Correlation between Pesticide Exposure and Cholinesterase Level of Sprayer Workers in PT. Langkat Nusantara Kepong

Pesticides are a means to kill plant pests. Its use is according to the rules and in the right way is an absolute thing that must be done given that pesticides are toxic materials that have the potential to have a negative impact on the environment and biodiversity, cause resistance, resurrection, the emergence of new pests, and disruption of human health and other living things, so it must be managed carefully (Ministry of Agriculture RI, 2015).


Britain International of Exact Sciences (BIoEx) Journal
ISSN: 2686-1208, 2686-1216 Vol. 80% of pesticide poisoning is reported to occur in developing countries. In Indonesia, an estimated 300,000 cases of poisoning occur each year, although only a small proportion are fatal (Lesar, 2016).
Based on research conducted by Sularti (2012) in Mojogedang Subdistrict of Karanganyar Regency out of 45 spraying workers, 30 spraying workers experienced poisoning symptoms of 67% in the farmer group. Based on Nganchamung (2017) in Thailand reported as many as 27.8% of farmers experienced symptoms of headaches symptoms, fatigue and blurred vision for 48 hours after using pesticides and 22.2% of farmers experienced more than three symptoms including nausea or vomiting.
Pesticides can enter the body through inhalation. The examination of Cholinesterase levels in the blood of workers is carried out to determine to poison or whether the body has been exposed to pesticides. Blood Cholinesterase activity is the number of active Cholinesterase enzymes in blood plasma and red blood cells that play a role in maintaining the balance of the nervous system. Blood cholinesterase activity is used as an indicator of organophosphate pesticide poisoning (Sartono, 2002).
Annual report data at PT. Langkat Nusantara Kepong is known that in the examination of blood cholinesterase levels, the majority of pesticide spraying workers are poisoned. Based on Anggraini's Research (2015) at PT. Langkat Nusantara Kepong Kebun Tanjung Keliling spraying pesticide workers who have a severe poisoning rate of 75% with symptoms such as nausea, chills, difficulty breathing and increased pulse rate.
Based on the results of an initial survey at PT Langkat Nusantara Kepong Kebun Gohor Lama Langkat Regency pesticide spraying workers spraying at 08.00 am to 13.00 noon. According to Risnawati (2017), the time for workers to do the spraying is 8:00 a.m. to 11:00. The spraying time is a maximum of 3-4 hours. The safe temperature for spraying is 240 C -300 C. Exceeding temperatures will make workers easy to sweat so the pores will open and pesticides will quickly enter through the skin. In the survey it was also seen that the irregular direction of spraying technique, this would facilitate the exposure of pesticides into the body of workers due to direct contact with pesticides. According to Isnawan (2013) the direction of spraying which is opposite to the direction of the wind will provide more exposure so that it is more susceptible to poisoning. The absorption of these pesticides will be more optimal if workers do not use complete personal protective equipment.
The purpose of this study was to analyse the relationship between pesticide exposure and cholinesterase levels in pesticide sprayers at PT. Langkat Nusantara Kepong Kebun Gohor Lama in 2018. The results were obtained blood samples from workers with tenure> 5 years were 38 workers (58.5%) and tenure = <5 years 27 (41.5%) workers. Personal hygiene on the obtained results from unfavourable workers in personal hygiene as many as 38 workers (58.1%) and good personal hygiene in a total of 27 workers (41.5%). On the use of PPE got the result that workers who do not comply by 28 workers (43.1%) and obedient in the use of PPE as many as 37 workers (56.9%), and workers with high levels of cholinesterase not average total of 32 workers (49.2%) and workers with higher levels of cholinesterase average total of 33 workers (50.8%). The tenure of the contribution to be the cause of poisoning in workers spraying pesticides. Pesticide sprayers. Pesticide spraying workers with tenure of more than 5 years will have a higher risk for poisoning. The study shows that 13 workers [spraying of pesticides (49.2%) who have worked for more than 5 years cholinesterase which possessed normal levels.

II. Research Method
The study shows that there is a relationship between the work period (p-value = 0.004), and the use of PPE (p-value = 0.002) associated with pesticide poisoning in the sprayers. The use of PPE non-compliance also have contributed to the occurrence of toxicity in the sprayers in PT Langkat Nusantara Kepong Lama Gohor which can be seen in the table above 71.4% of workers who do not abide in the use of PPE has cholinesterase levels are not healthy.
The working period is the time that is calculated based on the first year of research work to date measured in years, years have contributed to a decrease in cholinesterase levels, workers with long working lives have a higher risk to be exposed to pesticide poisoning. the longer the worker becomes sprayers, contact with pesticides would be even higher, and the risk of pesticide poisoning would be even higher. The longer the exposure to pesticides which will lead poisoning due to exposure to pesticides so that the number of toxins will accumulate in the body tissues and affect the health of workers.
This study is in line with research Osang (2016) on a rice farmer in the village Pangian Mongondow district that shows their relationship with the working lives of pesticide poisoning in the sprayers with p-value of 0.000 (p <0.05) and Rustia et al. (2010) explains that long work more than 3 years in handling pesticides tend to get exposed to higher risk than the farmers who experienced less than 3 years, it is caused by prolonged contact with pesticides over the years.
Some farmers spray at 08:00 to 11:00 am, because of the location of the current study began at 12.00 pm tends to rain. Spraying time associated with ambient temperatures can cause perspiration more, especially during the day, so it's more natural poisoning absorption through the skin.
This study shows about the usage of PPE in line with research Achmadi (2014), said that the information about the body part most exposed to risks as a sign of poisoning, and protective clothing should be used. Parts of the body that are susceptible to pesticide users using spray equipment is the hands and chest, while the more closed parts of the body of the health effects of pesticide use in the work can be reduced.
And research conducted by Kurniasih (2013), argued that the use of PPE when spraying affect the amount of grain pest entry of farmers into the body. In this study, there is a relationship between the uses of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) with cholinesterase levels. The use of PPE when spraying is very influential on the number of entry of pesticides in the body of farmers. The use of PPE should be appropriate procedures according to Agricultural Research (2014), farmers should use hats, goggles, masks, gowns, latex gloves, long pants, and sneakers. If the farmer wearing full PPE will be able to reduce and minimize exposure to pesticides can lead to human health problems.

IV. Conclusion
Based on research conducted on 65 samples of sprayer workers in PT. Langkat Nusantara Kepong Lama Gohor found that there are still many workers who do not abide in the use of PPE and does well in personal hygiene. From the results, we know to tenure, and use of PPE has been associated with toxicity in the sprayers in pt langkat Nusantara Kepong Lama Gohor.
It is expected to be more docile workers in using the PPE at the workplace to minimize exposure to pesticides that enter into the worker's body, such as using a hat or helmet, mask types chemical Cartridge, Long-sleeved shirt, long pants, aprons, goggles and boots. Meanwhile the company more attention to the feasibility of PPE is replacing PPE is damaged, make rules or sanctions if workers are negligent and do not use PPE provided and workers with high levels of cholinesterase were not average should be moved temporarily to a job that minimal chemicals and companies are advised using environmentally friendly pesticides that do not harm workers, non-target animals and insects. Further research is needed on toxicity using other variables that may act as an essential risk factor and unknown.