A Method for Semi-quantitative Assessment of Exposure to Pesticides of Applicators and Re-entry Workers: An Application in Three Farming Systems in Ethiopia

Negatu, Beyene; Vermeulen, Roel; Mekonnen, Yalemtshay; Kromhout, Hans

doi:10.1093/annhyg/mew022

Cited by 26 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…A study in LSGHs in Ethiopia reported a similar high risk for respiratory symptoms among cutters and weeders when compared with other unexposed farm workers (packing and bundling) (ie, OR of 2.2 (95% CI 1.0 to 5.1) and 1.8 (95% CI 0.9 to 3.8)) for chronic cough and shortness of breath, respectively 1. These risks are lower than the risks observed in our study which possibly can be explained by the fact that the reference workers in packing and bundling might still have the potential for pesticide exposure as indicated by our previously developed exposure algorithm for re-entry workers23 and the fact that among these workers’ elevated risks for respiratory symptoms were observed in our study.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 61%

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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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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 61%

“…Pesticide exposure was assessed both qualitatively and semiquantitatively as previously described in Negatu et al 23. The exposures assessment was based on exposure estimates obtained from exposure algorithms developed separately for applicators and re-entry workers.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Self Cite

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“…*Khat is an evergreen shrub of eastern Africa and Arabia; its leaves have narcotic properties.†Exposure units, estimates of occupational pesticide exposure using algorithms as described in Negatu et al 27.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…†Exposure units, estimates of occupational pesticide exposure using algorithms as described in Negatu et al 27.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neurobehavioural symptoms and acute pesticide poisoning: a cross-sectional study among male pesticide applicators selected from three commercial farming systems in Ethiopia

et al. 2018

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“…Negatu et al (49) developed two semi-quantitative exposure algorithms to assess cumulative exposure to pesticides in a group of applicators and re-entry workers of different farming systems in Ethiopia. These algorithms were based on detailed exposure factors, including application methods, farm layout (open or closed), pesticide mixing circumstances, the cleaning of spraying equipment, the amount of pesticide application per day, the utilization of PPE, personal hygienic behavior, the annual frequency of application, and the length of employment at the farm.…”

Section: Use Of Job-exposure Matrices and Quantitative Algorithmsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Occupational exposure to pesticides as a possible risk factor for the development of chronic diseases in humans

Gangemi

Miozzi

Teodoro

et al. 2016

Molecular Medicine Reports

141

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It is well known that pesticides are widely used compounds. In fact, their use in agriculture, forestry, fishery and the food industry has granted a huge improvement in terms of productive efficiency. However, a great number of epidemiological surveys have demonstrated that these toxic compounds can interact and exert negative effects not only with their targets (pests, herbs and fungi), but also with the rest of the environment, including humans. This is particularly relevant in the case of workers involved in the production, transportation, preparation and application of these toxicants. Accordingly, a growing body of evidence has demonstrated the correlation between occupational exposure to pesticides and the development of a wide spectrum of pathologies, ranging from eczema to neurological diseases and cancer. Pesticide exposure is often quite difficult to establish, as many currently used modules do not take into account all of the many variables that can occur in a diverse environment, such as the agricultural sector, and the assessment of the real risk for every single worker is problematic. Indeed, the use of personal protection equipment is necessary while handling these toxic compounds, but education of workers can be even more important: personal contamination with pesticides may occur even in apparently harmless situations. This review summarises the most recent findings describing the association between pesticide occupational exposure and the development of chronic diseases.

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A Method for Semi-quantitative Assessment of Exposure to Pesticides of Applicators and Re-entry Workers: An Application in Three Farming Systems in Ethiopia

Cited by 26 publications

References 22 publications

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

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

Neurobehavioural symptoms and acute pesticide poisoning: a cross-sectional study among male pesticide applicators selected from three commercial farming systems in Ethiopia

Occupational exposure to pesticides as a possible risk factor for the development of chronic diseases in humans

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