Riassunto

Objective: To compare workplace characteristics, workplace behaviors, and the health beliefs of female farmworkers of childbearing age with actual biomarkers of exposure to organophosphate pesticides and to the fungicide mancozeb.

Methods: Hispanic and Haitian farmworkers between the ages of 18 and 40 years working in nursery or fernery operations were recruited to participate in a cross-sectional survey, examining demographics, work practices, work-related hygiene, and pesticide exposure beliefs. Single-void (spot) urine samples were analyzed for organophosphate and ethylenethiourea metabolites.

Results: Women in nurseries worried less frequently about the effects of pesticides on their health than those in fernery operations. In summary, organophosphate and ethylenethiourea levels in nursery workers were significantly higher than levels in fernery workers and the control group.

Conclusions: Results showed that perceived pesticide exposure did not correspond to actual metabolite levels within differing agricultural subpopulations.

Keywords

biomarkers, farmworkers, pesticide, risk perception, workplace characteristics

Articoli correlati che potrebbero interessarti

Arcury Thomas A., Summers Phillip, Talton Jennifer W., Chen Haiying, Sandberg Joanne C., Spears Johnson Chaya R., Quandt Sara A.

Heat Illness Among North Carolina Latino Farmworkers

Journal of Occupational and Environmetal Medicine. Vol. 57, Iss. 12, December 2015

Catherine Tomicic, David Vernez

Sex Differences in Urinary Levels of Several Biological Indicators of Exposure: A Simulation Study Using a Compartmental-Based Toxicokinetic Model

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene. Vol. 11, Iss. 6, June 2014

Naomi L. Hudson, Edward J. Kasner, John Beckman, Louise Mehler, Abby Schwartz, Sheila Higgins, Joanne Bonnar-Prado, Michelle Lackovic, Prakash Mulay, Yvette Mitchell, Leo Larios, Rob Walker, Justin Waltz, Stephanie Moraga-McHaley, Rachel Roisman, Geoffrey M. Calvert

Investigation of respiratory and dermal symptoms associated with metal working fluids at an aircraft engine manufacturing facility

American Journal of Industrial Medicine. Vol. 57, Iss. 1, January 2014