Background A comprehensive surveillance system for occupational injuries to adolescents does not exist in Texas, as in most states. Therefore, the magnitude, severity, nature, and source of injuries to working adolescents have not been well described in Texas. Methods The investigators used three data sources to investigate work‐related injuries and deaths in Texas: (1) Texas Workers' Compensation Commission (TWCC) claims data from 1991 through April 1996; (2) 1993 TWCC/Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Annual Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses; and (3) work‐related fatalities identified from Texas death certificates from 1990–1995. Results There were 9,027 injuries reported to the TWCC for adolescents 14–17 years of age during slightly more than 5 years. Injuries for which indemnity payments were made (more than 7 days out of work) occurred among 21.7% of the adolescents. Based on BLS data in 1993, of 992 non‐fatal injuries involving days away from work, 35% were caused by contact with objects, 27% by bodily reaction, and 24% by falls. Two‐thirds of these injuries occurred while working in eating and drinking places and grocery stores. Three‐quarters of the 30 deaths from 1990–1995 were accounted for equally by motor vehicle and homicide. Conclusions In conclusion, a substantial number of adolescents are injured or killed in the workplace each year in Texas. Although improved population‐based surveillance is needed, sufficient knowledge exists to begin prevention efforts now. Am. J. Ind. Med. 35:43–50, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

These focus groups helped to provide information for developing questionnaire items related to pesticide exposure among migrant farmworker children, and highlighted the importance of using bilingual community interviewers and including children as respondents.

Background Migrant and seasonal farmworkers have a high potential for pesticide exposures, yet are rarely included in epidemiologic studies. This study examined the feasibility of assessing prenatal exposures to pesticides and other compounds in pregnant Hispanic farmworkers. Methods Nine women completed a survey about work experiences during pregnancy. Maternal urine, cord blood, and placenta samples were obtained at delivery for analysis of 51 analytes, including 6 phenoxy acid or triazine herbicides, 21 organochlorine insecticides, 10 PCBs, and 14 volatile organic compounds. Results Seven of 51 analytes were found in the biological samples. DDE, DDT, dichlorbenzene, toluene, trimethylbenzene, and endosulfan sulfate were detected in cord blood samples, and 2,4-D in urine from one or more women. Conclusions We documented the feasibility of following farmworkers to assess in utero exposure to pesticides and other contaminants, and demonstrated exposure to these compounds. Dif®culties in measuring pesticides with short half lives were noted. Am. J. Ind. Med. 40:578±585, 2001. ß 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.KEY WORDS: prenatal; farmwork; migrant; pesticides; cancer; occupation; Hispanic; Texas INTRODUCTIONPesticides are a broad class of chemicals used for pest control and are classi®ed by formulation, target pests, mode of action, or chemical structure [Stevenson, 1995]. While there are many bene®ts to pesticide application, pesticide exposures have been associated with a wide variety of adverse health outcomes. Acute health effects include irritant effects, systemic poisoning, and contact dermatitis. Chronic health effects include cancer, neurotoxicity, birth defects, and adverse reproductive effects [Sharp and Eskenazi, 1986;Moses, 1993]. A number of studies have linked pesticides to childhood cancer [Zahm and Ward, 1998]. Some epidemiologic studies have reported an association between childhood cancer risk and parental exposure to pesticides during pregnancy [Zahm and Ward, 1998]. The transplacental carcinogenesis of diethylstilbestrol [Giusti et al., 1995] illustrates the vulnerability of the fetus to the effects of in utero exposure. Prenatal exposure appears particularly hazardous [Rogan et al., 1986;Jacobson et al., 1990;Yu et al., 1991], although, one small study of prenatal DDE exposure showed no relation to preterm delivery [Berkowitz et al., 1996]. Animal studies demonstrating the transplacental transfer of genotoxins with subsequent teratogenic and carcinogenic effects also raise concern about in utero exposure to pesticides [Autrup, 1993] carcinogenicity of about half of the pesticides evaluated in experimental studies [IARC, 1987].There is a paucity of research on occupational and environmental hazards affecting minority women, particularly those of Hispanic ethnicity [Dula et al., 1993]. People of color and low-income groups experience a disproportionate burden of pesticide exposure and related health effects, and yet are rarely studied . Women who work as migrant or seasonal farmworkers have a particularly...

The excellent follow-up rate was due in part to the high participation rates among persons contacted for information, stability of the farmworkers' permanent homes, predictable timing of migration, and a longstanding health research program with established community contacts.

Background To design questionnaires for epidemiologic research among children of migrant farmworkers, researchers need to consider ways to best solicit information about pesticide exposures. Methods Bilingual facilitators conducted ®ve focus groups with either migrant farmworker mothers or their children (age range 8±16 years) in southern Texas and northeastern Colorado. Guided questions were used to assess activities of migrant farmworker children and the ways to best elicit information about exposure to pesticides. Results Participants reported a large number of activities that may potentially expose children to pesticides through both direct and indirect routes. Prompting, indirect questions about chemical use, and use of local and trusted facilitators increased information elicited from focus group participants. Conclusions These focus groups helped to provide information for developing questionnaire items related to pesticide exposure among migrant farmworker children, and highlighted the importance of using bilingual community interviewers and including children as respondents.

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We documented the feasibility of following farmworkers to assess in utero exposure to pesticides and other contaminants, and demonstrated exposure to these compounds. Difficulties in measuring pesticides with short half lives were noted.