Acute pesticide poisoning among cut-flower farmers

The study reported here looked at adverse health effects associated with pesticide exposure among cut-flower farmers in La Trinidad, Philippines. Survey questionnaires and detailed physical and laboratory examinations were administered to 114 and 102 respondents, respectively, to determine pesticide exposure, work and safety practices, individual and family illnesses, and cholinesterase levels. Results showed that pesticide application was the activity most frequently associated with pesticide exposure, and entry was mostly ocular and dermal. Involvement of the skin was noted, with 21 percent of farmers having integumentary abnormalities. Upon physical examination, 90 respondents, or 88.2 percent of those examined, were found to have abnormal peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR). Abnormal temperature was found in 81.3 percent, and the next most frequent finding was abnormal general-survey results, at 75.5 percent. In 51 percent, cholinesterase levels were below the mean value of 0.7 delta pH/hour. (The unit of measure A pH/hour refers to the change in cholinesterase activity as measured by the difference between the initial pH and the final pH when acetylcholine solution has been added to the red blood cell for 1 1/2 hours. A decrease in cholinesterase activity will produce a low delta pH/hour level) In 25.5 percent, a more than 10 percent depression in the level of RBC cholinesterase was found. Certain hematological parameters were also abnormal, namely hemoglobin, hematocrit, and eosinophil count. Using Pearson's r, the author found that factors strongly associated with illness due to pesticides include use of a contaminated piece of fabric to wipe off sweat (p = .01) and reuse of pesticide containers to store water (p = .01), Recycling of containers poses great health hazards and risks of contamination, and the current recommendation is that used containers should be buried. There was a moderate relationship between illness and average number of years of pesticide use (p = .05), and between illness and re-entering a recently sprayed area (p = .05). Those with motor scale scores of < or = 15--normal values--were less likely to be sick. The greatest adverse effect in those exposed was an abnormal cholinesterase level, a finding that confirms results from earlier studies on the effect of pesticides on the body.     

Pesticide exposures among Hmong farmers in Thailand.

Highland Hmong farmers in Thailand have abandoned shifting cultivation of subsistence crops and turned to chemical-intensive cultivation of non-narcotic permanent field cash crops. Three highland communities and Hmong in urban Chiang Mai were studied. Most rural study participants applied chemicals, primarily to control insects, weeds, and fungus, by backpack and machine sprays and by hand. Hmong women have less Thai language skill than men and less information concerning hazards of exposure or use of protective clothing. Most Hmong know of the health hazards, but many fail to use adequate protective clothing to prevent exposure. Screening showed 20-69% of 582 Hmong adults with risky or unsafe levels of cholinesterase inhibition, an indicator of exposure to organophosphate and carbamate pesticides. Exposure rates are as high among those who do not actually apply pesticides as among those who do, suggesting exposure by routes in addition to direct contact associated with application.     

社会转型期失地农民心理健康及影响因素分析

目的 了解失地农民的心理健康状况,研究其影响因素,为制定失地农民的相关政策提供决策依据,帮助解决就业问题.方法 使用分层整群随机抽样的方法 抽取徐州市金山桥社区、茶棚社区失地农民.随机抽取一个居委会农民以症状自评量表(SCL-90)进行问卷调查,收回有效问卷1 041份.结果 被调查的失地农民中,有442人(占42.5%)心理异常.调查结果 显示,失地农民的SCL-90总均分、躯体化、焦虑、敌对、恐怖、偏执、精神病等因子得分都远高于非失地农民.多因素分析发现,年龄大、健康状况差、不能得到家人的帮助、与社会其他成员的联系少、对政策补助政策不满是影响失地农民心理健康的重要危险因素.结论 失地农民的心理健康存在个体差异;职业、年龄、性别、受教育程度、婚姻及家庭状况、社会保障状况、个人生活习惯、与社会的联系是影响失地农民心理健康的因素.     

Pesticide use and poisoning among farmers from the county of Paty do Alferes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

This survey is part of a more comprehensive study on the health consequences of pesticide exposure. In the county (municipality) of Paty do Alferes, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, 55 agricultural workers were interviewed on the use of pesticides, use of personal protective equipment, data on health status, and symptoms related to pesticide exposure, disposal of agrochemical containers, and technical assistance. The most widely used pesticides were insecticides such as abamectin, organophosphate compounds, and pyrethroids, and fungicides such as mancozeb, chlorothalonil, and copper products. As a rule, pesticides are handled carelessly, and 92% of workers involved in the mixing, loading, and spraying of insecticides and fungicides used no protective clothing or equipment whatsoever. Some 62% of workers reported at least one illness associated with mixing or spraying pesticides. The most frequently reported symptoms were headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, skin irritation, and blurred vision, and 21% of affected workers required medical care. In more than half (51%) of the cases, workers reported using organophosphate insecticides from toxicological class I when they felt sick.     

Pesticide exposure, risk factors and health problems among cutflower farmers: a cross sectional study

This was a cross-sectional study which aimed to determine associations between hematologic indices such as red blood cell cholinesterase (RBC) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV), with illnesses related to pesticide exposure among cutflower farmers in La Trinidad, Benguet. One hundred two (102) randomly selected cutflower farmers underwent comprehensive, personal physical health and laboratory examinations and answered a questionnaire on work practices and illness. Majority were males (52%) and most belonged to the 20–35 age group (45%). Majority of exposed farmers were symptomatic, with most common complaints being headache (48%), easy fatigability (46.1%) and cough (40.2%). Analysis showed that RBC cholinesterase levels were positively associated with age (p = 0.02), and selling pesticide containers (p = 0.008). number of years of using pesticides (p = 0.022), use of contaminated cloth (p = 0.033), incorrect mixing of pesticides (p = 0.041), sex (p = 0.002) and illness due to pesticides (p = 0.005) were correlated with abnormal MCV. Significant associations were also found for hemoglobin, hematocrit, RBC, white blood cell (WBC) and platelet count. Predictors of RBC cholinesterase were years of pesticide use (p = 0.037) and abnormalities on health (p = 0.029). The findings of the study can be used for information dissemination and pesticide reduction programs for the cutflower farmers.     

Pesticide poisoning and depressive symptoms among farm residents

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study presented is to evaluate the association between pesticides and depressive symptoms among a population exposed to chemicals as a result of agricultural use. Chronic sequelae of acute pesticide poisoning from organophosphate compounds may include anxiety and depression. In some states, farmers have been reported to have higher rates of depression than other population groups. Little work has been done to describe the effects of exposure to organophosphate compounds and depressive symptoms among the farming population. METHODS: Data for this study came from a cross sectional survey of farmers and their spouses conducted in an eight county area in northeastern Colorado. Personal interviews were conducted with the study participants. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression (CES-D) scale. Pesticides applied on the farms were assessed using self-reported questionnaires. Conditional logistic regression was used to model the relationship between depression and pesticide-related illness in a stratified analysis. RESULTS: Between 1992-1997, 761 individuals were enrolled in this cross sectional survey. Adjusting for a number of potential confounders, the odds ratio for depression associated with pesticide-related illness was 5.87 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.56-13.44]. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to pesticides at a high enough concentration to cause self reported poisoning symptoms was associated with high depressive symptoms independently of other known risk factors for depression among farm residents.     

Pesticide use among farmers in the Amazon basin of Ecuador

Pesticide use is one of the most significant occupational exposures for agricultural workers in the Amazon basin of Ecuador. A structured questionnaire was developed focusing on sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge and experience of adverse health effects related to pesticide use, details of work practices, and an inventory of pesticides used on the farm. Of the 112 farmers interviewed, 111 (99.1%) used pesticides. Paraquat was most commonly used (77.4%), followed by glyphosate (65.7%). Respondents had good knowledge about the acute health effects of pesticides and their exposure routes. Risk behaviors were identified as frequent pesticide use, washing pesticide equipment in water sources used by humans, inadequate disposal of empty pesticide containers, eating and drinking during pesticide application, and using inadequate protective clothing. Training and educational campaigns on pesticide use should be encouraged for this cohort, along with suggestions for alternative methods of pest control.     

Occupational exposure to pesticides and nerve conduction studies among Korean farmers

This study aimed to determine whether occupational exposure to pesticides was associated with decreased nerve conduction studies among farmers. On 2 separate occasions, the authors performed a cross-sectional study of a group of 31 male farmers who periodically applied pesticides. The study included questionnaire interviews and nerve conduction studies on the median, ulnar, posterior tibial, peroneal, and sural nerves. Although all mean values remained within laboratory normal limits, significant differences between the first and second tests were found in sensory conduction velocities on the median and sural nerves, and motor conduction velocities on the posterior tibial nerve. Lifetime days of pesticide application was negatively associated with nerve conduction velocities at most nerves after adjusting for potential confounders. These findings may reflect a link between occupational pesticide exposure and peripheral neurophysiologic abnormality that deserves further evaluation.     

Pesticide use and fatal injury among farmers in the Agricultural Health Study

Purpose

To assess whether pesticide use practices were associated with injury mortality among 51,035 male farmers from NC and IA enrolled in the Agricultural Health Study.

Methods

We used Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for age and state to estimate fatal injury risk associated with self-reported use of 49 specific pesticides, personal protective equipment, specific types of farm machinery, and other farm factors collected 1–15 years preceding death. Cause-specific mortality was obtained through linkage to mortality registries.

Results

We observed 338 injury fatalities over 727,543 person-years of follow-up (1993–2008). Fatal injuries increased with days/year of pesticide application, with the highest risk among those with 60+ days of pesticide application annually [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.87; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.10, 3.18]. Chemical-resistant glove use was associated with decreased risk (HR = 0.73; 95% CI = 0.58, 0.93), but adjusting for glove use did not substantially change estimates for individual pesticides or pesticide use overall. Herbicides were associated with fatal injury, even after adjusting for operating farm equipment, which was independently associated with fatal injury. Ever use of five of 18 herbicides (2,4,5-T, paraquat, alachlor, metribuzin, and butylate) were associated with elevated risk. In addition, 2,4-D and cyanazine were associated with fatal injury in exposure–response analyses. There was no evidence of confounding of these results by other herbicides.

Conclusion

The association between application of pesticides, particularly certain herbicides, and fatal injuries among farmers should be interpreted cautiously but deserves further evaluation, with particular focus on understanding timing of pesticide use and fatal injury.     

Pesticide use and chronic bronchitis among farmers in the Agricultural Health Study

BACKGROUND: Farmers have increased risk for chronic bronchitis. Few investigators have considered pesticides. METHODS: We evaluated pesticides as risk factors for chronic bronchitis using the Agricultural Health Study enrollment data on lifetime pesticide use and history of doctor-diagnosed chronic bronchitis from 20,908 private pesticide applicators, primarily farmers. RESULTS: A total of 654 farmers (3%) reported chronic bronchitis diagnosed after age 19. After adjustment for correlated pesticides as well as confounders, 11 pesticides were significantly associated with chronic bronchitis. Heptachlor use had the highest odds ratio (OR=1.50, 95% Confidence Interval (CI)=1.19, 1.89). Increased prevalence for chronic bronchitis was also seen for individuals who had a history of a high pesticide exposure event (OR=1.85, 95% CI=1.51, 2.25) and for those who also applied pesticides in off-farm jobs (OR=1.40, 95% CI=1.04, 1.88). Co-morbid asthma and current farm activities did not explain these results. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide preliminary evidence that pesticide use may increase chronic bronchitis prevalence.     

Pesticide use and safety practices among Greek tobacco farmers: a survey

An attempt was made to explore knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards safety issues of pesticide handling among tobacco farmers of the rural area of Pieria in northern Greece. From the 310 survey questionnaires that were mailed out, 223 were received fully and correctly completed resulting in a quite satisfactory response rate of 72%. A large majority of the farmers (96%) viewed pesticides as a guarantee for high tobacco yields and high product quality. Almost all farmers (99%) thought that pesticides can have serious adverse effects on users' health. Skin contact was recognized as the most common route of exposure during pesticide use (58%). Despite awareness of potential health risks by pesticide handling, a significant proportion of the farmers (46%) reported not using any special protective equipment when spraying pesticides. From those who reported that they use protective equipment, most stated that they normally use a hat (47%) and boots (63%). Only few farmers reported using a face mask (3%), gloves (8%), and coveralls (7%) on a regular basis. The reasons for not using protective equipment during pesticide handling were that protective equipment is uncomfortable (68%), too expensive to buy (17%), time-consuming to use (8%), not available when needed (6%), and not necessary for each case (2%). A large majority of the farmers (84%) said that they replace work clothing when it wears out and a considerable part (48%) stated that they wash work clothing after several uses. Although farmers' knowledge of potential hazards by pesticide use was high, the reported safety measures were poor. Continuous emphasis on the basic safety precautions required when using pesticides and on the importance of protective equipment is essential for changing wrong habits of farmers which can be hazardous for their health.     

铁路职工职业倦怠现况及其影响因素

目的了解太原铁路职工职业倦怠的整体状况,探讨其影响因素,从而为缓解和克服铁路职工职业倦怠,为有针对性地制定干预措施提供科学依据。方法分层随机抽取铁路职工600名,以问卷形式调查了解铁路职工的社会人口学、工作、健康和生活、社会支持状况,采用职业倦怠量表通用版(MBI-GS)对铁路职工的职业倦怠进行全面测量,并统计分析铁路职工职业倦怠的影响因素。结果铁路职工职业倦怠3个维度分值分别为情绪衰竭15.03±9.15,人格解体11.84±7.62,成就感降低19.55±10.21,总分为46.51±20.31。影响因素分析显示,50岁以上组的职业倦怠程度低于50岁以下组,工龄大于30 a组发生职业倦怠得分明显低于小于30 a组,火车司机比其他岗位人员更容易产生职业倦怠感;文化程度越低、家庭有收入人口数越少,连续工作时间越长,职业倦怠程度越高;日均睡眠时间越长,参加体育锻炼次数越多,兴趣越广泛,获得社会支持越多,职业倦怠程度越低。结论铁路职工存在职业倦怠现象,呈中等程度。工龄、职工不同工作岗位、连续工作时间、参加体育锻炼、兴趣、社会支持等是影响铁路职工职业倦怠程度的主要因素。     

Pesticide poisoning

Pesticides are one of the families of chemical products most widely used by man. They have been used above all to combat pests because of their effect on harvests and as vectors of transmissible diseases. Pesticides can be classified according to their use (insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, raticides em leader ) or by their chemical family (organochlorates, organophosphates, carbamates, pyrethroids, Bipyridilium compounds, inorganic salts em leader ). All of them are biocides, which normally implies a high toxicity for humans, which has been a cause for concern since the mid-XX century due to the widespread and indiscriminate use of these products. Exposure to pesticides can have effects that are acute, chronic and long-term. Some organochlorate compounds (such as DDT) were the first to be used in massive fumigations to fight malaria and have had to be banned because of their capacity for bioaccumulation and environmental persistence. The danger represented by the widespread presence of these agents has been demonstrated in numerous episodes of human toxic epidemics, producers of a high morbidity/mortality, described for nearly all chemical families: organochlorate insecticides and fungicides, organophosphate and carbamate insecticides, organomercurial fungicides and inorganic salts. These episodes have above all been caused through the ingestion of foodstuffs and in the occupational field. Other causes of health concern are their carcinogenic capacity and occasional reproductive alterations. The principal characteristics of some of the most relevant families are presented.     

蔬菜大棚种植作业农民健康危险因素调查

目的调查从事蔬菜大棚种植作业农民健康情况,分析影响从事种植作业农民健康的危险因素,为制定有效的干预措施提供依据。方法在山东省寿光市11个乡镇中随机抽取1 016名农民,调查在过去12个月内发生与职业劳动有关的损伤和相关危险因素。采用SPSS软件进行单因素和多因素非条件Logistic回归分析。结果寿光市蔬菜大棚农民职业相关损伤发生率为71.9%,农民自身的生理、心理以及社会家庭、工作环境中的很多因素影响职业健康;健康状况差(OR=0.304,95%CI=0.173～0.534),夏季大棚温度(OR=0.875,95%CI=0.792～0.966)和湿度低(OR=0.942,95%CI=0.914～0.972),冬季大棚温度高(OR=1.245,95%CI=1.124～1.379),大棚的宽度(OR=1.238,95%CI=1.005～1.525)和长度(OR=1.021,95%CI=1.003～1.040)大,大棚的前高(OR=0.808,95%CI=0.673～0.969)、墙体厚度(OR=0.995,95%CI=0.991～0.998)和面积(OR=0.355,95%CI=0.181～0.694)小,职业健康损伤发生的危险性高。结论从事大棚种植导致农民损伤的发生和环境因素密切相关,应针对相关危险因素采取有效措施,减少损伤的发生。     

Pesticide use and pesticide-related symptoms among black farmers in the Agricultural Health Study

BACKGROUND: Health effects of pesticides have not been well studied in black farmers. We describe agricultural practices and pesticide-related symptoms in North Carolina black and white farmers participating in the Agricultural Health Study. METHODS: Self-administered questionnaires were completed by 891 black and 11,909 white farmers licensed to apply restricted pesticides. Regression models were used to compare characteristics by race. RESULTS: Black farmers reported lower lifetime pesticide use, less use of each class of pesticides (e.g., herbicides, insecticides), less use of high exposure application methods, and fewer pesticide-related symptoms such as headaches or dizziness, skin irritation, chest discomfort and feeling nervous or depressed than did white farmers. CONCLUSIONS: Differences between black and white farmers may be explained by farm characteristics or economics. Despite lower use of pesticides, black farmers may have other work practices that affect exposure and risk.     

在校大学生营养知信行现状及影响因素分析

了解在校大学生营养知识、态度、行为现状及其影响因素,为高校营养教育提供参考.方法 抽取北京师范大学、北京师范大学珠海分校、西安建筑科技大学和武汉理工大学4所综合高校一至三年级2 261名在校大学生为调查对象,采用问卷调查的方法,调查内容包括营养知识、态度、行为和基本信息4部分.结果 大学生营养知识、态度、行为得分分别为(10.5±3.6)(20.8±4.2)(18.3±3.7)分;不同年级大学生营养知识、态度、行为的得分之间差异均有统计学意义(F值分别为19.35,15.19,5.47,P值均<0.01),营养知识得分情况为三年级>一年级>二年级,营养态度得分情况为二年级>三年级、一年级,营养行为得分情况为一年级>三年级;不同性别在校大学生营养KAP得分差异均有统计学意义(F值分别为=14.16,57.68,8.95,P值均<0.01),女生的得分均高于男生;父亲文化程度、家庭居住地、开设营养教育课程、对学生进行营养健康教育、食物支出、饮食比较、年龄、是否接受过专业指导以及学校张贴宣传资料为大学生营养知识、态度、行为的影响因素.结论 在校大学生营养知识行为水平较低,学校有关营养课程开设、营养教育宣传和营养专业指导等对大学生营养知识、态度、行为影响较大.     

医学生网络使用情况及网络成瘾相关因素分析

目的 了解医学生网络使用现状,对医学生的网络成瘾及其影响因素进行探讨. 方法 采用整群分层抽样的方法选取394名医学生进行问卷调查,对其中373名上网者的问卷结果进行单因素和Logistic多因素回归分析. 结果 网络成瘾者21人,占所用网络使用者5.6%,成瘾者与非成瘾者在性格类型、上网期间是否休息、每月上网费用、电子邮箱数等方面差异有统计学意义. 结论 网络成瘾已经成为威胁大学生身心健康的重要因素,应采取有效的措施积极预防.     

高校教职工糖尿病患病率及相关因素分析

目的了解高校教职工糖尿病患病情况及其主要危险因素,为该人群防治糖尿病提供依据。方法对郑州大学2008年参加健康体检的3 929名教职工的体检资料通过Logistic回归进行相关因素分析。结果总体人群糖尿病(DM)和空腹血糖受损(IFG)的患病率分别为10.1%(397/3 929)和17.4%(682/3 929),其中男性DM和IFG的患病率分别为11.4%和22.5%,明显高于女性患病率8.7%和11.8%(P<0.05);超重和肥胖、高胆固醇、高甘油三酯、高舒张压、高收缩压的检出率分别是49.5%、13.6%、28.6%、14.9%、15.5%;随着年龄、体质指数、血脂、血压的增加,糖尿病患病率均明显上升(P<0.05);多因素Logistic回归分析表明,年龄、体质指数、甘油三酯、收缩压是糖尿病的独立危险因素。结论郑州大学教职工糖尿病患病率已处于较高水平,随年龄增长糖尿病率逐渐增加,超重和肥胖、高血脂、高血压与糖尿病密切相关。     

皖西农村地区留守居民饮食习惯及其影响因素调查

目的 调查皖西农村地区留守居民的饮食习惯及其影响因素,为预防和控制一系列慢性病提供线索.方法 采用整群抽样方法从安徽六安三个地区抽取18个行政村,对4 040位留守居民进行饮食习惯问卷调查.结果 共收集有效问卷3 936份.本次调查发现:(1)92.53％的农民饮食规律,98.02％经常吃蔬菜;(2)较少摄入(7.93％～28.38％)酸、甜、油炸、加工食品等食品;(3)农民饮食偏咸(98.98％),爱吃腌制食品(74.87％),米/面等谷物摄入多(80.31％),半数以上农民经常吃肉类、热烫、辛辣等食品;(4)白肉、水果、牛奶等食品摄入很少;(5)性别、年龄、经济收入、文化程度和地区分布是很多饮食习惯的重要影响因素.结论 需重视农村留守居民这一个弱势群体,对农村居民的饮食习惯积极进行健康干预并引导预防和控制相关疾病.