Case Study
Effect of Neurotoxin Pesticides on Lung Vital Capacity*
The average lung vital capacity as measured with a spirometer is about 4.2 liters for a healthy
average-size adult male. Farm workers were accidentally exposed to a cholinesterase inhibitor
pesticide being sprayed on strawberry fields. The workers exhibited respiratory distress. To
assess the damage to their lungs, they were given vital capacity tests. The pesticide exposures
and vital capacities for 16 workers are shown below.
The potential effect of the neurotoxin pesticide on vital capacity has been established. Pesticide
exposures that result in a vital capacity of 2 liters or more have been determined to be safe.
* Data have been fabricated for this example case study. You might want to do an internet search to read about
cholinesterase inhibitors and their potential effects.
Effect of Neurotoxin Pesticides on Vital capacity
| FarmWorker | Pesticide Concentration (ppm) | Vital Capacity (liters) | Farm Worker |
Pesticide Concentration (ppm) | Vital Capacity (liters) |
| 1 | 150 | 3.9 | 9 | 1495 | 2.8 |
| 2 | 225 | 3.8 | 10 | 1050 | 3.1 |
| 3 | 375 | 4.3 | 11 | 0 | 4.4 |
| 4 | 950 | 3.7 | 12 | 705 | 4.0 |
| 5 | 1005 | 1.9 | 13 | 945 | 3.1 |
| 6 | 670 | 4.1 | 14 | 1380 | 1.7 |
| 7 | 245 | 4.6 | 15 | 845 | 3.6 |
| 8 | 1155 | 2.2 | 16 | 450 | 2.9 |