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Hyland C, Hernandez A, Gaudreau É, Larose J, Bienvenu JF, Meierotto L, Som Castellano RL, Curl CL. Examination of urinary pesticide concentrations, protective behaviors, and risk perceptions among Latino and Latina farmworkers in Southwestern Idaho. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2024; 255:114275. [PMID: 37866282 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2023.114275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Studies have documented high levels of pesticide exposure among men farmworkers; however, few have examined exposures or the experiences of women farmworkers. Data gaps also exist regarding farmworkers' perceived risk and control related to pesticides, information that is critical to develop protective interventions. OBJECTIVE We aimed to compare urinary pesticide biomarker concentrations between Latino and Latina farmworkers and examine associations with occupational characteristics, risk perceptions, perceived control, and protective behaviors. METHODS We enrolled a convenience sample of 62 farmworkers (30 men and 32 women) during the pesticide spray season from April-July 2022 in southwestern Idaho. Participants were asked to complete two visits within a seven-day period; at each visit, we collected a urine sample and administered a questionnaire assessing demographic and occupational information. Urine samples were composited and analyzed for 17 biomarkers of herbicides and of organophosphate (OP) and pyrethroid insecticides. RESULTS Ten pesticide biomarkers (TCPy, MDA, PNP, 3-PBA, 4-F-3-PBA, cis- and trans-DCCA, 2,4-D, Glyphosate, AMPA) were detected in >80% of samples. Men and women had similar urinary biomarker concentrations (p = 0.19-0.94); however, women worked significantly fewer hours than men (p = 0.01), wore similar or greater levels of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and were slightly more likely to report having experienced an Acute Pesticide Poisoning (26% of women vs. 14% of men; p = 0.25). We observed inconsistencies in risk perceptions, perceived control, and protective behaviors among men. DISCUSSION Our study is one the first to examine pesticide exposure and risk perceptions among a cohort of farmworkers balanced on gender. Taken with previous findings, our results suggest that factors such as job tasks, biological susceptibility, or access to trainings and protective equipment might uniquely impact women farmworkers' exposure and/or vulnerability to pesticides. Women represent an increasing proportion of the agricultural workforce, and larger studies are needed to disentangle these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carly Hyland
- School of Public and Population Health, Boise State University, Boise, ID, USA; Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA; Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California, Berkeley, USA.
| | - Alejandra Hernandez
- School of Public and Population Health, Boise State University, Boise, ID, USA; Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Éric Gaudreau
- Centre de Toxicologie Du Québec (CTQ), Institut National de Santé Publique Du Québec, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Jessica Larose
- Centre de Toxicologie Du Québec (CTQ), Institut National de Santé Publique Du Québec, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Jean-François Bienvenu
- Centre de Toxicologie Du Québec (CTQ), Institut National de Santé Publique Du Québec, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Lisa Meierotto
- School of Public Service, Boise State University, Boise, ID, USA
| | | | - Cynthia L Curl
- School of Public and Population Health, Boise State University, Boise, ID, USA
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Mthethwa M, Jeebhay M, Olaniyan T, Wiesner L, Parker B, Leaner J, Röösli M, Dalvie MA. The Association Between Urinary Concentrations of Organophosphate Metabolites and Asthma-Related Outcomes Among Schoolchildren From Informal Settlements. Int J Public Health 2023; 68:1606174. [PMID: 37674664 PMCID: PMC10477361 DOI: 10.3389/ijph.2023.1606174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives: There is inconsistent evidence on the relationship between pesticide exposure and childhood respiratory outcomes in non-agricultural settings. This study investigated the association between organophosphate (OP) pesticide exposure and asthma-related outcomes in children residing in four informal settlements. Methods: The study was a longitudinal study of 590 schoolchildren, with a 12 months follow-up period. A standardised questionnaire adopted from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood was administered to caregivers for child's respiratory symptoms and household characteristics. Spirometry and fractional-exhaled nitric oxide, including a phadiatop test (atopy status) and urinary dialkyl phosphate (DAP) metabolites were measured at baseline and follow-up. DAP metabolites included diethylphosphate (DEP) and dimethyl phosphate (DMP) measured at baseline and follow-up and dimethylthiophosphate (DMTP) measured only at baseline. Results: The mean ages of schoolchildren were 9.9 ± 0.91 years and the overal incidence proportions of new doctor diagnosed asthma was 2.2%. No consistent patterns of increased risk of asthma outcomes with increasing DAP concentrations was found in multivariate analysis. Conclusion: Future studies with longer follow-up periods and repeated OP biomonitoring are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mashudu Mthethwa
- Centre for Environmental and Occupational Health Research, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Mohamed Jeebhay
- Centre for Environmental and Occupational Health Research, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Division of Occupational Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Toyib Olaniyan
- Centre for Environmental and Occupational Health Research, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Lubbe Wiesner
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Bhawoodien Parker
- Department of Environmental Affairs and Developmental Planning, Western Cape Government, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Joy Leaner
- Department of Environmental Affairs and Developmental Planning, Western Cape Government, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Martin Röösli
- Swiss Tropical Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Mohamed Aqiel Dalvie
- Centre for Environmental and Occupational Health Research, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Garshin A, Altynova N, Djangalina E, Khamdiyeva O, Baratzhanova G, Tolebaeva A, Zhaniyazov Z, Khussainova E, Cakir-Kiefer C, Jurjanz S, Delannoy M, Djansugurova L. Individual Risk Assessment for Population Living on the Territories Long-Term Polluted by Organochlorine Pesticides. TOXICS 2023; 11:482. [PMID: 37368581 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11060482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
The long-term storage of unutilized pesticides raised new problems of long-term environmental contamination. The study presents the results of surveying 151 individuals in 7 villages living close to pesticide-contaminated localities. All individuals have been surveyed concerning their consumption habits and lifestyle characteristics. An assessment of the general exposure risks of the local population was carried out using the analysis of pollutants in food products and the average levels of their consumption in the region. The cohort risk evaluation revealed that the greatest risk was associated with the regular consumption of cucumbers, pears, bell peppers, meat, and milk. The new model to estimate individual risks of long-term pesticide pollution was proposed as a calculation of the combined action of 9 risk factors, including individual genotypes, age, lifestyle, and personal pesticide consumption rates. The analysis of the predictive ability of this model showed that the final score for individual health risks corresponded to the development of chronic diseases. A high level of chromosomal aberrations was evidenced for individual genetic risk manifestations. The combined influence of all risk factors revealed contributions of 24.7% for health status and 14.2% for genetic status, while other impacts go to all unaccounted factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandr Garshin
- Institute of Genetics and Physiology, Al-Farabi Avenue, 93, Almaty 050060, Kazakhstan
- Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Al-Farabi Avenue, 71, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan
| | - Nazym Altynova
- Institute of Genetics and Physiology, Al-Farabi Avenue, 93, Almaty 050060, Kazakhstan
- Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Al-Farabi Avenue, 71, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan
| | - Erika Djangalina
- Institute of Genetics and Physiology, Al-Farabi Avenue, 93, Almaty 050060, Kazakhstan
| | - Ozada Khamdiyeva
- Institute of Genetics and Physiology, Al-Farabi Avenue, 93, Almaty 050060, Kazakhstan
| | - Gulminyam Baratzhanova
- Institute of Genetics and Physiology, Al-Farabi Avenue, 93, Almaty 050060, Kazakhstan
- Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Al-Farabi Avenue, 71, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan
- INRAE, URAFPA, Université de Lorraine, F-54000 Nancy, France
| | - Anar Tolebaeva
- Institute of Genetics and Physiology, Al-Farabi Avenue, 93, Almaty 050060, Kazakhstan
| | - Zhasulan Zhaniyazov
- Institute of Genetics and Physiology, Al-Farabi Avenue, 93, Almaty 050060, Kazakhstan
| | - Elmira Khussainova
- Institute of Genetics and Physiology, Al-Farabi Avenue, 93, Almaty 050060, Kazakhstan
| | | | - Stefan Jurjanz
- INRAE, URAFPA, Université de Lorraine, F-54000 Nancy, France
| | | | - Leyla Djansugurova
- Institute of Genetics and Physiology, Al-Farabi Avenue, 93, Almaty 050060, Kazakhstan
- Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Al-Farabi Avenue, 71, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan
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Sexsmith K, Palacios EE, Gorgo-Gourovitch M, Arredondo IA. Latino/a Farmworkers' Concerns about Safety and Health in the Pennsylvania Mushroom Industry. J Agromedicine 2022; 27:169-182. [PMID: 34098862 PMCID: PMC8671552 DOI: 10.1080/1059924x.2021.1935374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The purposes of this study were to analyze Latino/a immigrant mushroom workers' perceptions of how the workplace environment shapes occupational safety and health, examine whether and how those perceptions differ by gender, and identify future areas for research on occupational safety and health in the mushroom industry. Researchers conducted structured interviews with 15 women and 45 men on 6 Pennsylvania mushroom farms to obtain their descriptions and perspectives of safety and health risk factors in their workplaces. Approximately one third of respondents had suffered an injury at work, and nearly half felt that there are workplace factors that affect their health and safety. The study found that Latino/a mushroom farmworkers perceive risks that are posed by the indoor infrastructure of mushroom production houses, including poorly maintained wooden walkways and cool indoor temperatures, and by the organization of mushroom production work, including the application of chemicals including pesticides, physical demands of the job, use of small knives, contact with compost, and the piece rate payment system. Workers commonly discussed back pain and believed it was associated with the organization of work. Women in the sample were more likely to be concerned about slips and falls than men and less likely to be concerned about aches and pains. Mushroom farm infrastructure and the specific demands of the jobs pose occupational safety and health risks to Latino/a farmworkers that merit further study to develop adequate public health interventions. Future research should obtain gender-disaggregated objective reports of injury, aches and pains, and discomfort and test for relationships between these reports and the indoor infrastructure and conditions of mushroom production work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen Sexsmith
- Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education, The Pennsylvania State University, USA
| | - Effie E. Palacios
- Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education, The Pennsylvania State University, USA
| | | | - Ilse A.Huerta Arredondo
- Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education, The Pennsylvania State University, USA
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Lee SJ, Kyung M, Leung C, Hong O. Gender differences in experience and reporting of acute symptoms among cleaning staff. Am J Ind Med 2021; 64:528-539. [PMID: 33811668 PMCID: PMC8562058 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.23246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cleaning tasks pose risks of hazardous chemical exposure and adverse health effects for cleaning workers. We examined gender differences among cleaning staff in the experience of chemical-related symptoms and in reporting to supervisors. METHODS We analyzed cross-sectional reports from 171 university hospital or campus cleaning staff on chemical exposures to cleaning products, experience of acute symptoms, reporting of symptoms to supervisors, as well as demographic and psychosocial factors (risk perception, job demand/control, supervisor/co-worker support, and safety climate). Results were analized using multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for demographic, job, and psychosocial factors. Interactions of gender and psychosocial variables were also examined. RESULTS Men and women reported different frequencies for exposure-related tasks. Acute symptoms of chemical exposure were more prevalent in women compared with men (46.0% vs. 25.4%; adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 2.63; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.27-5.46). Women were more concerned about exposure to cleaning chemicals (p = 0.029) but reported symptoms to their supervisor less often than men (18.5% vs. 40.6%, adjusted OR = 0.28; 95% CI 0.09-0.93). More supervisor support was significantly associated with less frequent symptom experience among women (OR = 0.83; 95% CI 0.70-0.99). Asian workers and less educated workers were less likely than others to report symptoms to supervisors. Gender differences in symptom reporting to supervisors were not explained by psychosocial factors. CONCLUSIONS Women may have increased susceptibility or perception of symptoms from cleaning compared to men, but this may be mitigated by supervisor support. Female Asian workers with lower education may perceive more significant barriers in reporting work-related symptoms to supervisors. Further research is needed to explore factors related to underreporting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soo-Jeong Lee
- Department of Community Health Systems, School of Nursing, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Minjung Kyung
- Department of Community Health Systems, School of Nursing, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Cherry Leung
- Department of Community Health Systems, School of Nursing, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - OiSaeng Hong
- Department of Community Health Systems, School of Nursing, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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Curl CL, Meierotto L, Castellano RLS, Spivak MR, Kannan K. Measurement of urinary pesticide biomarkers among Latina farmworkers in southwestern Idaho. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2021; 31:538-548. [PMID: 33473152 PMCID: PMC8134048 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-020-00285-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Women who work in agriculture may have greater risk of pesticide exposure than men who share this occupation. Despite an increase in the fraction of the agricultural workforce comprised by women, few studies have characterized pesticide exposure in the USA with a focus on among these workers. OBJECTIVE This pilot study aimed to describe pesticide exposure in a cohort of Latina farmworkers in farming communities in southwestern Idaho. METHODS We collected urine samples from 29 Latina farmworkers, which were analyzed for 11 pesticide biomarkers. We evaluated the effect of pesticide spray season on urinary biomarker levels, and explored the effect of self-reported status as a pesticide handler on measured exposures. RESULTS No significant differences were found between biomarker levels in samples collected during the nonspray and spray seasons. We observed 11 extreme outlying values in samples collected during the pesticide spray season. The most extreme outlying values (MDA: 51.7 ng/mL; 3-PBA: 11.8 ng/mL; trans-DCCA: 23.4 ng/mL; and 2,4-D: 31.1 ng/mL) were all provided during the spray season by women who reported loading, mixing or applying pesticides. CONCLUSIONS These results provide suggestive evidence that Latina farmworkers who handle pesticides during the spray season may be at an increased risk of exposure to organophosphate and pyrethroid insecticides, as well as the herbicide 2,4-D. We recommend that future research into pesticide exposures among farmworkers should include particular focus on this group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia L Curl
- Department of Community and Environmental Health, Boise State University, Boise, ID, USA.
| | - Lisa Meierotto
- School of Public Service, Boise State University, Boise, ID, USA
| | | | - Meredith R Spivak
- Center for Excellence in Environmental Health and Safety, Boise State University, Boise, ID, USA
| | - Kurunthachalam Kannan
- Department of Pediatrics, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
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Curl CL, Meierotto L, Som Castellano RL. Understanding Challenges to Well-Being among Latina FarmWorkers in Rural Idaho Using in an Interdisciplinary, Mixed-Methods Approach. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 18:ijerph18010169. [PMID: 33383789 PMCID: PMC7795812 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18010169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to identify social, cultural and workplace-related risk factors affecting well-being among Latina farmworkers in rural Idaho. We recruited 70 Latina farmworkers from southwestern Idaho in 2019. We employed an inter-disciplinary, mixed-methods approach—including surveys, focus groups, interviews, and pesticide biomonitoring—to characterize multiple domains that influence well-being, including food security and access, housing conditions, social supports, access to medical care, and workplace safety. Six major themes emerged as primary challenges to Latina farmworkers’ well-being. In the public sphere, study participants identified these challenges as long working hours, concerns regarding pesticide exposure, and lack of enforcement of regulatory protections. Participants’ concerns regarding pesticide exposure were underscored by biological sampling results; multiple biomarkers of pesticide exposure were detected in all samples, with the highest concentrations measured in samples collected from women who reported mixing, loading or applying pesticides. Within the private sphere, food security and provisioning, childcare responsibilities, and social isolation were identified as significant challenges to well-being. Gender, ethnicity, and geography emerged as important, intersecting statuses that shaped the life experiences of these agricultural workers. Our findings suggest that gender may play a particularly critical role in the unique challenges facing Latina farmworkers. As a result, the services and regulations needed to support well-being in this population may be highly specific, and almost certainly include attention to work–family dynamics, pesticide exposure, and social connections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia L. Curl
- Department of Community and Environmental Health, College of Health Sciences, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Lisa Meierotto
- School of Public Service, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA;
| | - Rebecca L. Som Castellano
- Department of Sociology, College of Arts and Sciences, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA;
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Boedeker W, Watts M, Clausing P, Marquez E. The global distribution of acute unintentional pesticide poisoning: estimations based on a systematic review. BMC Public Health 2020; 20:1875. [PMID: 33287770 PMCID: PMC7720593 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-09939-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human poisoning by pesticides has long been seen as a severe public health problem. As early as 1990, a task force of the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that about one million unintentional pesticide poisonings occur annually, leading to approximately 20,000 deaths. Thirty years on there is no up-to-date picture of global pesticide poisoning despite an increase in global pesticide use. Our aim was to systematically review the prevalence of unintentional, acute pesticide poisoning (UAPP), and to estimate the annual global number of UAPP. METHODS We carried out a systematic review of the scientific literature published between 2006 and 2018, supplemented by mortality data from WHO. We extracted data from 157 publications and the WHO cause-of-death database, then performed country-wise synopses, and arrived at annual numbers of national UAPP. World-wide UAPP was estimated based on national figures and population data for regions defined by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). RESULTS In total 141 countries were covered, including 58 by the 157 articles and an additional 83 by data from the WHO Mortality Database. Approximately 740,000 annual cases of UAPP were reported by the extracted publications resulting from 7446 fatalities and 733,921 non-fatal cases. On this basis, we estimate that about 385 million cases of UAPP occur annually world-wide including around 11,000 fatalities. Based on a worldwide farming population of approximately 860 million this means that about 44% of farmers are poisoned by pesticides every year. The greatest estimated number of UAPP cases is in southern Asia, followed by south-eastern Asia and east Africa with regards to non-fatal UAPP. CONCLUSIONS Our study updates outdated figures on world-wide UAPP. Along with other estimates, robust evidence is presented that acute pesticide poisoning is an ongoing major global public health challenge. There is a need to recognize the high burden of non-fatal UAPP, particularly on farmers and farmworkers, and that the current focus solely on fatalities hampers international efforts in risk assessment and prevention of poisoning. Implementation of the international recommendations to phase out highly hazardous pesticides by the FAO Council could significantly reduce the burden of UAPP.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Meriel Watts
- PAN Asia Pacific, P.O. Box 1170, 10850, Penang, Malaysia
| | | | - Emily Marquez
- PAN North America, 2029 University Ave., Suite 200, Berkeley, CA, 94704, USA
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Gharibi H, Entwistle MR, Schweizer D, Tavallali P, Cisneros R. The association between 1,3-dichloropropene and asthma emergency department visits in California, USA from 2005 to 2011: a bidirectional-symmetric case crossover study. J Asthma 2019; 57:601-609. [PMID: 30938205 DOI: 10.1080/02770903.2019.1590596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Objective: The ever-increasing rate of pesticide use in California farmlands is of great concern due to its potential toxicity on human health. In this study, the association between short term exposure to 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D) and asthma emergency department (ED) visits in central and southern California from 2005 to 2011 is investigated.Methods: 3878 ED visits were identified from 2005 to 2011 (1064 days). Conditional logistic regression models were used to obtain the odds ratio (OR) associated with 0.01 ppb increase in 1,3-D. Potential effect modification by sex, race/ethnicity (Non-Hispanic White, Non-Hispanic Black, or Hispanic), and age (2-5, 6-18, 19-40, 41-64 or ≥ 65) are investigated.Results: It was found that a 0.01 ppb increase in 1,3-D at the event day is associated with 13.5% [OR = 1.135, 95% CI: 1.123, 1.149] increase in the odds of having asthma ED visits in central and southern California during October to February of 2005 to 2011. Race had a positive association between 1,3-D and asthma ED visits among Non-Hispanic Black [OR= 1.095 95% CI: 1.035, 1.155] and Hispanic [OR= 1.121 95% CI: 1.064, 1.179]; while Non-Hispanic Whites had no association. Positive association for age was found between 1,3-D and asthma ED visits among patients 2 to 5 [OR= 1.065 95% CI: 1.020, 1.133], 6 to 18 [OR= 1.142 95% CI: 1.086, 1.196], and 19 to 40 [OR= 1.023 95% CI: 1.015, 1.073] years old.Conclusion: These findings suggest a 0.01 ppb increase in 1,3-D concentration increases the odds of having asthma ED visits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamed Gharibi
- Health Sciences Research Institute, University of California, Merced, California, USA
| | - Marcela R Entwistle
- Health Sciences Research Institute, University of California, Merced, California, USA
| | - Donald Schweizer
- Health Sciences Research Institute, University of California, Merced, California, USA.,USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region, California, USA
| | - Pooya Tavallali
- Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of California, Merced, USA
| | - Ricardo Cisneros
- Health Sciences Research Institute, University of California, Merced, California, USA.,Public Health, University of California, Merced, California, USA
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10
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Trueblood AB, Shipp EM. Characteristics of acute occupational pesticide exposures reported to poison control centers in Texas, 2000-2015. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH 2018; 73:228-235. [PMID: 28605270 DOI: 10.1080/19338244.2017.1339011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2016] [Accepted: 06/01/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
In the United States, there is limited literature on occupational pesticide exposures despite being associated with adverse health outcomes, including in large states such as Texas. The purpose of this article is to characterize occupational pesticide poison center exposures in Texas. Descriptive statistics were used to describe exposures (eg, exposure routes, type of pesticide, medical outcome, clinical effects, and temporal/seasonal patterns). From 2000 to 2015, there were 2,303 occupational pesticide poison center exposures. Common types of reported pesticides were insecticides (67.3%), herbicides (17.7%), and repellents (5.8%). The highest proportion of exposures were among those aged 20 to 29 years (24.9%). The top clinical effect categories were gastrointestinal (25.8%), neurological (19.2%), and dermal (14.9%). Characterizing occupational pesticide poison center exposures can support improved surveillance systems and guide future research or interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber B Trueblood
- a Center for Transportation Safety , Texas A&M Transportation Institute , College Station , Texas , USA
| | - Eva M Shipp
- a Center for Transportation Safety , Texas A&M Transportation Institute , College Station , Texas , USA
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van der Plaat DA, de Jong K, de Vries M, van Diemen CC, Nedeljković I, Amin N, Kromhout H, Vermeulen R, Postma DS, van Duijn CM, Boezen HM, Vonk JM. Occupational exposure to pesticides is associated with differential DNA methylation. Occup Environ Med 2018; 75:427-435. [PMID: 29459480 PMCID: PMC5969365 DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2017-104787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2017] [Revised: 12/01/2017] [Accepted: 12/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Objectives Occupational pesticide exposure is associated with a wide range of diseases, including lung diseases, but it is largely unknown how pesticides influence airway disease pathogenesis. A potential mechanism might be through epigenetic mechanisms, like DNA methylation. Therefore, we assessed associations between occupational exposure to pesticides and genome-wide DNA methylation sites. Methods 1561 subjects of LifeLines were included with either no (n=1392), low (n=108) or high (n=61) exposure to any type of pesticides (estimated based on current or last held job). Blood DNA methylation levels were measured using Illumina 450K arrays. Associations between pesticide exposure and 420 938 methylation sites (CpGs) were assessed using robust linear regression adjusted for appropriate confounders. In addition, we performed genome-wide stratified and interaction analyses by gender, smoking and airway obstruction status, and assessed associations between gene expression and methylation for genome-wide significant CpGs (n=2802). Results In total for all analyses, high pesticide exposure was genome-wide significantly (false discovery rate P<0.05) associated with differential DNA methylation of 31 CpGs annotated to 29 genes. Twenty of these CpGs were found in subjects with airway obstruction. Several of the identified genes, for example, RYR1, ALLC, PTPRN2, LRRC3B, PAX2 and VTRNA2-1, are genes previously linked to either pesticide exposure or lung-related diseases. Seven out of 31 CpGs were associated with gene expression levels. Conclusions We show for the first time that occupational exposure to pesticides is genome-wide associated with differential DNA methylation. Further research should reveal whether this differential methylation plays a role in the airway disease pathogenesis induced by pesticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana A van der Plaat
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.,Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD (GRIAC), University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Kim de Jong
- Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD (GRIAC), University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Maaike de Vries
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.,Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD (GRIAC), University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Cleo C van Diemen
- Department of Genetics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ivana Nedeljković
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Najaf Amin
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hans Kromhout
- Division of Environmental Epidemiology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Roel Vermeulen
- Division of Environmental Epidemiology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Dirkje S Postma
- Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD (GRIAC), University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.,Department of Pulmonary Diseases, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelia M van Duijn
- Department of Genetics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - H Marike Boezen
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.,Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD (GRIAC), University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Judith M Vonk
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.,Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD (GRIAC), University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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12
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Prado JB, Mulay PR, Kasner EJ, Bojes HK, Calvert GM. Acute Pesticide-Related Illness Among Farmworkers: Barriers to Reporting to Public Health Authorities. J Agromedicine 2017; 22:395-405. [PMID: 28762882 DOI: 10.1080/1059924x.2017.1353936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/30/2022]
Abstract
Farmworkers are at high risk of acute occupational pesticide-related illness (AOPI) and AOPI surveillance is vital to preventing these illnesses. Data on such illnesses are collected and analyzed to identify high-risk groups, high-risk pesticides, and root causes. Interventions to address these risks and root causes include farmworker outreach, education, and regulation. Unfortunately, it is well known that AOPI is underreported, meaning that the true burden of this condition remains unknown. This article reviews the barriers to reporting of farmworker AOPI to public health authorities and provides some practical solutions. Information is presented using the social-ecological model spheres of influence. Factors that contribute to farmworker AOPI underreporting include fear of job loss or deportation, limited English proficiency (LEP), limited access to health care, lack of clinician recognition of AOPI, farmworker ineligibility for workers' compensation (WC) benefits in many states, insufficient resources to conduct AOPI surveillance, and constraints in coordinating AOPI investigations across state agencies. Solutions to address these barriers include: emphasizing that employers encourage farmworkers to report safety concerns; raising farmworker awareness of federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) and increasing the availability of these clinics; improving environmental toxicology training to health-care students and professionals; encouraging government agencies to investigate pesticide complaints and provide easy-to-read reports of investigation findings; fostering public health reporting from electronic medical records, poison control centers (PCCs), and WC; expanding and strengthening AOPI state-based surveillance programs; and developing interagency agreements to outline the roles and responsibilities of each state agency involved with pesticide safety.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Prakash R Mulay
- b Florida Department of Health , Tallahassee , Florida , USA
| | - Edward J Kasner
- c Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences , University of Washington School of Public Health , Seattle , Washington , USA
| | - Heidi K Bojes
- d Texas Department of State Health Services , Austin , Texas , USA
| | - Geoffrey M Calvert
- e Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies , National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Cincinnati , Ohio , USA
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13
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Hege A, Vallejos QM, Apostolopoulos Y, Lemke MK. Health disparities of Latino immigrant workers in the United States. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MIGRATION, HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE 2015. [DOI: 10.1108/ijmhsc-06-2014-0024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the literature pertaining to occupational health disparities experienced by Latino immigrant workers in the USA and to advance a general framework based on systems science to inform epidemiological and intervention research.
Design/methodology/approach
– Using papers and other sources from 2000 to the present, the authors examined the employment conditions and health outcomes of Latino immigrant workers and critically analyzed the pervasive evidence of health disparities, including causal mechanisms and associated intervention programs.
Findings
– The occupations, including the work environment and resultant living conditions, frequently performed by Latino immigrants in the USA represent a distinct trigger of increased injury risk and poor health outcomes. Extant intervention programs have had modest results at best and are in need of more comprehensive approaches to address the complex nature of health disparities.
Practical implications
– An integrated, systems-based framework concerning occupational health disparities among Latino immigrant workers allows for a holistic approach encompassing innovative methods and can inform high-leverage interventions including public policy.
Originality/value
– Reductionist approaches to health disparities have had significant limitations and miss the complete picture of the many influences. The framework the authors have provided elucidates a valuable method for reducing occupational health disparities among Latino immigrant workers as well as other populations.
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14
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Habib RR, Hojeij S, Elzein K. Gender in occupational health research of farmworkers: a systematic review. Am J Ind Med 2014; 57:1344-67. [PMID: 25227724 PMCID: PMC4257096 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.22375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/30/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Background Farmwork is one of the most hazardous occupations for men and women. Research suggests sex/gender shapes hazardous workplace exposures and outcomes for farmworkers. This paper reviews the occupational health literature on farmworkers, assessing how gender is treated and interpreted in exposure-outcome studies. Methods The paper evaluates peer-reviewed articles on men and women farmworkers' health published between 2000 and 2012 in PubMed or SCOPUS. Articles were identified and analyzed for approaches toward sampling, data analysis, and use of exposure indicators in relation to sex/gender. Results 18% of articles reported on and interpreted sex/gender differences in health outcomes and exposures. Sex/gender dynamics often shaped health outcomes, yet adequate data was not collected on established sex/gender risk factors relating to study outcomes. Conclusion Research can better incorporate sex/gender analysis into design, analytical and interpretive approaches to better explore its mediation of health outcomes in light of emerging calls to mainstream gender research. Am. J. Ind. Med. 57:1344–1367, 2014. © 2014 The Authors. American Journal of Industrial Medicine Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License, which permits use and distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rima R. Habib
- Faculty of Health SciencesAmerican University of BeirutP.O.Box: 11‐0236 Riad El Solh1107 2020BeirutLebanon
| | - Safa Hojeij
- Faculty of Health SciencesAmerican University of BeirutP.O.Box: 11‐0236 Riad El Solh1107 2020BeirutLebanon
| | - Kareem Elzein
- Faculty of Health SciencesAmerican University of BeirutP.O.Box: 11‐0236 Riad El Solh1107 2020BeirutLebanon
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15
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Lee SJ, Nam B, Harrison R, Hong O. Acute symptoms associated with chemical exposures and safe work practices among hospital and campus cleaning workers: a pilot study. Am J Ind Med 2014; 57:1216-26. [PMID: 25223949 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.22376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cleaning workers are regularly exposed to cleaning products containing hazardous chemicals. This study investigated acute symptoms associated with chemical exposures among cleaning workers and their safe work practices. METHODS This cross-sectional study included 183 cleaning workers employed in an academic medical center and affiliated health sciences campuses in Northern California. Data on respiratory, eye, skin, neurological, and gastrointestinal symptoms and occupational factors were collected by in-person interviews or self-administered questionnaires. RESULTS Chemical-related symptoms (several times monthly or more often) were more common among workers who performed patient area cleaning (44%) than hospital custodians (36%) or campus custodians (28%). After controlling for age, sex, and job title, symptoms were associated with exposure to carpet cleaners (OR = 2.98, 95% CI 1.28-6.92), spray products (OR = 2.82, 95% CI 1.16-6.82), solvents (OR = 2.71, 95% CI 1.20-6.15), and multi-purpose cleaners (OR = 2.58, 935% CI 1.13-6.92). Except for gloves, regular use of personal protective equipment was infrequent. CONCLUSIONS Study findings suggest a need for additional interventions such as use of less toxic products to reduce health risks among cleaning workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soo-Jeong Lee
- School of Nursing; University of California, San Francisco; San Francisco California
| | - Bora Nam
- School of Nursing; University of California, San Francisco; San Francisco California
| | - Robert Harrison
- School of Medicine; University of California, San Francisco; San Francisco California
| | - OiSaeng Hong
- School of Nursing; University of California, San Francisco; San Francisco California
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16
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Andersson E, Lundqvist P. Gendered Agricultural Space and Safety: Towards Embodied, Situated Knowledge. J Agromedicine 2014; 19:303-15. [DOI: 10.1080/1059924x.2014.916644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Abstract
Agricultural workers have a high risk of occupational injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. However, there are very few standardized tools available to assess safety and health in agricultural operations. Additionally, there are a number of groups of agricultural workers, including Hmong refugees and immigrants, for which virtually no information on safety and health conditions is available. This study developed an observation-based methodology for systematically evaluating occupational health and safety hazards in agriculture, and pilot-tested this on several small-scale Hmong farming operations. Each observation assessed of range of safety and health hazards (e.g., musculoskeletal hazards, dust and pollen, noise, and mechanical hazards), as well as on factors such as type of work area, presence of personal protective equipment, and weather conditions. Thirty-six observations were collected on nine farms. The most common hazards observed were bending at the back and lifting <50 pounds. Use of sharp tools without adequate guarding mechanisms, awkward postures, repetitive hand motions, and lifting >50 pounds were also common. The farming activities observed involved almost no power equipment, and no pesticide or chemical handling was observed. The use of personal protective equipment was uncommon. The results of this assessment agreed well with a parallel study of perceived safety and health hazards among Hmong agricultural workers. This study suggests that small-scale Hmong farming operations involve a variety of hazards, and that occupational health interventions may be warranted in this community. The study also demonstrates the utility of standardized assessment tools and mixed-method approaches to hazard evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- R L Neitzel
- a R. L. Neitzel is affiliated with the Department of Environmental Health Sciences and Risk Science Center , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , Michigan , USA
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18
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Quandt SA, Kucera KL, Haynes C, Klein BG, Langley R, Agnew M, Levin JL, Howard T, Nussbaum MA. Occupational health outcomes for workers in the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector: implications for immigrant workers in the southeastern US. Am J Ind Med 2013; 56:940-59. [PMID: 23450720 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.22170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Workers in the Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (AgFF) sector experience exposures directly related to the work itself, as well as the physical environment in which the work occurs. Health outcomes vary from immediate to delayed, and from acute to chronic. METHODS We reviewed existing literature on the health outcomes of work in the AgFF sector and identified areas where further research is needed to understand the impact of these exposures on immigrant Latino workers in the southeastern US. RESULTS Outcomes related to specific body systems (e.g., musculoskeletal, respiratory) as well as particular exposure sources (e.g., pesticides, noise) were reviewed. The most extensive evidence exists for agriculture, with a particular focus on chemical exposures. Little research in the southeastern US has examined health outcomes of exposures of immigrant workers in forestry or fisheries. CONCLUSION As the AgFF labor force includes a growing number of Latino immigrants, more research is needed to characterize a broad range of exposures and health outcomes experienced by this population, particularly in forestry and fisheries.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kristen L. Kucera
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine; Department of Community and Family Medicine; Duke University; Durham; North Carolina
| | - Courtney Haynes
- Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering; School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences; Virginia Tech; Blacksburg, Virginia
| | - Bradley G. Klein
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology; Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine; Virginia Tech; Blacksburg, Virginia
| | - Ricky Langley
- Division of Public Health; North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services; Raleigh; North Carolina
| | - Michael Agnew
- Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering; School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences; Virginia Tech; Blacksburg, Virginia
| | - Jeffrey L. Levin
- Department of Occupational Health Sciences; University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler; Tyler; Texas
| | | | - Maury A. Nussbaum
- Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering; School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences; Virginia Tech; Blacksburg, Virginia
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