Cholinesterase monitoring is intended to identify exposure to which pesticide classes?

• A. Organophosphates and Carbamates
• B. Organophosphates
• C. Carbamates
• D. Pyrethroids

Answer: (A)

Cholinesterase monitoring is used to detect exposure to pesticides that inhibit acetylcholinesterase. The two main classes that do this are organophosphates and carbamates. When these pesticides enter the body, they reduce cholinesterase activity, leading to an accumulation of acetylcholine and overstimulation of nerves. Organophosphates typically cause more prolonged inhibition, while carbamates cause reversible inhibition, but both can be identified by a drop in cholinesterase activity. Pyrethroids affect sodium channels rather than cholinesterase, so monitoring for cholinesterase inhibition wouldn’t detect exposure to them.