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Exposure of consumers and farmers to organophosphate and synthetic pyrethroid insecticides in Northern Thailand

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Abstract

Organophosphate and pyrethroid insecticides are used for controlling residential and agricultural insect pests and disease-carrying vectors in Thailand especially in the northern region. Chiang Rai and Nan Provinces are well known for agricultural production. The aim of the present study was to assess the level of exposure to organophosphate and pyrethroid insecticides in 51 consumers and 49 farmers living in Chiang Rai and Nan Provinces by monitoring the urinary metabolites 6-dialkylphosphates (DAPs) and 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA) as biomarkers of exposure to organophosphates and pyrethroids. The results showed at least one metabolite was present in all subjects indicating that consumers and farmers were exposed to these pesticides. Concentrations of organophosphate and pyrethroid metabolites in consumers and farmers were similar except diethylthiophosphate which was significantly higher in farmers. Diethyldithiophosphate and 3-PBA concentrations were significantly different between the group who had reported using and not using pesticide in their house.

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge Chiang Mai University, UC Davis Superfund Research Program P42 ES04699, and UC Davis Environmental Health Sciences Core Center P30 ES02351 for financial support.

Funding

This study was funded by UC Davis Superfund Research Program P42 ES04699, and UC Davis Environmental Health Sciences Core Center P30 ES02351.

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Correspondence to Tippawan Prapamontol or Bruce D. Hammock.

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Hongsibsong, S., Prapamontol, T., Dong, JX. et al. Exposure of consumers and farmers to organophosphate and synthetic pyrethroid insecticides in Northern Thailand. J Consum Prot Food Saf 14, 17–23 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00003-019-01207-7

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