Effect of pesticide exposure on liver function tests and serum cholinesterase levels among floriculture industry workers in Bahirdar, Ethiopia: a comparative cross-sectional study.
Gietie HM, Dedefo G, Alem M, Wolde G, Aliye M, Disani A, Habtu W, Ashebir G, Minlarg E, Bitew T, Edao A, Wolde M.
Pesticide Exposure
Every bouquet of roses or cut flowers sold at a market represents workers who mixed, sprayed, and handled the pesticides that keep those blooms perfect — and this study shows those chemicals are quietly damaging their livers.
Researchers compared blood test results from flower farm workers and their neighbors in Ethiopia. The farm workers had higher levels of substances that signal liver stress, and lower levels of proteins the liver normally makes, suggesting their livers were being harmed by pesticide exposure. Workers who had been on the job the longest showed the worst results, meaning the damage builds up over time.
Key Findings
Floriculture workers had liver enzyme levels (ALT and AST) roughly 20–37% higher than community controls, indicating liver stress from pesticide exposure.
A key nerve-function enzyme (butyrylcholinesterase) was about 24% lower in workers (5,105 vs. 6,699 U/L), reflecting inhibition commonly caused by organophosphate and carbamate pesticides.
Workers with more than 10 years of exposure showed the most severe liver abnormalities, suggesting cumulative harm that worsens the longer someone works with pesticides.
chevron_right Technical Summary
Flower farm workers in Ethiopia who regularly apply pesticides showed measurable liver damage and reduced levels of a key enzyme compared to people in the same region who weren't exposed. The effects were worst in workers with more than 10 years on the job.
Abstract Preview
Workers in the floriculture industry are exposed to various classes of pesticides through skin contact, inhalation, and ingestion. Although many pesticides are known to exert hepatotoxic effects an...
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