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Probabilistic assessment of chlorpyrifos exposure to rice farmers in Viet Nam

Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology volume 22, pages 417–423 (2012)Cite this article

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Abstract

Chlorpyrifos is the most common organophosphate compound registered for agricultural use in Vietnam. The aim of this study was to evaluate chlorpyrifos exposure to rice farmers in Vietnam, using a probabilistic approach. Urine samples on a 24-h basis were collected from farmers before and post application of pesticide. Samples were analysed for 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCP), the major urinary metabolite of chlorpyrifos, using an enzymatic pre-treatment for extraction and HPLC-MS/MS. Absorbed daily doses (ADD) of chlorpyrifos for farmers were subsequently estimated from the urinary TCP levels. The baseline and post-application exposure levels were evaluated at the 5th, 50th, and 95th percentile representing low, medium and high-exposure groups in the population. Regression analysis was applied to examine the association between exposure level and factors. The baseline exposure level, which ranged from 0.03 to 1.98 μg/kg/day was below the chronic guidelines recommended by international and national bodies. However, the post-application exposure level, which ranged from 0.35 to 94 μg/kg/day exceeded most of the acute guidelines at the 95th percentile level. Multivariate analysis provided strong evidence for a relationship between post-application exposure level and amount of chlorpyrifos used, as well as body coverage of personal protective equipment.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Australian Endeavour Post Graduate Award; Griffith School of Environment; and in-kind contribution of Emeritus Professor Des Connell for financial support to the study, and authors are highly appreciate to colleagues at Administration of Preventive Medicine, Vietnam Ministry of Health; Thai Binh Preventive Medicine Centre; Kien Xuong District Medical Centre; Vu Le Commune Health Clinic; and Thai Binh Medical University for valuable support and assistance in the sampling program.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Environment and Population Health, Griffith School of Environment, Griffith University, 170 Kessel Road, Nathan, QLD, Australia

    Dung Tri Phung, Greg Miller & Cordia Chu

  2. Griffith School of Environment, Griffith University, 170 Kessel Road, Nathan, QLD, Australia

    Des Connell

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  1. Dung Tri Phung
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Correspondence to Dung Tri Phung.

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Phung, D., Connell, D., Miller, G. et al. Probabilistic assessment of chlorpyrifos exposure to rice farmers in Viet Nam. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 22, 417–423 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/jes.2012.32

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