Urinary concentrations of metabolites of pyrethroid insecticides in textile workers, Eastern China

Pyrethroid insecticides have been applied in the production of cotton, wool and textile. In order to examine whether textile workers are exposed to pyrethroid insecticides, we recruited 50 textile workers in two textile plants in Eastern China. Their urine samples were collected for the measurement of pyrethroid metabolites: cis- and trans-isomers of 2,2-dichlorovinyl-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (cis-Cl(2)CA and trans-Cl(2)CA) and 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA). Our results showed that textile workers were exposed to high levels of pyrethroid insecticides. cis-Cl(2)CA and 3-PBA were dominant metabolites with concentrations of 0.17-261 mu g/L, while concentrations of trans-Cl(2)CA were in the range of 0.26-11 mu g/L. Levels of three metabolites were in a descending order: cis-Cl(2)CA, 3-PBA, and trans-Cl(2)CA. Levels of the metabolites were associated with ages and job responsibilities of textile workers. Sewing workers, cutting workers, machine operators, reorganizers, and older workers were more likely in contact with pyrethroid insecticides in the textile production. trans- to cis-Cl(2)CA ratios might indicate that exposure of textile workers was via dermal absorption and inhalation. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.