High Prevalence of Respiratory and Dermal Symptoms Among Ethiopian Flower Farm Workers

Hanssen, Vegard Mjelde; Nigatu, Amare Workiye; Zeleke, Zeyede K; Moen, Bente E.; Bråtveit, Magne

doi:10.1080/19338244.2013.853645

Cited by 33 publications

(45 citation statements)

References 61 publications

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“…Data from our study showed that respiratory ailments are common among workers at farms growing rambutan, durian, longan, and long kong. Overall, 55% of the migrant farm workers developed cough symptoms, 56.2% had phlegm, and 46% had dyspnea, consistent with an earlier study by Hanssen et al [46], which focused on the prevalence of chronic cough symptoms in Ethiopian farm workers (43.7%). The overall difficulty in breathing (70.2%) corresponded to the findings of a study conducted on workers in vineyards and mango farms, which reported several respiratory disorders, including dyspnea and suffocation crisis (74.1% vs. 5.2%), cough (27.6% vs. 15.7%), expectoration (25.3% vs. 13.8%), and chronic bronchitis (20.7% vs. 13.9%) [47].…”

Section: A Factors Related To Respiratory System Distress Symptomssupporting

confidence: 88%

Association of Respiratory Impairment with Use of Anti-cholinesterase Pesticides in Migrant Fruit Farm Workers in Eastern Thailand

Thetkathuek¹,

Sa-Ngiamsak²,

Choedkiattikool³

2020

IJESD

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Migrant farm workers are exposed to occupational hazards in terms of exposure to pesticides containing organophosphate (OP) and carbamate (CM). In cases of mishandling of a pesticide, workers may be exposed to higher amounts of such toxic particles. Our study involved assessing factors related to respiratory disorders, including evidence of impaired lung function and respiratory system disorder symptoms (RSDS), in 274 migrant farm workers in Eastern Thailand. The experimental procedure involved interviews, as well as serum cholinesterase (SChE) and lung function assessments using a reactive paper blood test and spirometry, respectively. A multiple logistic regression analysis of independent variables and RSDS revealed an odds ratio (OR, 95% CI) of 2.787 (1.210, 6.470) in female subjects. Consumption of >4 glasses of alcohol/week and exposure to dust for >4 h/day were associated with an OR (95% CI) of 4. 675 (1.395, 15.671) and 2.743 (1.238, 6.093), respectively. The multiple linear regression analysis of independent variables indicated that the SChE level, gender, age, and carrying of a sprayer were associated with as determined from the forced vital capacity (R = 0.579, R2 = 0.34; p < 0.05) and additionally associated with the forced expired volume in one second (R = 0.562, R2 = 0.315; p < 0.05). The assessment of respiratory system disorders is necessary for female farm workers who consume >3 glasses of alcohol/week, are older in age, and perform tasks that involve carrying a sprayer. Moreover, the SChE level should be routinely screened to monitor the health of migrant workers.Index Terms-Migrant farm workers, cholinesterase level, respiratory impairment, lung function test, fruit farm, Thailand.

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Section: A Factors Related To Respiratory System Distress Symptomssupporting

confidence: 88%

Association of Respiratory Impairment with Use of Anti-cholinesterase Pesticides in Migrant Fruit Farm Workers in Eastern Thailand

Thetkathuek¹,

Sa-Ngiamsak²,

Choedkiattikool³

2020

IJESD

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“…Hanssen et al 18 reported prevalences of 43.7% and 70.2% for chronic cough and shortness of breath among farm workers in Ethiopia. These prevalences were more similar to the prevalences observed in the second survey, possibly suggesting that disease reporting was more complete in the second survey.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Though Ethiopia has endorsed a labour proclamation in order to minimise and control risks in occupational settings,16 previous studies have shown higher prevalences of respiratory symptoms17 18 and reductions in respiratory function19 20 in individuals occupationally exposed to pesticides.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although, these studies indicate a possible association between pesticide exposure and respiratory health they were mostly performed among (male) applicators in classical farming systems such as large-scale open farms (LSOFs) with the exception of Hanssen et al 18 who studied the newly established cut-flower industry in Ethiopia. Recently, due to expansions of new farming systems such as large-scale greenhouses (LSGHs) and small-scale irrigated farms (SSIFs) there has been a stark increase in pesticide use intensity (6–13-fold) 21.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Occupational pesticide exposure and respiratory health: a large-scale cross-sectional study in three commercial farming systems in Ethiopia

Negatu

Kromhout

Mekonnen

et al. 2016

Thorax

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Rationale In the last decade, due to expansion of greenhouses and irrigated farms, the use of pesticides in Ethiopia has increased 6-13-fold leading to potential health risks. Objective To investigate if occupational exposure to pesticides is associated with respiratory health effects in farmers and farm workers from commercial farming systems. Methods We performed two cross-sectional surveys comprising different farming systems. In the first survey we studied respiratory symptoms among 1104 subjects of which 601 were occupationally exposed to pesticides (ie, 256 pesticide applicators, 345 re-entry workers) and 503 unexposed individuals. The second survey, carried out 2 years later in the same farming regions, additionally included lung function measurement and comprised a total of 387 study subjects of which 206 were occupationally exposed to pesticides (142 applicators and 64 re-entry workers) and 180 unexposed individuals. Results We observed increased risks for chronic cough and shortness of breath (OR=3.15, 95% CI 1.56 to 6.36 and OR=6.67, 95% CI 2.60 to 17.58) among the exposed subjects as compared with unexposed individuals in the first survey. These results were corroborated in the second survey where we also observed reductions in FEV 1 (140 mL), forced expiratory flow 25%-75% (550 mL/s) and risk of FEV 1 /FVC ratio <0.8 (OR=4.31, 95% CI 2.11 to 8.81) among pesticide exposed workers. Conclusions These findings indicate an increased risk of adverse respiratory health among workers exposed to pesticides. As those effects occurred in young workers (mean age 27 years) and within a relative short duration of exposure (4 years) implementation of stringent occupational health measures are warranted.

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“…The negative health effects of pesticides vary from short-term (skin irritation, eye irritation, headache, dizziness and nausea) to chronic health impacts (asthma, diabetes and cancer) [10]. Numerous pesticides are used on flower farms and represent different chemical and hazard classes, some of them belonging to the hazard class I and II according to the classification of the World Health Organization (WHO) [11][12][13]. According to the Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture, around 300 chemicals are used by the flower industry in Ethiopia [14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pesticide Use and Serum Acetylcholinesterase Levels among Flower Farm Workers in Ethiopia—A Cross-Sectional Study

Shentema

Kumie

Bråtveit

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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The flower industry in East Africa has grown in recent years, especially in the production and export of roses. The aim of this study was to assess pesticide use on selected flower farms in Ethiopia. Serum cholinesterase levels in workers were used as a marker of pesticide exposure. This study was a cross-sectional study involving 588 workers from 15 different flower farms. It had a response rate of 95.5%. The participants included 277 males (mean age 26 years; 148 pesticide sprayers and 129 non-sprayers) and 311 females (mean age 25 years; 156 working in greenhouses and 155 working outside the greenhouses). The researchers undertook structured interviews, blood sampling, and walkthrough surveys. Descriptive statistics and Poisson regression were used in the statistical analyses. A total of 154 different trade names of pesticides were found. Of them, 31 (27%) were classified as moderately hazardous by the WHO, and 9% were organophosphates. Serum levels of cholinesterase deviating from 50–140 Michel units were considered abnormal. Abnormal serum cholinesterase levels (above 140 Michel units) were found in 97 participants (16.5%, 95% confidence interval 13.7–19.7%). There were no differences between the four job groups regarding cholinesterase levels. The high prevalence of abnormal serum cholinesterase levels might indicate the presence of pesticide intoxication. Thus, there is a need for routine monitoring of all workers exposed to pesticides, not only sprayers.

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High Prevalence of Respiratory and Dermal Symptoms Among Ethiopian Flower Farm Workers

Cited by 33 publications

References 61 publications

Association of Respiratory Impairment with Use of Anti-cholinesterase Pesticides in Migrant Fruit Farm Workers in Eastern Thailand

Association of Respiratory Impairment with Use of Anti-cholinesterase Pesticides in Migrant Fruit Farm Workers in Eastern Thailand

Occupational pesticide exposure and respiratory health: a large-scale cross-sectional study in three commercial farming systems in Ethiopia

Pesticide Use and Serum Acetylcholinesterase Levels among Flower Farm Workers in Ethiopia—A Cross-Sectional Study

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