Neurophysiological Effects Of Chronic Pesticide Exposure In Agricultural Workers

Pesticides spraying are a global public health problem that accounts for as many worldwide every year. This cross-sectional study was planned to compare nerve conduction study in pesticides sprayer and environmentally exposed population. This study conducted in the Department of Physiology at Maharaja Agrasen Medical College, Agroha, to compare motor nerve conduction parameters between two groups: 200 pesticide sprayers (Group I) and 200 environmentally exposed individuals (Group II), aged 20–60 years. Group I included individuals with over five years of direct pesticide handling, while Group II had indirect environmental exposure. After Institutional Ethics Committee approval and informed consent, bilateral tibial and peroneal nerve conduction studies were performed using a standard protocol with the Natus EMG/NCV system. Results showed significantly reduced amplitudes and conduction velocities in Group I across several parameters, especially in the peroneal nerve. No significant differences were observed in distal latencies of tibial nerves and left peroneal nerve. The findings indicate peripheral nerve dysfunction in pesticide sprayers, reinforcing evidence of chronic low-dose pesticides neurotoxicity.