Evaluating Pesticide Exposure in Moroccan Workers Using Biological Monitoring: LC-MS/MS and GC-MS analysis - 27/11/25

Abstract |
The goal of the current study is to evaluate pesticide exposure among Moroccan workers. This is the first study carried out in the Rabat-Sale-Kenitra (RSK) region (Northwest of Morocco). This investigation used a personal survey and toxicological analysis using blood and urine samples. All the analysis are explored at the toxicology and pharmacology laboratory of the Poison Control and Pharmacovigilance Center of Morocco (CAPM). This is a descriptive study, conducted over 4 months (October 2019 – January 2020) among 54 workers. The personal survey collected data related to epidemiologic characteristics, exposure information, and the use of protection and prevention tools. All the workers undergo these analysis for the first time. Blood and urine samples were taken 20 hours after the last exposure to pesticides. We used « ChE check mobile » for the determination of plasma (BChE) and erythrocyte (AChE) acetylcholinesterase activity. A urine screening by liquid-liquid extraction was realized by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The spectral library includes 300 pesticides molecules and 5000 molecules for LC-MS/MS and for GC-MS respectively. The average age of workers was 45 ± 8 years. All the participants were male except one female, and the body mass index was 25.36 ± 3.87 kg/m². Among the 54 participants, 54% were smokers and 37% showed mucosal irritations. The studied molecules belong to pyrethroids and organophosphates classes (Deltamethrin, Bifenthrin, Permethrin, Cypermethrin, Tetramethrin, Es-biothrin and Temephos). The period of exposure was from 1 to 36 years with an average of 25 hours per week. Sixty-one percent of workers confirmed that they use gloves, masks, and gowns at work. No acute poisoning was recorded during the period of exposure. The measured values of AChE and BChE were normal, with an average of 44.36 U / gHb and 3151.8 U / l, respectively. The search for pesticides in participants’ urine was negative. These results may be related to the toxicokinetics of the different targeted compounds. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a specific method that targets the metabolites of the various pesticides used in Morocco.
Il testo completo di questo articolo è disponibile in PDF.Keywords : LC-MS/MS, GC-MS, cholinesterase activity, pesticides, exposure
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