A Reproductive Epidemiological Study on Pesticide Workers

Besides agricultural workers, men who are employed in the production of pesticides also have occupational exposure to pesticides. However, they are also exposed to several toxic chemicals which are used in the synthesis of pesticides. Studies on health hazards reported decreased plasma and serum cholinesterase activity and alterations in liver function profiles. Cytogenetic studies have reported increased frequency of chromosomal aberrations and SCEs in pesticide workers. However studies on reproductive performance in pesticide workers are meagre, hence we attempted to study the reproductive histories of male workers employed in a organophosphorus pesticide industry.