Pesticide use and related health problems among greenhouse workers in Batinah Coastal Region of Oman

Esechie, Jovita O.; Ibitayo, Olurominiyi O.

doi:10.1016/j.jflm.2011.02.009

Cited by 33 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…This could be taken as an opportunity to introduce similar but more effective equipment for prevention of pesticide exposure among farmers. With the exception of hand washing with soap after spraying limited hygienic practices were found among farmers similar to studies from Cambodia [ 21 ] and Ethiopia [ 26 ] but in contrast to studies from Bolivia [[ 18 ]] and Oman [ 22 ].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 61%

“…The infrequent use of PPE has been reported by studies conducted in other low-income countries as well [13, 18, 20-22 ]. Studies mentioned that the low use of PPE may be due to low education level, lack of training, low income, pesticide dealers not promoting/selling PPE, limited awareness and discomfort [ 13 , 18 , 20 – 22 ]. The use of dust masks, caps and long-sleeve shirts by the majority of farmers means that farmers are willing to wear them might signal their willingness to adopt other, more evidence-based measures.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Pesticide use, erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase level and self-reported acute intoxication symptoms among vegetable farmers in Nepal: a cross-sectional study

2014

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BackgroundAs pesticide use is increasing and proper handling training is lacking, exposure to pesticides and intoxications are an important public health problems among farmers in developing countries. This study describes pesticide use among farmers and compares symptoms of possible acute intoxication and Erythrocyte Acetylcholinesterase(AChE) levels among vegetable farmers with a control group of blood donors in Nepal.MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out among 90 pesticide-exposed farmers and a control group of 90 blood donors. Participants were randomly selected and data were gathered through questionnaires, observation and blood test. Chi-square test, logistic regression and Student’s t-test were used for data analysis to describe pesticide use and compare symptoms and AChE levels between the two groups. This study was approved by Nepal Health Research Council.ResultsThe majority of pesticides used were WHO class II, classified as moderately hazardous. The mean numbers of personal protective equipment used by farmers were 2.22 (95% CI: 1.89; 2.54). Out of five hygienic practices asked, farmers followed 3.63 (95% CI: 3.40; 3.86) hygienic practices on the average. Farmers reported more symptoms of possible pesticide intoxication in the past month than did controls, mean 5.47 (95% CI: 4.70; 6.25) versus 2.02 (95% CI: 1.63; 2.40) (p < 0.05). The mean haemoglobin-adjusted AChE(Q) was significantly lower among farmers compared to controls, 28.92 (95% CI: 28.28; 29.56) U/g versus 30.05 (95% CI: 29.51; 30.60) U/g, (p = 0.01). The risk of a farmer having lower Q level was about 3 times (OR = 2.95; 95% CI: 1.16; 7.51) greater than controls.ConclusionNepalese farmers exposed to pesticides have significantly more symptoms of possible pesticide intoxication than a control group of healthy individuals. A lower mean haemoglobin- adjusted AChE level was seen among farmers compared to the controls. The use of highly toxic pesticides, inadequate use of personal protective equipment and poor hygienic practices might explain the reason for symptoms of pesticide intoxication and a lower AChE level among farmers. Education and information of farmers should be undertaken to remediate these problems.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 61%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pesticide use, erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase level and self-reported acute intoxication symptoms among vegetable farmers in Nepal: a cross-sectional study

2014

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“…The low endotoxin exposure in the present study is not likely to explain the respiratory symptoms, and might rather be related to other components in the bioaerosol including fungi or pesticides [3,15]. Studies on greenhouse workers in Oman [32] and Turkey [33] reported prevalence of cough of 30% and 31%, respectively. The higher prevalence in these two studies than in the present study (19% of day/night time cough), might be explained by the higher age (78% over 30 years), cigarette smoking (19.8%) and longer work experience (73% over 7 years) of the workers in the Oman study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 63%

Respiratory symptoms, fractional exhaled nitric oxide & endotoxin exposure among female flower farm workers in Ethiopia

Nigatu

Bråtveit

Deressa

et al. 2015

J Occup Med Toxicol

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BackgroundGreenhouse workers are exposed to organic dusts, and they are thereby at risk of developing airway disorders. This study aims to measure personal endotoxin exposure, assess respiratory symptoms and measure fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) among female flower farm workers in Ethiopia.MethodsA cross-sectional study involving female workers (n = 248) from four flower farms was conducted. The workers were interviewed for respiratory symptoms using a standard questionnaire. Workers from two of these farms also participated in personal endotoxin sampling (46 workers, 75 measurements) on glass fiber filters (0.2 μm pore size) inside conductive 25 mm Millipore cassettes for sampling of the “total dust” fraction. They also participated in FeNO (n = 114) measurements with a portable electrochemistry-based sensor. Chi-square and independent t-tests were used to compare categorical and continuous variables respectively. A mixed-effects model was used to analyze exposure determinants.ResultsEndotoxin exposure had a geometric mean (GM) of 22.8 endotoxin units (EU)/m3 with a maximum of 180 EU/m3. Greenhouse workers had significantly higher endotoxin exposure than workers outside the greenhouses (GM = 26.7 vs. 19.3 EU/m3 respectively; p < 0.05). The mean age of the workers was 24 years, and their mean working time in the flower farm was 21 months. Greenhouse workers had higher prevalence of self-reported respiratory symptoms than those outside greenhouses. However, after adjusting for education only blocked nose remained significant. The FeNO concentration ranged 5–166 ppb (GM = 14 ppb). Two workers had FeNO concentration above 50 ppb. FeNO levels differs significantly between the farms but there was no difference between workers inside and outside greenhouses.ConclusionGreenhouse workers at flower farms had higher prevalence of blocked nose than workers outside, which may indicate the presence of rhinitis. Endotoxin exposure was low. There were few workers with objective signs of airway inflammation; this might be because the mean working time in the greenhouses was only two years. We suggest further studies to evaluate the effect of longer employment and exposure time as well as to investigate possible exposure to pesticides and other components in the bio-aerosols.

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“…A study from Oman among south Asian farmers reported burning sensation (39.2%), headache (33.8%), and skin irritation (70.3%) as the most commonly reported symptoms. 21 A study conducted in Vietnam showed that the most commonly reported symptoms were skin irritation (66%), headache (61%), and eye irritation (56%). 22 The signs and symptoms reported in this study are somewhat similar to those reported in studies conducted in many developing countries, and also it was clear that there were various subjective observations seen among different studies regarding the commonest complaints reported by the farmers.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pesticide Poisoning Among Commercial Vegetable Farmers of Chitwan, Nepal

Gayatri¹,

Amarjeet²,

Govinda³

2016

Primary Prevention Insights

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Pesticide use in Nepal has increased by 10%-20% annually, and the proportion of vegetable growers using pesticides in Nepal has also increased from 7. 1% (1991/1992) to 16.1% (2001/2002), thereby increasing the chances of pesticide poisoning among farmers. A cross-sectional study was conducted in four Village Development Committees of Chitwan to determine the adverse health effects of pesticide among 125 commercial vegetable farmers. It was observed that 71% of them were found to be affected after spraying. Farmers experienced 3 poisoning symptoms out of 12. The most common symptoms experienced were skin irritation (62%) and headache (55%). In spite of poisoning, 82% stayed idle, whereas 18% either took self-medication or sought medical attention. Although a majority of the farmers suffered from pesticide poisoning, most of them did not seek medical assistance. Hence, there is an immediate need for promoting education for the farmers about the identification and treatment of poisoning along with its possible prevention.

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Pesticide use and related health problems among greenhouse workers in Batinah Coastal Region of Oman

Cited by 33 publications

References 19 publications

Pesticide use, erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase level and self-reported acute intoxication symptoms among vegetable farmers in Nepal: a cross-sectional study

Pesticide use, erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase level and self-reported acute intoxication symptoms among vegetable farmers in Nepal: a cross-sectional study

Respiratory symptoms, fractional exhaled nitric oxide & endotoxin exposure among female flower farm workers in Ethiopia

Pesticide Poisoning Among Commercial Vegetable Farmers of Chitwan, Nepal

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