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Abstract
Male children currently applying pesticides between the ages of 9 and 18 years (n = 50) were chosen to study health hazards of pesticides as a result of exposure to pesticide during its application. 50 children not working in agriculture, matched for age and education, and socioeconomic level served as controls. Exposed and control children completed a neurobehavioral test battery; personality inventory; work health, and exposure questionnaires; and medical and neurological screening exams along with specific neurological tests for sensory and motor functions including; cranial nerves, sensory and motor system, and reflexes. Blood samples were collected to do laboratory investigations Study results showed that children and adolescents who apply pesticides in the cotton fields have significantly lower neurobehavioral performance, report more prevalence of neurological symptoms and signs and have lower levels of serum AChE compared to a control group exposed group had significantly abnormal blood, liver, and kidney functions. The neurobehavioral deficits demonstrated a dose response relationship with days and years of exposure, a dose-effect relationship. The same was the case with neurological symptom neuromuscular signs, and blood, liver, and kidney functions On conclusion: Inspite of short time exposure of children working in applying pesticides (mean of 20 days and 5 years) in comparison to research studied health effects of pesticides on adults working in its application, these children were in high risk of developing health hazards as evidenced by: The exposed group had significantly lower neurobehavioral performance The exposed group reported significantly more personality problems The exposed group had significantly lower level of S. cholinesterase. The exposed group had significantly more neurological symptoms and signs The exposed group had significantly more changes in the blood indices and liver and kidney functions The longer the participants applied pesticides the worse their performance on the neurobehavioral tests and the more symptoms they reported.