Settings: This study aimed at evaluating exposure of young workers to organophosphate pesticides and comparison of two agricultural settings. Methods: A cross sectional study including 75 workers who worked for at least one year in pesticide application In Alkantara Gharb in 2006, an interview questionnaire, blood and urine samples were collected. Acetylcholine esterase activity were determined and five organophosphate metabolites were measured, methylphosphate, dimethylthiophosphate,dimethyldithiophosphate, diethylphosphate, and diethylthiophosphate. Results: mean age of children was 11.8±2.7, mean duration of work was 3.1±1.5 years, 42field workers and 33 green house workers. Fifty-four (72%) of children were usinghygienic practices during work, 43 (57.3%) of children were using hygienic practices
after work, 21 (28%) of children developed intoxication due to exposure to pesticides,12 (16%) of children had symptoms due to exposure to pesticides and only 13 (17.3%) of children used personal protective equipment. The mean of cholinesterase in serum was 3.9±0.8, mean of cholinesterase in blood was 26.9±5.2 (normal range,
PChE:3-9x103 U/L, AChE:24-40 U/gHb), the mean of dimethylphosphate was 1.6±0.5, while the mean of dimethylthiophosphate was 19.9±18.9, the mean of dimethyldithiophosphate was 1.8±1.2, the mean of diethylphosphate was 0.89±0.2 and the mean of diethyldithiophosphate was 3.8±1.5. Conclusion and Recommendation: Young worker exposure to organophosphates pesticides led to presence of measurableorga nophosphates pesticides metabolites in their blood. Further research is needed to assess the actual acute and chronic health impacts of such exposures.