Work-Related Risk Factors by Severity for Acute Pesticide Poisoning Among Male Farmers in South Korea

Abstract

The objective of this study was to explore work-related risk factors of acute occupational pesticide poisoning among male farmers according to the severity of the poisoning. A nationwide sampling survey of male farmers was conducted in South Korea in 2011. A total of 1,958 male farmers were interviewed. Severity of occupational pesticide poisoning in 2010 was evaluated according to symptoms, types of treatment, and number of pesticide poisoning incidents per individual. A multinomial logistic regression model was used to estimate the odds ratio with 95% confidence intervals for risk factors of acute occupational pesticide poisoning. We found that the risk of acute occupational pesticide poisoning increased with lifetime days of pesticide application (OR = 1.74; 95% CI = 1.32–2.29), working a farm of three or more acres in size (OR = 1.49), not wearing personal protective equipment such as gloves (OR = 1.29) or masks (OR = 1.39). Those who engaged in inappropriate work behaviors such as not following pesticide label instructions (OR = 1.61), applying the pesticide in full sun (OR = 1.48), and applying the pesticide upwind (OR = 1.54) had a significantly increased risk of pesticide poisoning. There was no significant risk difference by type of farming. In addition, the magnitude of these risk factors did not differ significantly by severity of acute pesticide poisoning. In fact, our findings suggest that work-related risk factors contributed to the development of acute occupational pesticide poisoning without relation to its severity. Therefore, prevention strategies for reducing occupational pesticide poisoning, regardless of severity, should be recommended to all types of farming and the level of poisoning severity.

Association of Pesticide Use and Personal Protective Equipments with Health Complaints among Horticulture Farmers in Buleleng, Bali

“…9 Peningkatan intensitas kegiatan pertanian OR=1,74 (95%CI: 1,32-2,29), tidak menggu-nakan APD sarung tangan OR=1,29 (95%CI: 1,04-1,60) dan masker OR=1,39 (95%CI: 1,11-1,73); serta menggunakan pestisida golongan organophosfat dijumpai sebagai faktor yang berhubungan dengan keluhan kesehatan akibat pestisida. 9,10 Berdasarkan kondisi di atas, diperlukan penelitian untuk mengetahui penggunaan pestisida dan APD serta hubungannya dengan keluhan kesehatan agar dapat dijadikan acuan dalam pembinaan kepada pengguna dan sebagai bahan masukan serta evaluasi terkait kebijakan pengawasan pestisida di Bali.…”

“…Pada saat pencampuran semua petani tidak menggunakan sarung tangan dan hampir semua tidak menggunakan masker. 10,17 Temuan lain dalam penelitian ini bahwa walaupun petani tahu cara penyimpanan pestisida harusnya di tempat tertutup dan jauh dari jangkauan anak-anak, namun dalam praktiknya penyimpanan pestisida hanya menggunakan ember tanpa tutup (69%) atau digantung plastik (18,4%); sehingga dapat terjadi risiko paparan pestisida. 17,18 Keluhan kesehatan yang dijumpai pada petani di Desa Pancasari diantaranya sakit kepala (51,7%), kelelahan (46,0%), gatal-gatal (39,1%) dan mual-mual (35,6%).…”

“…Hasil studi di Philipina menunjukkan sakit kepala (48%), gatal-gatal (60,5%), kelelahan (41%) dan mual-mual (23,5%). 10,12 Proporsi keluhan kesehatan spesifik dengan kriteria dua keluhan adalah 60,9%. Jika menggunakan minimal tiga atau empat keluhan dijumpai 58,6% dan 13,8% dari 87 petani mengalami keluhan kesehatan.…”

Assessment of Total Risk on Non-Target Organisms in Fungicide Application for Agricultural Sustainability

“…Educational training programs focusing on basic safety precautions and proper uses of personal protection equipment (PPE) are possible interventions that could be used to control the respiratory diseases associated with pesticide exposure in occupational settings [36]. Kim et al (2013) indicated an increased risk of pesticide poisoning with the lack of proper use of gloves or masks as personal protective equipment during pesticide application [37]. Godyn et al (2012) observed of sprayer technical condition on operator exposure and human health [38].…”

Occupational Risk Factors for Acute Pesticide Poisoning among Farmers in Asia

“…It suggested that the risk of acute occupational pesticide poisoning increased with lifetime days of pesticide application (OR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.32-2.29). Reasons were not wearing personal protective equipment such as gloves (OR, 1.29) or masks (OR, 1.39), not following pesticide label instructions (OR, 1.61), applying the pesticide in full sun (OR, 1.48), and applying the pesticide upwind (OR, 1.54) which greatly increased risk of pesticide poisoning [32].…”