Residual Dialkyl Phosphate Metabolite Concentrations of Organophosphate Pesticides Among Indian Farmworkers: Implication of Exposure and Hazard Assessment.

Objective: Biomonitoring of urinary dialkyl phosphate (DAP) metabolites, a sensitive biomarker to assess pesticides exposure and also to study the impact of the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Methods: A preintervention-postintervention study to biomonitor dimethylphosphate, diethylphosphate, diethylthiophosphate, and diethyl-dithiophosphate using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry among Indian farmworkers (n = 120).

Results: Dimethylphosphate was detected in all samples at a mean concentration of 74.91 μg · L -1 (17.616 μg · g -1 creatinine), whereas diethylthiophosphate and diethyl-dithiophosphate were detected in 88% and 82% of samples, respectively, among farmworkers who adopted unsafe pesticide-handling practices. Intervention studies showed a significant reduction in the urinary DAP metabolites detected among the farmworkers using PPE provided to them ( P < 0.01).

Conclusions: Study confirms the exposure to pesticides among farmworkers and highlights the importance of the use of PPE to minimize exposure.