterase levels monitored? • People applying pesticides • People who mix and/or load chemicals • Harvest/pickers • Commercial applicators • Anyone accidentally exposed

  7. Testing and Surveillance

  8. Toxicity • Amount of exposure needed to cause harm • Levels are predetermined • Risk of pesticide use and symptoms vary • Frequency of exposure • Concentration of the pesticide • Toxicity can be cumulative

  9. Baseline Testing • Determines the normal level of cholinesterase in the body • “Normal” varies from person to person • Determined with a blood draw • Done prior to exposure

  10. Why have a baseline? Allows physicians to compare data • If symptoms present • Establishes an exposure level for later in the season • Helps determine management practices

  11. Decrease in baseline levels • 20% decrease indicates a farmer should reexamine management practices • Clothes • Respirator

  12. 50% decrease is when symptoms present • Discontinue exposure • Symptoms are reversible when • Exposure is stopped • Cholinesterase levels are back to baseline

  13. 90% decrease in baseline level is considered severe poisoning and can be lethal!

  14. Factors that may produce a low baseline • Genetic Trait • Liver disease • Certain medications

  15. Preventive measures • Become familiar with pesticides used • Save labels! • Wear appropriate equipment

  16. Clothing should provide an effective barrier to pesticide sprays and dusts! • Respirators should be chemical specific

  17. Hand protection • Use unlined rubber or plastic gloves • Never wear leather! • Not too tight • Not too big • Wear on the outside of the sleeve • Wash gloves after use • Dispose of old gloves

  18. Foot protection • Wear Neoprene or nitrile boots • Do not wear leather • Wear pant legs outside of boots

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