First Year Results for Cholinesterase Testing in Washington
One in five Washington state farmworkers retested for exposure to certain pesticides last year were cited as showing a significant drop in levels of an enzyme needed for nerve activity.
However, administrators and other stakeholders of the program to monitor workers’ cholinesterase levels are having trouble agreeing what conclusions can be reached after just one year of the monitoring program.The story notes that participating employers failed to meet a requirement for submitting the number of hours that certain employees had been handling the pesticides. It's also unclear how many employers failed to participate in the monitoring program when required. Michael Woods, program manager for the state Department of Labor and Industries, was cited as telling the House Commerce and Labor Committee that ultimately, there's simply not enough data, adding, "The small numbers do discourage firm conclusions. The numbers simply aren't there."
The report comes as the state is about to lower the threshold at which point farmworkers must be tested. The current rule, which took effect last February, requires employers to provide blood tests for workers who handle cholinesterase-inhibiting pesticides for 50 hours within a 30-day period.
Beginning next month, that threshold drops to 30 hours. (Tri-City Herald, 1/14/05).
