What is the test for exposure to parathion?

What is the test for exposure to parathion?

• A. Blood test for cholinesterase activity in red cells
• B. Urine for hippuric acid
• C. Serum acetylcholinesterase
• D. Breath acetone

Answer: (A)

Parathion is an organophosphate that inhibits cholinesterase enzymes in the body. The most informative test for exposure is a blood test measuring cholinesterase activity in red blood cells, because red cell acetylcholinesterase activity mirrors the inhibition happening in the nervous system and provides a reliable indicator of exposure and effect over time. Urine hippuric acid is a marker used for certain solvent exposures like toluene, not organophosphates. Serum (pseudo)cholinesterase can be affected by parathion but is more variable and less consistently reflective of neural cholinesterase inhibition. Breath acetone is unrelated to parathion exposure.

Parathion is an organophosphate that inhibits cholinesterase enzymes in the body. The most informative test for exposure is a blood test measuring cholinesterase activity in red blood cells, because red cell acetylcholinesterase activity mirrors the inhibition happening in the nervous system and provides a reliable indicator of exposure and effect over time.

Urine hippuric acid is a marker used for certain solvent exposures like toluene, not organophosphates. Serum (pseudo)cholinesterase can be affected by parathion but is more variable and less consistently reflective of neural cholinesterase inhibition. Breath acetone is unrelated to parathion exposure.