Blood Cholinesterase monitoring in spraymen involved in malathion spraying--a health protection measure.

The blood Cholinesterase (ChE) level of malathion in spraymen is continuously monitored through a "built-in warning system" existing under NMEP since the introduction of malathion spraying. The data available from the States of Maharashtra, Punjab and Gujarat revealed that, in spraymen of Punjab, the ChE level in 1988 and 1989 remained normal in about 99.8 per cent spray personnel, and in 1 out of 381 workers, the ChE level fell to 62.5 per cent during 1989. In Gujarat and Maharashtra, the normal level of ChE was maintained in nearly 88 and 98.4 per cent of spray personnel respectively during the spraying period. The ChE level fell to 62.5 per cent in 11.9 per cent of spray staff in Gujarat during 1987 and in 1.5 and 1.6 per cent persons during 1988 and 1989 respectively in Maharashtra. Only in three cases (0.07 per cent) out of 4,100 in Maharashtra showed depression in ChE to 50 per cent in 1988. In none of the above mentioned cases, there was any parasympathetic overstimulation or uneasiness, etc, even then they were withdrawn from spray and were given rest and where needed medical care.