Dust and noise exposures among farmers in Southland,New Zealand

Abstract

This was a cross-sectional survey of the health of farmers in Southland, New Zealand and in a sub-sample, included daily noise and inhalable dust exposure measurements, and a walk through assessment of farm buildings. The median inhalable dust level for arable farmers was 1.7 mg/m3 with 0.7 mg/m3 for sheep farmers (NZ standard 10 mg/m3). Total daily noise exposure levels were 86.8 dB(A) for sheep farmers, and 85.7 dB(A) for mixed farmers (NZ standard 85 dB[A]). A higher proportion of farmers had low ratings for chemical safety and dust levels in farm buildings compared with other parameters, such as stockhandling or machinery safety. Noise remains an important hazard for NZ farmers, although dust less so, based on inhalable levels. Reducing noise at source is required, as well as greater use of hearing protection. Inhalable dust levels were low due to the nature of farming in NZ where outdoor pastoral farming is the norm.