Pesticide toxicity assessment and geographic information system (GIS) application in small-scale rice farming operations, Thailand

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Ekarat Sombatsawat, Chulalongkorn University; Dana Barr, Emory University; Parinya Panuwet, Emory University; Mark Gregory Robson, Rutgers University; Wattasit Siriwong, Chulalongkorn University
• Language: English
• Date: 2022-01-11
• Publisher: NATURE PORTFOLIO
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © The Author(s) 2022
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-04523-x
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
• Volume: 12
• Issue: 1
• Start Page: 499
• End Page: 499
• Keywords: CHOLINESTERASE ACTIVITY; PROVINCE; FARMERS; Science & Technology; ORGANOPHOSPHATE PESTICIDES; Science & Technology - Other Topics; BIOMARKERS; BLOOD; ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE; Multidisciplinary Sciences
• Research Categories: Environmental Sciences; Health Sciences, Public Health

Abstract

The objectives of the study were to evaluate the impact of pesticide exposure on farmer health during non-active rice farming and active rice farming periods and present the change in the individual cholinesterase activities (%reduction) on the geographic information system (GIS) mapping in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand. Acetyl- and butyryl-cholinesterase (AChE and BuChE) activities were monitored during both study periods using Test-mate ChE (Model 400). The location of paddy fields was specified using Garmin geographic positioning system MAP 62s. Fifty-eight farmers who participated in this study had an average age of 49.2 ± 6.9 years. Higher prevalence of all health symptoms was observed among farmer participants during the active rice farming period comparing to the non-active rice farming period (p < 0.01). Furthermore, farmers had significantly lower activities of AChE and BuChE during the active rice farming period comparing to the non-active rice farming period (p < 0.01). Our findings indicate that the GIS mapping indicate that the cases with a significant enzyme inhibition have dispersed across the agricultural and the nearby residential areas. This, investigation can be used to promote safer use of pesticides among farmers and mitigate pesticide exposure among residents living in close proximity to a rice field.