Difference in Accidents,Health Symptoms,and Ergonomic Problems between Conventional Farmers Using Pesticides and Organic Farmers |
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Authors: | Noppanun Nankongnab Pornpimol Kongtip Mathuros Tipayamongkholgul Ariya Bunngamchairat Suthart Sitthisak Susan Woskie |
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Institution: | 1. Department of Occupational Health and Safety, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Center of Excellence on Environmental Health and Toxicology, Commission on Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Bangkok, Thailandnoppanun.nan@mahidol.ac.th https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7256-3385;3. Department of Occupational Health and Safety, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Center of Excellence on Environmental Health and Toxicology, Commission on Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Bangkok, Thailand;4. Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand;5. Phitsanulok Provincial Public Health Office, Phitsanulok, Thailand;6. Department of Public Health, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, USA |
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Abstract: | ABSTRACTOrganic farming has been promoted in Thailand by King Rama the ninth. In addition to being healthier for consumers, organic farming is healthier for agricultural workers. The cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the frequency of chronic disease conditions, accidents, health symptoms, and ergonomic problems among 243 conventional (pesticide using) farmers and 235 organic farmers. Data were collected using questionnaires in face-to-face interviews. The results indicated symptoms that could be related to pesticide exposure (skin rashes, water blisters, headache, dizziness, and loss of appetite) were significantly higher among conventional farmers than organic farmers. The organic farmers reported significantly more health symptoms such as hives, chest pain, mild fever, flatulence, and frequent urination than the conventional farmers. The organic farmers reported significantly more pain, numbness, or weakness in the wrists/hands, fingers, upper back, hips, and ankles/feet than conventional farmers. |
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Keywords: | Organic farmers ergonomics health symptoms accident pesticide |
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