Health effects associated with sulfuryl fluoride and methyl bromide exposure among structural fumigation workers.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the health effects associated with occupational exposure to methyl bromide and sulfuryl fluoride among structural fumigation workers. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 123 structural fumigation workers and 120 referents in south Florida was conducted. Nerve conduction, vibration, neurobehavioral, visual, olfactory, and renal function testing was included. RESULTS: The median lifetime duration of methyl bromide and sulfuryl fluoride exposure among workers was 1.20 years and 2.85 years, respectively. Sulfuryl fluoride exposure over the year preceding examination was associated with significantly reduced performance on the Pattern Memory Test and on olfactory testing. In addition, fumigation workers had significantly reduced performance on the Santa Ana Dexterity Test of the dominant hand and a nonsignificantly higher prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome than did the referents. CONCLUSIONS: Occupational sulfuryl fluoride exposures may be associated with subclinical effects on the central nervous system, including effects on olfactory and some cognitive functions. However, no widespread pattern of cognitive deficits was observed. The peripheral nerve effects were likely caused by ergonomic stresses experienced by the fumigation workers.

Nerve conduction studies in sprayers occupationally exposed to mixture of pesticides in a mango plantation at Lucknow, North India

“…The nerve conduction slowing of MNCV and SNCV (median nerve) may be due to the workplace ergonomic factors such as repetitive, forceful squeezing of tubes, and other repetitive tasks involved in raising and dismantling tarps. The role of ergonomic factors in nerve conduction slowing was also reported in fumigation workers (Calvert et al 1998).…”

“…Longer duration of exposure to mixed pesticides also affects dysfunction of nerve conduction. There are reports which suggest that duration of exposure to pesticides exerts no role in neurodiagnostic tests including nerve conduction studies (Steenland et al 1994;Calvert et al 1998;Sanborn et al 2002). Better farming practices including use of personal protective equipments and low exposure of pesticides reduce the health risk among sprayers (Steenland et al 1994;Calvert et al 1998;Sanborn et al 2002).…”

“…There are reports which suggest that duration of exposure to pesticides exerts no role in neurodiagnostic tests including nerve conduction studies (Steenland et al 1994;Calvert et al 1998;Sanborn et al 2002). Better farming practices including use of personal protective equipments and low exposure of pesticides reduce the health risk among sprayers (Steenland et al 1994;Calvert et al 1998;Sanborn et al 2002). The nerve conduction slowing of MNCV and SNCV (median nerve) may be due to the workplace ergonomic factors such as repetitive, forceful squeezing of tubes, and other repetitive tasks involved in raising and dismantling tarps.…”

A Cluster of Neurological Signs and Symptoms in Soil Fumigators

“…After evaluating prospectively 15 male middle-aged workers before and after a fumigation period with methyl bromide, Acuna et al 29) confirmed higher frequencies of insomnia, headache, paresthesiae, mood changes, loss of memory and concentration, increased vibratory threshold, and strength reduction in these workers compared with controls. On the other hand, peripheral nerve effects observed in fumigation workers in south Florida were attributed to occupational ergonomic stress 30) . In evaluating the association between occupational exposure to methyl bromide and clinical condition, we considered some key points, i.e.…”

X-ray fluorescence analysis of Mexican varieties of dried chili peppers II: Commercial and home-grown specimens

“…However, this substance is still used to preserve dried chili peppers during storage in limited amounts. Some investigations suggested that chronic exposure to methyl bromide at low concentrations affects the nervous system [13]. The presence of Cl may also be associated to contamination during the same processes.…”