The agricultural health study: Factors affecting completion and return of self-administered questionnaires in a large prospective cohort study of pesticide applicators

Tarone, Robert E.; Alavanja, Michael C.R.; Zahm, Shelia Hoar; Lubin, Jay H.; Sandler, Dale P.; McMaster, S.B.; Rothman, Nathaniel; Blair, Aaron

doi:10.1002/(sici)1097-0274(199702)31:2<233::aid-ajim13>3.0.co;2-2

Cited by 86 publications

(62 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…The characteristics of farmers who completed only the enrollment questionnaire were quite similar to those of farmers who also completed and returned the take-home questionnaire. 38 Family history of colorectal cancer among first-degree relatives, use of aspirin, alcohol intake and dietary factors such as fruit, vegetable or meat consumption were not associated with colorectal cancer risk.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pesticide use and colorectal cancer risk in the agricultural health study

Lee

Sandler

Blair

et al. 2007

Intl Journal of Cancer

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121

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We investigated the relationship between agricultural pesticides and colorectal cancer incidence in the Agricultural Health Study. A total of 56,813 pesticide applicators with no prior history of colorectal cancer were included in this analysis. Detailed pesticide exposure and other information were obtained from self-administered questionnaires completed at the time of enrollment (1993)(1994)(1995)(1996)(1997). Cancer incidence was determined through populationbased cancer registries from enrollment through December 31, 2002. A total of 305 incident colorectal cancers (212 colon, 93 rectum) were diagnosed during the study period, 1993-2002. Although most of the 50 pesticides studied were not associated with colorectal cancer risk, chlorpyrifos use showed significant exposure response trend (p for trend 5 0.008) for rectal cancer, rising to a 2.7-fold (95% confidence interval: 1.2-6.4) increased risk in the highest exposure category. Aldicarb was associated with a significantly increased risk of colon cancer (p for trend 5 0.001), based on a small number of exposed cases, with the highest exposure category resulting in a 4.1-fold increased risk (95% confidence interval: 1.3-12.8). In contrast, dichlorophenoxyacetic acid showed a significant inverse association with colon cancer but the association was not monotonic. Our findings should be interpreted cautiously since the literature suggesting that pesticides are related to colorectal cancer is limited. Nonetheless the possibility of an association between exposure to certain pesticides and incidence of colorectal cancer among pesticide applicators deserves further evaluation. ' 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pesticide use and colorectal cancer risk in the agricultural health study

Lee

Sandler

Blair

et al. 2007

Intl Journal of Cancer

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121

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“…While over 52,000 farmers completed the enrollment questionnaires, only 44% of these farmers completed the take -home questionnaire. However, a previous analysis revealed that the farmers who completed the take -home questionnaire were, for most characteristics, similar to those who completed only the enrollment questionnaire (Tarone et al, 1997 ). Another limitation is that the AHS cohort was established to investigate potential effects among pesticide applicators and, therefore, the statistics on use of pesticides and other activities presented here may not necessarily represent the total population of farmers in these two states.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Prevalence of exposure to solvents, metals, grain dust, and other hazards among farmers in the Agricultural Health Study

Coble

Hoppin

Engel

et al. 2002

J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol

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Exposures to multiple chemical, physical, and biological agents in agricultural work environments can result in confounding that may obscure or distort risks observed in epidemiologic studies. The Agricultural Health Study ( AHS ) is a large epidemiology study being conducted to investigate health risks among pesticide applicators and their families. During enrollment in the AHS, questionnaires were administered to over 52,000 licensed pesticide applicators from North Carolina and Iowa, who were mostly farmers. Questions about the frequency of various farming tasks were used to estimate the prevalence of exposure to solvents ( 25% ), metals ( 68% ), grain dusts ( 65% ), diesel exhaust fumes ( 93% ), and other hazards, including exposure to pesticides. Most of the farmers in the AHS reported performing routine maintenance tasks at least once a month, such as painting ( 63% ), welding ( 64% ), and repair of pesticide equipment ( 58% ). The majority of farmers ( 74% in North Carolina; 59% in Iowa ) reported holding nonfarm jobs, of which the most frequent were construction and transportation. The majority of the farmers enrolled in the AHS ( 55% ) also reported that they mixed or applied pesticides on 10 or more days per year. The associations between the use of pesticides and the frequency with which the farmers in the AHS reported performing various types of specific farming activities were assessed to evaluate potential confounding. Confounding risk ratios calculated for these activities suggest that the magnitude of bias due to confounding is likely to be minimal.

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“…However, a low response rate is not unusual in studies conducted in rural areas. 36 In addition, despite a lower response rate for postal questionnaires compared with interviews, Morgaine et al 37 reported that the 2 methods produced similar health data. Therefore, even with a low response rate the respondents' health data are assumed to be similar to that not collected from nonrespondents.…”

Section: Commentmentioning

confidence: 88%

Health Survey of Residents Living Near Farm Fields Permitted to Receive Biosolids

Khuder

Milz

Bisesi

et al. 2007

Archives of Environmental & Occupational Health

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The authors studied the health status of residents living in Wood County, OH, near farm fields that were permitted to receive biosolids. They mailed a health survey to 607 households and received completed surveys from 437 people exposed to biosolids (living on or within 1 mile of the fields where application was permitted) and from 176 people not exposed to biosolids (living more than 1 mile from the fields where application was permitted). The authors allowed for up to 6 surveys per household. Results revealed that some reported health-related symptoms were statistically significantly elevated among the exposed residents, including excessive secretion of tears, abdominal bloating, jaundice, skin ulcer, dehydration, weight loss, and general weakness. The frequency of reported occurrence of bronchitis, upper respiratory infection, and giardiasis were also statistically significantly elevated. The findings suggest an increased risk for certain respiratory, gastrointestinal, and other diseases among residents living near farm fields on which the use of biosolids was permitted. However, further studies are needed to address the limitations cited in this study.

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The agricultural health study: Factors affecting completion and return of self-administered questionnaires in a large prospective cohort study of pesticide applicators

Cited by 86 publications

References 31 publications

Pesticide use and colorectal cancer risk in the agricultural health study

Pesticide use and colorectal cancer risk in the agricultural health study

Prevalence of exposure to solvents, metals, grain dust, and other hazards among farmers in the Agricultural Health Study

Health Survey of Residents Living Near Farm Fields Permitted to Receive Biosolids

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