Topic Center

Cholinesterase Monitoring - Provider Information

Information for medical providers

Attention: Baseline testing for 2010 will begin January 18.

Background and purpose

The Cholinesterase Monitoring rule (Chapter 296-307-148 WAC) requires agricultural employers to provide medical monitoring for workers who handle toxicity Category I or II organophosphate or N-methyl-carbamate cholinesterase-inhibiting pesticides. The rule has been amended to reflect current program requirements, including requiring the employer to obtain a written recommendation from the health care provider for each employee test (incl. baselines) and evaluation and ensuring that the employee receives a copy. The updated rule becomes effective February 1, 2006

Medical monitoring provides several benefits. It provides the primary benefit of preventing over-exposure to cholinesterase-inhibiting pesticides before illness occurs. In addition, it increases employer and worker awareness of pesticide hazards and reinforces appropriate work practices. If blood testing detects cholinesterase depression, the employer is directed by the medical provider to evaluate the worker's pesticide handling practices. If cholinesterase levels fall below specified removal levels, medical monitoring facilitates case management and the employer is directed by the medical provider to remove the worker from further exposure until cholinesterase levels regenerate and it is safe for the worker to return to working with cholinesterase-inhibiting pesticides.

Medical monitoring

Medical monitoring is a surveillance program that monitors agricultural workers who handle toxicity Category I or II organophosphate or N-methyl carbamate pesticides. It consists of periodic measurements of cholinesterase activity levels in workers that are compared to measurements of exposure-free baseline cholinesterase activity levels. Workers who handle cholinesterase-inhibiting pesticides for 30 or more hours in any consecutive 30 day period are covered by the medical monitoring requirements of the rule.

L&I along with the Department of Health, University of Washington Department of Environmental Health and the Pacific Northwest Agricultural Safety & Health Center (PNASH) has produced a clinical manual entitled: Cholinesterase Testing: Guidelines for Health Care Providers (576 KB PDF / 3 min), which explains and interprets the state program of cholinesterase monitoring.

Laboratory testing

There is significant variation among cholinesterase testing methods and among laboratories using the same testing method, it is misleading to compare test results from one method to another or from one laboratory to another. Because of this a laboratory approved by L&I must be used for all cholinesterase tests. The only laboratory approved by L&I to provide cholinesterase testing under WAC 296-307-148 is Pathology Associates Medical Laboratories ( http://www.paml.com/).

Resources

Training

Referal list

As a service to medical providers and employers, L&I is publishing a list of medical providers (137 KB PDF) that are offering cholinesterase monitoring services. Please contact John Furman, PhD (360-902-5666 or furk235@lni.wa.gov) to be included in this listing.

Contact information

For questions about the cholinesterase monitoring rule and other program issues contact John Furman, PhD, at 360-902-5666 or furk235@lni.wa.gov.

To contact the Public Health Laboratory please call Harold Ruark (206-361-2898) or Marina Silverstone (206-361-2894).

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