Introduction:

Cholinesterases are enzymes responsible for hydrolyzing acetylcholine in acetic acid and choline, which ends nerve transmission along the synapse of neuromuscular junctions. Measurement of serum cholinesterase activity acts as an indicator of the effect caused by prolonged exposure to organophosphates and carbamates

Objective:

To determine serum cholinesterase levels and factors related to exposure to organophosphates in farmers from the county of Páramo Lagunas in San Pablo de Borbur, Boyacá, Colombia.

Methodology:

Prospective, cross-sectional study, with a sample of 57 agricultural workers, a survey of sociodemographic data and labor factors was applied to each individual and a venous blood sample was taken in an 8-12 hour fasting, Serum cholinesterase concentrations were determined (Biosystems® Butyrylthiocholine Cholinesterase kit), by means of the Biosystems® A-15 automated clinical chemistry kit.

Results:

The age range of the participants was between 22 and 64 years old, 72% of the individuals belonged to the male sex. 3.5% (2 male individuals) presented values lower than the biological reference interval (BRI); 88% of the people affirmed to carry out tasks with pesticides and 54% of them affirmed not to use personal protective equipment (PPE) when working with these substances.

Conclusions:

The lack of schooling was evidenced in most of the farmers, as well as the absence of technical support to this area, which induces these farmers to carry out agricultural processes such as pesticide application, without adequate knowledge and without the proper use of PPE.