Organophosphate-based pesticides and bladder cancer

Many adverse physical effects have been reported after organophosphate-based pesticide exposure. Given the current trends of meagre attention to low-level chemical exposure, this investigation evaluated four methods and undertook a pilot study of safe-handling practices among a group of workers with occupational exposure to organophosphate-based pesticides in the Riverina area, Australia. Blood samples were studied from ten farmers before and after occupational exposure to the pesticides and from five unexposed controls; 67 questionnaires on safe-handling practices were evaluated. The cholinesterase test was insensitive to the exposure (P=0.815). A significant increase in Howell jolly bodies within red blood cells was observed (p=0.001). Chromosome breakage (fragile site) studies on routine blood cultures and aphidicolin-induced blood cultures revealed that following organophosphate exposure the total number of gaps and breaks on human chromosomes was significantly increased (p=0.004 and p=0.0006 respectively). Howell jolly body and chromosome breakage analysis are sensitive indicators of cell nuclear damage resulting from low-level occupational exposure to organophosphates, leading to bladder cancer. The enumeration of Howell Jolly bodies has emerged as a potential screening test. No farmer abided by recommended safety procedures. Safe handling practices may need to be reevaluated in order to increase compliance. (author abstract)