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

Abstract

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.

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

“…The significant decrease in the FEV1 detected in this study (73 mL) was lower than that in farm workers in Ethiopia exposed to a high pesticide density (140 mL) reported by Negatu et al [15]. Our results were in accordance to data from a study in Spain involving farm workers who sprayed pesticide over a short period of time.…”

“…In this study, alcohol consumption was shown to affect the respiratory system. Farm workers who consumed more than four glasses of alcohol per week were associated with a 4.6-times higher risk of developing respiratory disorder symptoms than those who never consumed alcohol (OR [95% CI]: 4.675 [1.395, 15.671]), consistent with the findings of Negatu et al [15] that a pesticide-exposed group with a history of alcohol consumption developed chronic cough (OR: 3.15; 95% CI: 1.56-6.36) and shortness of breath (OR: 6.67; 95% CI: 2.60-17.58) relative to a non-exposed group. However, the study patterns were different between the investigations.…”

“…Also, aging is associated with pulmonary function deterioration [21], [22]. Negatu et al [15] showed that patients with a history of alcohol consumption display higher levels of respiratory disorders than those who abstain from alcohol use. Work-related factors, such as lack of protective clothing, knowledge [23], direction while spraying pesticides, and safety measures against potential risks of pesticide exposure [24], can lead to higher risk of pesticide exposure [25] and alterations in AChE levels [26].…”

Job titles classified into socioeconomic and occupational groups identify subjects with increased risk for respiratory symptoms independent of occupational exposure to vapour, gas, dust, or fumes

“…Most studies in occupational epidemiology are based on specific workforces or exposure to specific agents [3,6,11–13]. In large population-based studies, occupational exposures are commonly assessed by using a job-exposure matrix (JEM) based on job title, or by using a single-item question of exposures to VGDF.…”

Occupational exposure to pesticides: time to nip it in the bud?

“…In Thorax , Negatu et al describe two cross-sectional studies exploring the effects of exposure to pesticides on lung health in commercial farming systems in Ethiopia 1. They found a markedly increased risk of chronic cough and shortness of breath and impaired ventilatory function in exposed versus unexposed groups.…”