Factors influencing the level of health risks from pesticide exposure among vegetable farmers
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
Thai farmers have been known to extensively use cholinesterase inhibitors, such as organophosphate and carbamate insecticides. This cross-sectional descriptive study examined the factors influencing the level of health risks from pesticide exposure among vegetable farmers. The data were gathered from 195 farmers using the Farmer’s Work Risk Assessment from the Pesticide Exposure form. The study found that over half of the farmers were in the lowest health risk category (65.64%). Some of the risk factors identified were low education level (OR = 0.42, 95% CI = 0.19–0.93, p-value = 0.033), consumption of vegetables possibly containing pesticide residue (OR = 2.88, 95% CI = 1.43–5.79, p-value = 0.003), 8–14 days monthly average use of pesticide (OR = 0.21, 95% CI = 0.07–0.69, p-value = 0.010), and the application of pesticides in agriculture for insect control (OR = 0.30, 95% CI = 0.10–0.87, p-value = 0.027). Therefore, to reduce the health risks associated with pesticide exposure, farmers must be educated and trained to safely use pesticides to continue promoting naturally occurring and ecologically friendly pesticides.
Downloads
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
References
Boonkhao, L., and Baukeaw, W. (2020). Prevalence of abnormal serum cholinesterase among the vegetable farmers in a district in Ubon Ratchathani province. Naresuan Phayao Journal, 13(3), 59–65. [in Thai]
Boonkhao, L., and Wongsafu, S. (2020). Health risk assessment of pesticide exposure among vegetable farmers in Khi Lek subdistrict, Muaeng district, Ubon Ratchathani province. Journal of Safety and Health, 13(2), 93–106. [in Thai]
Damalas, C. A., and Koutroubas, S. D. (2016). Farmers’ exposure to pesticides: Toxicity types and ways of prevention. Toxics, 4(1), 1.
Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health. (2020). Annual Epidemiological Surveillance Report 2020. [Online URL: https://apps-doe.moph.go.th/boeeng/download/AW_AESR_NCD_2563.pdf] accessed on March 8, 2022. [in Thai]
DeVon, H. A., Block, M. E., Moyle-Wright, P., Ernst, D. M., Hayden, S. J., Lazzara, D. J., Savoy, S. M., and Kostas-Polston, E. (2007). A psychometric toolbox for testing validity and reliability. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 39(2), 155–164.
Division of Occupational and Environmental Diseases, Department of Disease Control. (2015). Occupational Health Service Management Manual for Public Health Officers: Farmer Health Clinics, 3rd. [Online URL: http://odpc9.ddc.moph.go.th/DPC5/WorkManual1/p3.5-1.pdf] accessed on March 15, 2022. [in Thai]
Elgueta, S., Moyano, S., Sepúlveda, P., Quiroz, C., and Correa, A. (2017). Pesticide residues in leafy vegetables and human health risk assessment in North Central agricultural areas of Chile. Food Additives and Contaminants: Part B, Surveillance, 10(2), 105–112.
Fukuto, T. R. (1990). Mechanism of action of organophosphorus and carbamate insecticides. Environmental Health Perspectives, 87, 245–254.
Hobut, J., and Bopthong, M. (2018). Research into pesticide applications behavior and cholinesterase levels of staff in garden handling department of palm oil company; Krabi province. Krabi Medical Journal, 1(1), 23–34. [in Thai]
Jensen, H. K., Konradsen, F., Jørs, E., Petersen, J. H., and Dalsgaard, A. (2011). Pesticide use and self-reported symptoms of acute pesticide poisoning among aquatic farmers in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Journal of Toxicology, 2011, 639814.
Kangkhetkron, T., and Juntarawijit, C. (2021). Factors influencing practice of pesticide use and acute health symptoms among farmers in Nakhon Sawan, Thailand. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(16), 8803.
Kim, K. H., Kabir, E., and Jahan, S. A. (2017). Exposure to pesticides and the associated human health effects. Science of the Total Environment, 575, 525–535.
Kongtip, P., Nankongnab, N., Mahaboonpeeti, R., Bootsikeaw, S., Batsungnoen, K., Hanchenlaksh, C., Tipayamongkholgul, M., and Woskie, S. (2018). Differences among Thai agricultural workers’ health, working conditions, and pesticide use by farm type. Annals of Work Exposures and Health, 62(2), 167–181.
Mrema, E. J., Ngowi, A. V., Kishinhi, S. S., and Mamuya, S. H. (2017). Pesticide exposure and health problems among female horticulture workers in Tanzania. Environmental Health Insights, 11, 1178630217715237.
Nganchamung, T., Robson, M. G., and Siriwong, W. (2017). Association between blood cholinesterase activity, organophosphate pesticide residues on hands, and health effects among chili farmers in Ubon Ratchathani province, northeastern Thailand. Roczniki Panstwowego Zakladu Higieny, 68(2), 175–183.
Office of Agricultural Regulation. (2021). Report of the Pesticide Import in 2021. [Online URL: https://www.doa.go.th/ard/?page_id=386] accessed on July 8, 2022. [in Thai]
Petchuay, C. (2017). Application of agrochemicals in the lower Mekong Basin. Journal of Science and Technology, 19(1), 111–122. [in Thai]
Peter, J. V., Sudarsan, T. I., and Moran, J. L. (2014). Clinical features of organophosphate poisoning: A review of different classification systems and approaches. Indian Journal of Critical Care Medicine, 18(11), 735–745.
Thammasri, W. (2021). The impacts of health and environmental from agricultural chemicals of Thai farmers. King Mongkut's Agricultural Journal, 39(4), 329–336. [in Thai]
Tudi, M., Li, H., Li, H., Wang, L., Lyu, J., Yang, L., Tong, S., Yu, Q. J., Ruan, H. D., Atabila, A., Phung, D. T., Sadler, R., and Connell, D. (2022). Exposure routes and health risks associated with pesticide application. Toxics, 10(6), 335.
Wannasiri, T. (2018). Experiences in chemical using of farmers in pomelo garden of Nakhon Pathom province. VRU Research and Development Journal Humanities and Social Science, 13(1), 199–209. [in Thai]
Whitmore, C., Lindsay, C. D., Bird, M., Gore, S. J., Rice, H., Williams, R. L., Timperley, C. M., and Green, A. C. (2020). Assessment of false transmitters as treatments for nerve agent poisoning. Toxicology Letters, 321, 21–31.