Effects of Occupational Exposure to Organophosphates on Thyroid Profile among the Farmers in Nellikuppam Region of Tamil Nadu, India

Background: India is primarily an agricultural country, with around 60-70% of its population dwelling on agriculture.The organophosphate (OP) class of pesticides is widely used throughout the world.However, they contain certain endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that may lead to an increase in cancers and abnormalities in reproductive structure and function.The endocrine disruption by OPs has also been reported in the disruption of thyroid homeostasis.Materials and methods: It is a cross-sectional study conducted among farmers and agricultural laborers who have been using OP-containing pesticides for >6 months.Fasting blood (serum) samples were collected from the participants.The measurement of serum levels of thyroid hormones, which include free T3 (triiodothyronine), free T4 (thyroxine), and TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone), and statistical analysis were carried out.Results: A total of 66 participants aged between 23 and 75 years were included and among them, 38 were female (57.6%).26 participants have 10-20 years of exposure to OP compounds.The serum values of T3, T4, and TSH are within normal limits and no statistical significance was observed between the groups. Conclusion:The study concludes that indirect occupational exposure does not stimulate an effect strong enough to cause a drastic change and has a minimal effect on thyroid levels when measured in the nonsowing season.Further studies involving age and gender-matched controls with geographical concern are essential to investigate the change in thyroid levels with respect to the control samples.