THE INFLUENCE OF ORGANOPHOSPHATE PESTICIDES ON WHITE BLOOD CELL TYPES AND C-REACTIVE PROTEIN (CRP) LEVEL OF GREEK FARM WORKERS

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of organophosphates in white blood cell types and CRP of Greek farm workers. Data were collected from 84 farm workers; 42 of them were less than 50 years old and 42 older than 50 years. Furthermore, 28 healthy adults with no exposure to pesticides were used as control; 13 of them were less than 50 years old and 15 older than 50 years, respectively. Two blood samples were collected from each of the above individuals; the first during September (just after organophosphate application), and the second one three months later (during January). The results show that organophosphates affect white blood cell profile. At ages lower than 50 years, CRP levels are affected too.