Comparing Longitudinal Measures of Cholinesterase as Biomarkers for Insecticide Exposure Among Latinx Children in Rural Farmworker and Urban Nonfarmworker Communities in North Carolina.

Rural children in agricultural communities are thought to more likely be exposed to cholinesterase-inhibiting insecticides that may have enduring health effects than are urban children. This article shows that blood cholinesterase measures reflect these rural-urban differences that likely follow insecticide exposures. Regulations to protect rural residents from environmental insecticide exposures should be strengthened. Objective: In a 2-group prospective design, this study compared seasonal cholinesterase levels of Latinx children in rural farmworker families and comparable urban children to assess the impact of environmental exposure to cholinesterase-inhibiting insecticides. Methods: Quarterly blood samples and passive dosimeter wristbands were collected over 2 years in 8-year-old children (74 rural, 62 urban). Laboratory analysis assessed total cholinesterase, acetylcholinesterase, and butyrylcholinesterase from blood samples, and insecticides from wristbands. Results: In spring and summer, total cholinesterase and acetylcholinesterase levels were depressed in rural children compared with winter and fall. Butyrylcholinesterase was depressed in rural children in fall compared with spring and summer. Adjustment for insecticide exposure did not affect these associations. Conclusions: Environmental exposures to cholinesterase-inhibiting insecticides have measurable biochemical effects on blood cholinesterases in rural children from farmworker families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]