Subjective Symptoms of Male Workers Linked to Occupational Pesticide Exposure on Coffee Plantations in the Jarabacoa Region, Dominican Republic

Abstract

Acute and sub-acute effects of pesticide use in coffee farmers have rarely been investigated. In the present field study, self-reported health symptoms from 38 male pesticide users were compared to those of 33 organic farmers. Results of cytological findings have been reported in an accompanying paper in this issue. The present second part of the study comprises a questionnaire based survey for various, potentially pesticide related symptoms among the coffee farmers. Symptom rates were generally higher in exposed workers, reaching significance in nine out of 19 assessed symptoms. Significantly increased symptom frequencies were related to neurotoxicity, parasympathic effects and acetylcholine esterase inhibition, with the highest differences found for excessive salivation, dizziness and stomach ache. We revealed a lack of precautionary measures in the majority of farmers. Better education, regulations, and safety equipment are urgently needed.

A Cross-Sectional Investigation of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Biomarkers among Conventional and Organic Farmers in Thailand

“…In the Dominican Republic, a study of pesticide-using vs. organic farmers found significantly higher rates of nuclear anomalies among the pesticide using farmers compared to non-exposed organic farmers, suggesting the pesticide farmers could be at higher risk for developing cancer [37]. In addition, pesticide-using farmers had significantly increased symptom frequencies related to symptoms of neurotoxicity, parasympathic effects, and acetylcholine esterase inhibition compared to organic farmers [38]. The biology of these effects are not known, but there is increasing evidence linking exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) with obesity and metabolic syndrome in animals, especially when exposures occur early in life [32].…”

More pesticides—less children?

“…In previous papers [8][9][10] increased frequencies of cellular abnormalities were demonstrated and symptoms of intoxication with recent exposure to pesticides were reported; however, a reduced number of children was observed in conventional farmworkers that could not be explained by recent exposures. In this study the aim was to investigate better ways to describe pesticide exposure that might be relevant for that endpoint.…”

“…In this study the aim was to investigate better ways to describe pesticide exposure that might be relevant for that endpoint. By repeatedly causing symptoms of intoxication [9] ongoing pesticide exposure could interfere with sexual behavior and thus reduce the number of children with increasing duration of exposure. Through endocrine disrupting effects that are likely most effective during earlier developmental stages, e.g.…”

“…In a previous report first results were presented [8][9][10] of the cross-sectional study in coffee plantation workers in the Dominican Republic (D.R.). In the study 38 workers in conventional agriculture with heavy exposure to pesticides were compared to 33 workers in organic farming with no pesticide use for at least 5 years.…”

“…Because the first wave of workers sought better paid jobs at organic farming, the following generation of workers was limited to applying for jobs in conventional farming with pesticide usage. (c) Exposure to pesticides leads to a range of healthrelated symptoms [9]. To avoid these detrimental effects, workers might tend to switch to organic farming jobs whenever they have the opportunity, causing a thinning out of the older ones in the exposed sector ("healthy worker" effect) [11,12].…”