Occupational Evaluation of Federal Highway Police Officers Exposed to Cholinesterase Inhibiting Insecticides

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of occupational exposure of federal highway police (PRF) officers to cholinesterase-inhibiting insecticides.

Methods: We evaluate erythrocyte and plasma cholinesterase activity, pulse rate, systolic and diastolic pressure, and clinical evaluation through the Mini-Mental State Examination and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , Fifth Edition .

Results: All PRF officers evaluated were male, between 22 and 49 years of age. Pulse rate of the subjects were statistically superior in the post-exposure moment when compared with pre-exposure moment. Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase was significant in the post-exposure moment when compared with pre-exposure moment.

Conclusions: The results of the present work show that there are significant biochemical changes, which can be the beginning of serious deleterious effects to the health of PRF officers.