Estimation of cumulative exposure to organophosphate sheep dips in a study of chronic neurological health effects among United Kingdom sheep dippers

OBJECTIVES To derive a method for retrospectively estimating cumulative exposure to organophosphate (OP) pesticides among a cross section of United Kingdom sheep dippers, as part of a wider epidemiological study of neurological abnormality within this group of workers.

METHODS A hygiene study of dipping sessions at 20 farms using diazinon based dips was carried out by two experienced occupational hygienists. Observations on the exposure of people to concentrate and dilute dip were recorded throughout each dipping session, together with the other relevant factors including the use and condition of protective clothing. Concentrations of urinary metabolites of diazinon were used to measure actual exposure to OPs. To estimate exposure in the subsequent epidemiological study, an occupational exposure history questionnaire was developed using results from the hygiene study and an empirical exposure model.

RESULTS In the hygiene study, increased urinary metabolites were associated with the handling of concentrate dip and exposure to dilute dip wash through splashing. Very few dippers wore the recommended protective clothing. The handling of concentrate dip was the principal source of exposure to OPs. Dipping task was used as a surrogate for splashing of dilute dip in retrospective exposure estimation. In the epidemiological study, cumulative exposure to OP sheep dips was highly correlated with the total number of dipping days, but not with age.

CONCLUSIONS Sheep dip concentrate is the most important source of OP exposure among sheep dippers and estimates of exposure to OPs during routine dipping should take due account of exposure to concentrate dip as well as to the dilute dip wash. The observed use of recommended protective clothing by most subjects was insufficient to allow a proper empirical assessment of its effectiveness