Occupational exposure to DDT among the mosquito-control sprayers in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Four hundred and eighty DDT seasonal spray-men were screened for DDT exposure over the period September to March in 1988, 1989 and 1990. The average age of the spray-men was 29 ± 8,5 (range 19-61 years). Their average weight was 62,8 ± 4,7 kg with a range of 44-129 kg. Ninety per cent of the men were between the age of 21 and 50 years. Up to 49 per cent of the spray-men showed evidence of DDT exposure with DDE plasma levels greater than 1,00 pg per 100 ml and vitamin A levels greater than 0,92 mg per litre. Smoking seems to predispose the workers to toxic exposure with 76 per cent of the smokers showing vitamin A levels above normal compared to 58 per cent non- smokers. Forty-eight percent of the men were on medication during the spraying period, the significance of which was not evaluated in this study. The study indicated an unacceptably high magnitude of toxic exposure to DDT among spray-men.