• 1993 – Voluntary recommendations
  
• 1995 – TAG report
  
• 2002 – Rios decision

• Chapter 296-307-148, WAC
  
• Effective date: February 1, 2004

• Enzyme present in the nervous system and other tissues
  
• Acts as the nervous system’s “Off Switch” by removing the neurotransmitter acytelcholine

• Overexposure decreases available cholinesterase
  
• May result in over stimulation of the nervous system.

• Headaches
• Muscle twitch or weakness
• Shortness of breath
• Diarrhea
• Convulsions
• Coma
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Anxiety
• Pinpoint pupils

• Organophosphates
  • Guthion
  • Lorsban
  • Imidan
  • Monitor
  • Mocap
• N-methylcarbamates
  • Sevin
  • Temik
  • Lannate
  • Vydate

• Simple blood tests
  
• Measures both red blood cell (RBC) and plasma cholinesterase (ChE)
  
• Periodic tests compared to individual’s baseline
  
• Change in blood ChE levels reflect change in nervous system ChE levels

• Documents all time each employee spends handling the covered pesticide.
  
• Handling records must be kept for 7 years
  
• Accessible to employees and medical professionals

• Mixing, Loading, Transferring
  
• Applying
  
• Handling Opened Containers
  
• Disposing of pesticide or containers
  
• Maintenance of contaminated equipment

• Beginning February 1, 2004, employees who handle covered pesticides for 50 or more hours in any consecutive 30-day period
  
• *Beginning February 1, 2005, employees who handle covered pesticides for 30 or more hours in any consecutive 30-day period

• Employees who handle only N-methylcarbamate pesticides will be exempt from the both the baseline and periodic monitoring requirement.
  
• Hours spent mixing and loading using closed systems (Lock ‘N Load, soluble packets or “solupak”) will not be counted for periodic testing.

• Contract with a medical provider to:
  • Provide baseline and periodic cholinesterase testing
  • Interpret tests and make recommendations
• The provider must use the Washington State Department of Health Laboratory.

• Do baseline testing each year at least 30 days since last exposure to covered pesticides
• Do Periodic testing:*
  • Once every 30 days; OR.
  • Within 3 days of any 30-day period where the employee has met or exceeded the handling hours threshold.

• Work practices
• Protective Clothing
• Respirator
• Sanitation

• Temporarily remove the employee from exposure
  
• Evaluate your worker protection program
  
• Return the employee to handling or other exposures to covered pesticides when levels return to within 20% of baseline

• Employers must maintain the employee’s pay, benefits and seniority
  
• Protection will not exceed 3 months

• Maintain the following records for 7 years
  • Name of medical provider
  • Cholinesterase test results*
  • Medical provider recommendations
  • Work practice evaluations
  • Medical removal dates
  • Declination forms

• Ensure employees receive training that includes*
  • The health hazards of organophosphate and N-methyl-carbamate pesticides
  • The purpose and requirements of cholinesterase monitoring

NASD Review: 06/2006