Association between Organophosphate Pesticide Exposure and Insulin Resistance in Pesticide Sprayers and Nonfarmworkers

• Main Authors: Mathuramat Seesen, Roberto G. Lucchini, Somkiat Siriruttanapruk, Ratana Sapbamrer, Surat Hongsibsong, Susan Woskie, Pornpimol Kongtip
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-11-01
• Series: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Subjects: organophosphate; insulin resistance; dialkyl phosphate; pesticide sprayers; pesticide exposure; insecticides
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/21/8140
• ISSN: 1661-7827; 1660-4601

Insulin resistance is a risk factor for various diseases. Chronic organophosphate exposure has been reported to be a cause of insulin resistance in animal models. This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the association between organophosphate exposure and insulin resistance in pesticide sprayers and nonfarmworkers. Participants aged 40–60 years, consisting of 150 pesticide sprayers and 150 nonfarmworkers, were interviewed and assessed for their homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) level. Organophosphate (OP) exposure was measured in 37 sprayers and 46 nonfarmworkers by first morning urinary dialkyl phosphate (DAP) metabolites. The DAP metabolite levels were not different in either group except for diethylthiophosphate (DETP; <i>p</i> = 0.03), which was higher in sprayers. No significant association was observed between DAP metabolite levels and HOMA-IR. Wearing a mask while handling pesticides was associated with lower dimethyl metabolites (95% CI = −11.10, −0.17). Work practices of reading pesticide labels (95% CI = −81.47, −14.99) and washing hands after mixing pesticide (95% CI = −39.97, −3.35) correlated with lower diethyl alkylphosphate level. Overall, we did not observe any association between OP exposure and insulin resistance in pesticide sprayers and the general population. However, personal protective equipment (PPE) utilization and work practice were associated with OP exposure level in sprayers.