Pesticide Safety Training Research Articles

Mixed-Methods Assessment of Farmworkers’ Perceptions of Workplace Compliance with Worker Protection Standards and Implications for Risk Perceptions and Protective Behaviors

ABSTRACT Introduction The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Worker Protection Standards is the primary set of legislation aimed at protecting farmworkers from occupational pesticide exposure in the United States. Previous studies suggest that worker adoption of Pesticide Protective Behaviors (PPBs) promoted by WPS is associated with lower urinary pesticide concentrations. However, adoption of PPBs is often outside of the control of individual farmworkers and dependent on workplace factors such as employer provisioning of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and access to trainings/resources. Methods We conducted a mixed-method study including urinary pesticide biomonitoring, surveys, and interviews with 62 Latinx farmworkers in southwestern Idaho from April to July 2022. We integrated findings across the various data sources to identify emergent themes relating to farmworkers’ perceptions of workplace compliance with WPS and potential implications for their pesticide risk perceptions, protective behaviors, and urinary pesticide concentrations. Results Participants reported some indications of poor workplace compliance with WPS regulations, notably inconsistent access to clean handwashing stations and notification of pesticide applications. Some farmworkers, particularly pesticide applicators, viewed herbicides to be categorically safer than other classes of pesticides such as insecticides; these perceptions appeared to influence protective behaviors, such as the relatively low use of PPE while applying herbicides. These findings are underscored by the higher concentrations of biomarkers of herbicides, but not insecticides, among pesticide applicators compared with non-applicators (e.g. median 2,4-D concentrations = 1.40 µg/L among applicators and 0.69 µg/L among non-applicators). Participants further reported concerns regarding the inadequacy of pesticide safety training, pesticide drift, and the lack of communication regarding pesticide applications on and near fields where they are working. Discussion Participants’ perceptions that herbicides are categorically safer than other pesticide classes is in direct conflict with WPS training, raising concerns about discrepancies between WPS instruction and other on-the-job training, as well as the inadequate provisioning of PPE during the application of certain pesticides. Our findings also suggest that current WPS regulations may not sufficiently address farmworkers’ concerns, particularly in regard to pesticide drift.

Pesticide Application as a Risk Factor/Behaviour for Workers’ Health: A Systematic Review

The main objective of this review was to determine the main risks that agricultural workers are exposed to during pesticide application, which may have a harmful effect on their health and on public health. This systematic review was based on the PRISMA guidelines. A search for articles was conducted in the Medline/PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science databases. Fifteen articles were selected considering their assessment of agricultural workers’ knowledge, perceptions, attitudes, practices, and behaviours, identifying the main risks and risk factors for disease associated with the unsafe handling of pesticides. The main risk factors identified were age, education, pesticide safety training, farming experience, and contact with other farmers/intermediaries resulting in pesticide access. The most frequent risk behaviour was an application of pesticides without personal protective equipment (PPE), incorrect disposal of empty packaging and waste, and undervaluation of label information, as well as other unsafe practices. Multidisciplinary and more effective training must be delivered to enhance pesticide-safe usage. This will empower workers to adopt more conscious and safer behaviours while using pesticides.

Factors associated with personal protective equipment use among pesticide handlers in Mwea irrigation Scheme, Kenya

Background: Pesticide use among small scale rice farmers has drastically increased over time globally. Evidence shows that majority of pesticide handlers do not regard PPE use during pesticide application, hence low PPE compliance. Methods: This study explored factors associated with PPE use among pesticide handlers in Mwea Irrigation Scheme, Kenya. The study was cross-sectional involving 246 respondents. Results: There was low level of PPE use among pesticide handlers with none using full PPE and only 25.2% using 4-6 PPE items out of 7 possible items. The most used PPE were trousers (74.4%), long-sleeved shirt/jacket (65.9%) and hat (60.6%). The least worn PPE were gumboots (1.6%), gloves (2.8%) and goggles (9.8%). Chi- square tests of independence revealed that sex, age, crop ownership, pesticide safety training, pesticide application experience, pesticide safety knowledge, attitude towards PPE use, perceived environmental health risk and Perceived PPE importance were significantly associated with PPE use. However, level of education, land tenure status and size of the farm were found not to have any association with PPE use. Conclusions: The results provide insights for future interventions and inform focus areas by health and safety enforcement agencies and policy developers. More training on pesticide safety and PPE use will enhance compliance and promote pesticide handlers’ health.

Assessment on knowledge and perception regarding health risks of pesticide usage among farmers

<span lang="EN-US">Globally, pesticides are essential substances that have significant importance in increasing food production and pest management. Although, the serious concern about the health risk of pesticide toxicity should be investigated. The aim of the study is to assess the knowledge and perception of health risks of pesticide usage among farmers. This online-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among farmers in Namakkal district, Tamil Nadu, India. A validated questionnaire was prepared, assessing the sociodemographic and analyzing the level of awareness, perception of pesticide usage among farmers. There were 412 farmers participated, in which 98.5% use pesticides and among them, 72.4% of farmers do not use personal protective equipment (PPE) on pesticide application. Hence, 68% are not aware of the harmful effects of pesticides even though 94.5% experienced health related problems while using them. Therefore, 95.4% of farmers think it is necessary to create awareness about safe handling practices and health risks regarding the usage of pesticides. Our study revealed that farmers do not have adequate knowledge about safe pesticide handling and are not aware of pesticide toxicity levels along with the risk associated with the degree of toxicity which is essential for implementing strategies regarding pesticide safety education and training.</span>

Perception on environmental concern of pesticide use in relation to Framers’ knowledge

Chemical pesticides are indiscriminately used for pest management and vector control. However, many farming communities are unaware of the dangers associated with the chemicals. This study assessed vegetable farmers' perception of the environmental impact of pesticide use in Bangladesh concerning the farmers’ knowledge and type. The farmers' socioeconomic characteristics and their relationship to some of the study variables, their attitude towards pesticides' environmental consequences, and their level of pesticide related knowledge were investigated. In this study, 882 farmers from nine districts participated through in-depth interviews and observations on-farm. The majority of farmers were males aged between 30 and 40 (32.44% in winter and 32.87% in summer). Moreover, 29.77% of the winter vegetable growers can sign their name only, but for the summer season’s 31.02% were educated up to high school. For the winter season, the highest 74.44% of respondents belonged to focal farmers who believed pesticides could be hazardous to their health. Only 1.68% of control farmers agreed pesticide use could lead to secondary pest resurgence. For the summer season, farmers were most concerned (60.19%) about the health risks to farm-workers, while secondary pest resurgence was the least concerned. In general, the focal farmers had a high level of knowledge and concern about pesticide hazards compared to the proximal and control farmers. Comprehensive intervention measures are required to mitigate pesticide-related health and environmental risks, including pesticide safety training programs for farmers, which could promote sustainable agricultural development while minimizing the environmental and health risks of pesticide misuse.
 Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 13(1&2): 94-99, 2020

ORGANOPHOSPHATE EXPOSURE, ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS AND EXPOSURE RISK ASSESSMENT AMONG VEGETABLE FARMERS IN SABAH, MALAYSIA

Uncontrolled use of pesticides in agriculture may result in increased health risks. Organophosphate (OP) pesticides are widely used among vegetable farmers to control pests and increase productivity. The aim is to determine the organophosphate exposure, associated risk factors, and exposure risk assessment among vegetable farmers in Sabah. A cross-sectional study design in Kundasang, Sabah, Malaysia. We took a blood sample from participants for blood cholinesterase concentration measurements of pesticide exposure using the rapid test kit model Lovibond AF267. A validated questionnaire was used to collect the associated risk factors of vegetable farmers. The Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment, Risk Control (HIRARC) guidelines were used for exposure risk assessment of OP exposure. The response rate was 91.1%. About 23.3% (38 out of 163) have abnormal blood cholinesterase. The significant associated risk factors were age [aOR=1.07, 95%CI (1.02,1.13)], Body Mass Index [aOR=8.60, 95%CI (2.80,26.51)], frequency of exposure a month [aOR=5.99, 95%CI (1.29,27.76)], had not attended pesticide safety training [aOR=9.08, 95%CI (2.97,27.74)], no designated pesticide storage [aOR=6.92, 95%CI (1.70,28.25)] and low practices scores on pesticide handling [aOR=6.01, 95%CI (1.97,18.36)]. The exposure risk assessment level for vegetable farmers was at low-medium risk. Organophosphate exposure among the vegetable farmers in Kundasang was higher than in other settings. The risk factors associated with organophosphate exposure were related to inadequate compliance to the standard occupational safety and health practices in agriculture. Exposure assessment revealed the opportunity for improvement by implementing the recommended control measures. Vegetable farmers need continuous support from relevant authorities. Further research is required to understand better the health risks among vegetable smallholder farmers in Sabah.

Exploring Pesticide Safety Education in Idaho

This paper summarizes an exploratory study probing perspectives of pesticide applicators and educators regarding pesticide licensing and safety training in Idaho. The purpose of the study was to identify lines of inquiry concerning critical learning components for pesticide worker safety. Information was gathered about training practices for pesticide applicators. Adult learning theory provided a foundation for a priori themes combined with grounded theory to explore emergent concepts and categories. Four categories relevant to pesticide applicator safety training emerged from the literature review and interviews: knowledge and learning, worker practices, worker beliefs and attitudes, and the work environment. Understanding why workers take risks is central to developing effective safety training. Providing workers with access to research-based information may reduce risk. Narrative may play an important part in developing educational curriculum. There is a need to develop additional safety education programming that is designed for this specific audience.

Pesticide Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Among Small-Scale Hmong Farmers in the San Joaquin Valley of California

Abstract A survey was conducted to assess the pesticide knowledge, attitudes, and practices of small-scale Hmong farmers in the Fresno area of the San Joaquin Valley of California. Hmong farmers in this region were found to cultivate 35 crops, most of which were Asian specialty crops with economic significance. The majority of farmers used pesticides on their farms, primarily to control diseases and insects. Long beans and sweet peas were perceived to require more pesticides than other crops. Participants were aware of pesticide-related health risks, yet 71% had no formal education. Most participants used proper personal protection equipment (PPE) and followed safe application practices, yet 84% reported that they wear work clothing from the farm into their home, which could contribute to the take home pesticide exposure pathway. Seventy-five percent of participants were not familiar with the concept of integrated pest management (IPM) as a formal pest management practice; however, many participants were using some components of IPM such as crop rotation. Nearly all participants (96%) requested more pesticide safety training be made available in Hmong. This study contributes to the understanding of potential pesticide exposure and health risks of Hmong farmers in the San Joaquin Valley of California, and the need for additional pest management training for the community.

Pesticide Knowledge and Safety Practices among Farm Workers in Kuwait: Results of a Survey.

The unsafe and indiscriminate use of pesticides in agriculture represents a major hazard to the environment and human health. The aim of this study was to assess the levels of knowledge, attitude and practices of Kuwaiti farmers regarding the safe use of pesticides. A total of 250 farmers participated in this study through in-depth interviews and observations on-farm. The majority of the farmers acknowledged that pesticides were harmful to their health (71%) and the environment (65%). However, farmers’ level of knowledge of pesticide safety is insufficient. Over 70% of the farmers did not read or follow pesticide label instructions, and 58% did not use any personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling pesticides. Educated farmers were significantly more likely to use PPE compared with famers with limited formal education (χ2 = 9.89, p < 0.05). Storage of pesticides within living areas was reported by 20% of farmers. When disposing of pesticide wastes, respondents adopted unsafe practices such as discarding, incinerating, or burying empty pesticide containers on-farm, or reusing the containers. Farmers also reported disposing leftover pesticide solution or old pesticide stocks on-farm or in the sewer. A significant number (82%) of the farmers reported at least one symptom of acute pesticide poisoning. Although farmers’ knowledge of pesticide hazards was high, the reported safety measures were poor. Comprehensive intervention measures to reduce the health and environmental risks of pesticides are needed, including pesticide safety training programs for farmers, stringent enforcement of pesticide laws, and promoting integrated pest management and non-synthetic methods of pest control.

Organophosphate pesticides exposure among farmworkers: pathways and risk of adverse health effects.

Organophosphate (OP) compounds are the most widely used pesticides with more than 100 OP compounds in use around the world. The high-intensity use of OP pesticides contributes to morbidity and mortality in farmworkers and their families through acute or chronic pesticides-related illnesses. Many factors contributing to adverse health effects have been investigated by researchers to determine pathways of OP-pesticide exposure among farmers in developed and developing countries. Factors like wind/agricultural pesticide drift, mixing and spraying pesticides, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), knowledge, perceptions, washing hands, taking a shower, wearing contaminated clothes, eating, drinking, smoking, and hot weather are common in both groups of countries. Factors including low socioeconomic status areas, workplace conditions, duration of exposure, pesticide safety training, frequency of applying pesticides, spraying against the wind, and reuse of pesticide containers for storage are specific contributors in developing countries, whereas housing conditions, social contextual factors, and mechanical equipment were specific pathways in developed countries. This paper compares existing research in environmental and behavioural exposure modifying factors and biological monitoring between developing and developed countries. The main objective of this review is to explore the current depth of understanding of exposure pathways and factors increasing the risk of exposure potentially leading to adverse health effects specific to each group of countries.

Oregon Indigenous Farmworkers

To examine changes in health beliefs, pesticide safety knowledge, and biomarkers of pesticide exposure in indigenous farmworkers who received enhanced pesticide safety training compared with those receiving the standard training. Farmworkers in Oregon were randomly assigned to either a promotors pesticide safety training program or a standard video-based training. Spot urine samples were analyzed for dialkyl phosphate urinary metabolites. Pre-/postintervention questionnaires were used to measure pesticide safety knowledge, health beliefs, and work practices. Baseline to follow-up improvements in total pesticide knowledge scores were higher in the promotor group than in the standard video group. Pairwise differences in mean concentrations of dialkyl phosphate metabolite levels showed declines from baseline to follow-up for both intervention groups. Results showed reductions in pesticide exposure in indigenous-language speaking farmworkers who received enhanced pesticide safety training.

Effectiveness of Pesticide Safety Training and Knowledge About Pesticide Exposure Among Hispanic Farmworkers

Pesticide poisoning rates remain high among farmworkers despite programs aimed at reducing pesticide exposure. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 187 Hispanic farmworkers in North Carolina. Farmworkers were interviewed to determine the association between pesticide safety training and knowledge about pesticides and use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Use of PPE was higher among farmworkers who reported wearing gloves reduced the harmful effects of pesticides (adjusted odds ratio, 5.73; 95% confidence interval, 2.20-14.92) and those who received pesticide safety training at the extension office or growers association (adjusted odds ratio, 44.62; 95% confidence interval, 3.96-503.33). Some farmworkers are still not using PPE. Evaluation of Environmental Protection Agency Worker Protection Standards pesticide safety training and requirements for providing PPE are crucial to encourage farm workers to use PPE.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Lay Health Promoter-Led, Community-Based Participatory Pesticide Safety Intervention With Farmworker Families

Pesticide safety training is mandated for migrant and seasonal farmworkers. However, none is required for family members, who implement home sanitation to protect against pesticide exposure and need to control pests in substandard housing. Controlled studies have demonstrated the efficacy of pesticide education programs for farmworker families, but no carefully evaluated demonstration projects have shown effectiveness in public health settings. This project evaluates a lay health promoter program to improve pesticide-related knowledge and practices. Promotoras from six agencies recruited families with children to deliver a six-lesson, in-home, culturally and educationally appropriate curriculum. Independently conducted pre- and posttests evaluated changes in knowledge and practices. Adults in 610 families completed the study. Most were from Mexico, with low levels of formal education. Significant improvements in knowledge were observed for all six lessons. Significant improvements were observed in practices related to para-occupational exposure and residential pest control. Lay health promoters with limited training and supervision can have significant impacts on families' knowledge and practices. They represent a workforce increasingly recognized as a force for reducing health disparities by providing culturally appropriate health education and other services. This study adds to the literature by demonstrating their effectiveness in a public health setting with rigorous evaluation.

Work-related pesticide poisoning among farmers in two villages of Southern China: a cross-sectional survey

BackgroundPesticide poisoning is an important health problem among Chinese farm workers, but there is a paucity of pesticide poisoning data from China. Using the WHO standard case definition of a possible acute pesticide poisoning, we investigated the prevalence and risk factors of acute work-related pesticide poisoning among farmers in Southern China.MethodsA stratified sample of 910 pesticide applicators from two villages in southern China participated in face-to-face interviews. Respondents who self-reported having two or more of a list of sixty-six symptoms within 24 hours after pesticide application were categorized as having suffered acute pesticide poisoning. The association between the composite behavioral risk score and pesticide poisoning were assessed in a multivariate logistic model.ResultsA total of 80 (8.8%) pesticide applicators reported an acute work-related pesticide poisoning. The most frequent symptoms among applicators were dermal (11.6%) and nervous system (10.7%) symptoms. Poisoning was more common among women, farmers in poor areas, and applicators without safety training (all p < 0.001). After controlling for gender, age, education, geographic area and the behavioral risk score, farmers without safety training had an adjusted odds ratio of 3.22 (95% CI: 1.86-5.60). The likelihood of acute pesticide poisoning was also significantly associated with number of exposure risk behaviors. A significant "dose-response" relationship between composite behavioral risk scores calculated from 9 pesticides exposure risk behaviors and the log odds of pesticide poisoning prevalence was seen among these Chinese farmers (R2 = 0.9246).ConclusionsThis study found that 8.8% of Chinese pesticide applicators suffered acute pesticide poisoning and suggests that pesticide safety training, safe application methods, and precautionary behavioral measures could be effective in reducing the risk of pesticide poisoning.

Hazardous materials on golf courses: experience and knowledge of golf course superintendents and grounds maintenance workers from seven states.

The golf course industry has a growing Latino work force. Little occupational health research has addressed this work force. This article examines golf course superintendents' and Latino grounds maintenance workers' pesticide knowledge, beliefs, and safety training. In particular, it focuses on knowledge of and adherence to OSHA Right-to-Know regulations. In person, in-depth interviews were conducted with 10 golf course superintendents in five states and with 16 Latino grounds maintenance workers in four states. Few superintendents were in compliance with Right-to-Know regulations or did pesticide safety training with all of their workers. Few workers had any pesticide safety knowledge. Most safety training on golf courses was rudimentary and focused on machine safety, and was usually conducted in the off-season or on rainy days, not before workers were assigned tasks. More Right-to-Know training is necessary for superintendents and grounds maintenance workers. Culturally and linguistically appropriate Spanish language materials need to be developed or made more widely available to train workers. Better enforcement of safety and training regulations is necessary.

Pesticide safety training and practices in women working in small-scale agriculture in South Africa

ObjectivesUnregulated use of pesticides continues in developing countries in the presence of illiteracy and limited safety training and practices. This paper describes training and safety practices when mixing and spraying...

Pesticide Exposure and Occupational Safety Training of Indigenous Farmworkers in Oregon

This follow-up study assessed indigenous and Latino farmworkers' occupational health and safety needs and measured variables related to pesticide exposure and pesticide safety training among this population. Results yielded differences between indigenous workers and Latino workers related to language barriers, experiences of workplace discrimination, preferred modes of information dissemination, pesticide exposures, and sufficiency of pesticide training. Employing more people who speak indigenous languages as interpreters, community and organizational leaders, and health workers may remove some of the linguistic and cultural barriers to occupational safety training.

Migrant Farmworker Field and Camp Safety and Sanitation in Eastern North Carolina

ABSTRACT Migrant farmworkers are exposed to numerous workplace hazards, with pesticides being a ubiquitous occupational exposure. This analysis describes farmworker experiences of field and camp safety conditions and their safety behaviors, and delineates farmworker characteristics associated with safety conditions and behaviors. Data were collected from 255 migrant farmworkers up to 4 times at monthly intervals during the 2007 agricultural season in eastern North Carolina. Measures assess field safety conditions and camp sanitation required by federal and state regulations. Most of the farmworkers were Latino men from Mexico. About 20% had not received pesticide safety training across the season; many of those who received such training did not understand it. Water for washing was not available for about one-third of the workers; soap and towels were not available for over half. About 20% lived in camps with more than eight workers per showerhead and about 20% lived in camps that failed to meet the standard of 30 or fewer workers per washtub/washing machine. Important predictors of variation included H2A visa status and years of experience. Four themes emerged from the analysis: (1) safety regulations are not consistently met; (2) farmworkers do not always practice safety behaviors; (3) camps become more crowded and less compliant during the middle of the agricultural season; and (4) workers with H2A visas experience better conditions and practice more safety behaviors than do workers who do not have H2A visas. Further research needs to account for social and cultural factors. Regulations should be compared with pesticide metabolite levels to measure their effectiveness. More effort is needed to enforce existing regulations.

Using surveillance data to promote occupational health and safety policies and practice at the state level: A case study

Following the investigation of a birth defects cluster involving migrant farmworkers employed in North Carolina and Florida, it became clear that greater efforts were needed to protect agricultural workers from pesticide exposure. Documentation is drawn from peer-reviewed published articles, government reports and news accounts. The birth defects cluster was identified and investigated by state and federal pesticide poisoning surveillance system staff. Following the investigation, efforts were initiated to highlight pesticides as an important public health issue needing more attention. A series of subsequent events led to the creation and passage of important legislation recently enacted in North Carolina. The legislation resulted in funding to promote various activities to prevent harm from pesticides including strengthening surveillance, improving the quality of pesticide compliance inspections, and increasing and improving pesticide safety training. The legislation also broadened the coverage of anti-retaliation rules to include agricultural workers, and increased recordkeeping requirements pertaining to pesticide applications. The important and positive impacts that can occur through surveillance activities are highlighted. As such, it is important to continue to support and improve occupational illness and injury surveillance programs.

Pesticide Risk Communication, Risk Perception, and Self-Protective Behaviors Among Farmworkers in California's Salinas Valley

Agricultural pesticide use is the highest of any industry, yet there is little research evaluating farmworkers' understandings of the health risks chemical exposure poses. This study examines pesticide education, risk perception, and self-protective behaviors among farmworkers in California's Salinas Valley. Fifty current and former farmworkers were interviewed for this research. Despite several potential barriers to risk communication (e.g., language differences and nonuniform methods of pesticide safety training), the respondents understood many of the potential health consequences of exposure while holding elevated levels of risk perception relative to the general public. They received information on the health effects of pesticide exposure from both grower-based training and personal social networks; however, the respondents continued to participate in unnecessarily risky behaviors.