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Surveillance data show that pesticide-related illness is an important
cause of acute morbidity among migrant farm workers in California. A
few categories (organophosphates and carbamates, inorganic compounds,
and pyrethroids) account for over half of the cases of acute illness.
Skin effects dominate the illnesses, although ocular and systemic
effects are also common. Exposures occur in various ways (e.g.,
residues, drift), suggesting that the use of pesticides creates a
hazardous work environment for all farm workers. The health care
system provided through the Migrant Health Program appears to be
underutilized, partially due to barriers to health care access.
Pesticide hazards should be ranked based on acute toxicity, chronic
toxicity (including reproductive risks), carcinogenic potency, volume
applied, and magnitude of worker poisonings. Current surveillance
effort should be supported. Risk prevention should focus on
substitution of safer compounds, establishing effective protections,
and ensuring that these measures are enforced. Improved education for
health care providers should be a priority. Growers should be educated
about alternative forms of pest control and incentives should be
provided to encourage their use.
Das R, Steege A, Baron S, Beckman J, Harrison R. Pesticide-related illness among migrant farm workers in the United States. Int J Occup Environ Health 2001;7:303-312.
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