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.
1
Floriculture workers had liver enzyme levels (ALT and AST) roughly 20–37% higher than community controls, indicating liver stress from pesticide exposure.
2
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.
3
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.
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