Urinary Dialkylphosphate Metabolites Concentrations Of Organophosphorous Pesticides Among Occupationally Exposed Workers And General Population In Shanghai Of China

The determination of organophosphorus (OP) pesticide metabolites in human biological fluids represents an important biomarker of exposure in the general population and exposed workers. We measured the urinary excretion of organophosphorus pesticide metabolites to evaluate occupational and non-occupational exposure to pesticides in Shanghai (Eastern China) area. The urine samples were collected from 30 exposed packing workers(20 males, 10 females, mean age 40 years) in dimethoate workshop and 60 healthy adults (37 males, 23 females, mean age 23 years) without any report of occupational exposure. Six alkylphosphates, specific metabolites of organophosphorus pesticides, dimethylphosphate (DMP), dimethylthiophosphate (DMTP), dimethyldithiophosphate (DMDTP), diethylphosphate (DEP), diethylthiophosphate (DEDP) and diethyldithiophosphate (DEDTP) were measured. Dimethylphosphates were found in detectable concentrations in the majority of samples (100.0%, 100.0% and above 90.0% for DMP, DMTP and DMDTP among exposed group, 85.0%, 48.0% and 52.0% for DMP, DMTP and DMDTP among control group, respectively). Urinary diethylphosphates (DEP, DETP) concentrations were above the detection limit in 40.0%, 20.0% of samples for exposed group and 30.0%, 18.0% of samples for control group, respectively. DEDTP was detected below the limit of detection except post-shift exposed worker with the detection frequency of 6.7%. Excretion levels were the highest for DMTP in all subjects. In a word, a very high percentage of urine samples positive for several pesticide metabolites emerged, with higher levels of urinary excretion in general population and exposed workers in Chinese subjects.