Pesticide exposure in a farming village in Venezuela--a developing country

Estimates of acute pesticide poisoning in agricultural workers in less developed countries

The benefits of crop protection products have to be balanced against the risks to farmers and other agricultural workers handling and applying them. The extent of acute pesticide poisoning in these workers, particularly in less developed countries, has often been based on inadequate information. A number of approaches have been taken by researchers to acquire information on pesticide poisoning. These have resulted in worldwide (global) estimates and regional, localised or field assessments. The methods include descriptive epidemiology, cross-sectional and case studies. Attempts to estimate global pesticide poisonings have often been based upon extrapolations and assumptions from chemical-related fatalities in a small number of countries; such estimates do not provide reliable data. Epidemiological studies, relying mainly on hospital and poison centre data, have been biased towards the more severe poisonings, whereas field studies indicate that occupational pesticide poisoning is associated with less severe and minor effects. Many reports do not adequately distinguish between intentional, accidental and occupational pesticide poisoning statistics or are dominated by cases of intentional (suicidal) poisoning which, by their nature, result in severe or fatal results. The majority of reports do not adequately describe whether individual cases are minor, moderate or severe poisonings. In order to assess information on acute pesticide poisoning in agricultural workers in less developed countries and to draw conclusions on the extent and severity of occupational poisoning, the most recent (post-1990) literature was reviewed. Data were also derived from the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Labour Office (ILO). The collected information was analysed to assess the extent and severity of occupational acute pesticide poisoning in less developed countries. Occupational acute pesticide poisonings in these countries are a small proportion of overall reported poisoning and are associated with the more minor effects of pesticides. They are a small proportion (<1-4%) of the several million cases of occupational injuries and ill health in agricultural workers worldwide. However, improvements are required for the collection of acute pesticide poisoning data in less developed countries and in the verification of the circumstances of poisonings and their relative severity. There is the need to move away from further attempts to estimate global data and concentrate instead on obtaining reliable data from realistic crop protection activities.

Pesticide use among greenhouse workers in Turkey

Pesticides are chemicals use of which has increased worldwide since the Second World War in order to improve the quality and the quantity of agricultural products. Their harmful effects on the environment and the human health have also been seen as usage increases. Although there have been studies about the harmful effects of pesticides on human health in the developing countries, there is limited data about the use of pesticides in Turkey. The aim of our study was to obtain data about the use of pesticides in greenhouse in Turkey. About 131 greenhouse workers were interviewed with within the province of Izmir: 63.8% graduated from primary school; 49.2% were living in region where the greenhouses were located; 46.2% were working in their own greenhouses; 42.3% had health insurance; 86.9% used pesticides and 59.3% did not take protective cautions during use pesticide. The application technique, location, amount, time or any other required information of the pesticides used have not been recorded by the greenhouse workers.

Pesticide Use among Farmers in the Amazon Basin of Ecuador

Pesticide use is one of the most significant occupational exposures for agricultural workers in the Amazon basin of Ecuador. A structured questionnaire was developed focusing on sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge and experience of adverse health effects related to pesticide use, details of work practices, and an inventory of pesticides used on the farm. Of the 112 farmers interviewed, 111 (99.1%) used pesticides. Paraquat was most commonly used (77.4%), followed by glyphosate (65.7%). Respondents had good knowledge about the acute health effects of pesticides and their exposure routes. Risk behaviors were identified as frequent pesticide use, washing pesticide equipment in water sources used by humans, inadequate disposal of empty pesticide containers, eating and drinking during pesticide application, and using inadequate protective clothing. Training and educational campaigns on pesticide use should be encouraged for this cohort, along with suggestions for alternative methods of pest control.

Child health implications of worldwide urbanization

The upsurge of urbanization, often poorly planned and uncontrolled, has caused major impacts on human societies for at least two centuries. Urban environments and urbanized lifestyles have strong influences on health and well-being, including on infant and childhood populations in developed and underdeveloped countries, as well as among societies in developmental and environmental transition around the world. Urbanization will inevitably have significant impacts on the health of future generations. Notably, the health consequences of urbanized lifestyles are not confined to residents of cities and large towns but rather are becoming manifest in rapidly changing, previously traditional societies in rural and remote areas because globalization is altering infant feeding practices and the dietary habits and lifestyle patterns of their children. In underdeveloped countries, overcrowding and environmental pollution are huge problems that are exacerbated by undernutrition and infection, particularly respiratory and diarrheal diseases. In developed societies, other problems like injuries; poisonings; violence; drug abuse; exposure to chemical, biological, industrial, and atmospheric pollutants, including pesticides; sexually transmissible diseases; and 'lifestyle' diseases, including obesity and cardiovascular disease risk, are of great current and potential importance.