Organophosphates industrial exposure

Organophosphate Ester Hydraulic Fluids. Organophosphate ester hydraulic fluids are used in applications that require a degree of fire resistance such as in aircraft. EPA (1992b) has noted that aircraft mechanics may have dermal exposures of 1,300-3,900 mg/day and that 2,200 aircraft workers are routinely exposed to tributyl phosphate, while another 43,000 mechanics may be exposed at various times. Estimates of worker exposure in other industries were not found in the available literature. General population and military personnel exposure to organophosphate ester hydraulic fluids is likely to be much lower than exposure to mineral oil hydraulic fluids because these fluids have more specialized uses. 

Mandel JS, Berlinger NT, KayN. 1989. Organophosphate exposure inhibits Non-Specific esterase staining in human blood monocytes. Amer J Industrial Med 15 207-212. 

A biological problem of concern to industrial and environmental toxicologists is the question of chronic toxicity as a consequence of continual exposure to low concentrations of organophosphates (B16, V3, V4). If it is necessary to compare exposed and nonexposed populations in order to assess relative organophosphate uptake, the determination of population averages of cholinesterase activities appears to be all that is needed. 

Changes were noted in the electroencephalograms (EEGs) of 50 industrial and agricultural workers within 72 hours of accidental exposure to insecticides (both organophosphate and chlorinated hydrocarbons, on separate occasions), although the relationship to work history blood cholinesterase and exposure type, duration, and severity were not mentioned.59... 

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