Tobacco Farm Workers Research Articles

Outdoor Temperature and Dermal Nicotine Exposure in Green Tobacco Farmworkers

Outdoor Temperature and Dermal Nicotine Exposure in Green Tobacco Farmworkers

Assessing the Implementation of Social Security Program for Tobacco Farmers in Jember Regency

This research delves into the implementation of social security programs, particularly focusing on tobacco farm workers in Jember regency, Indonesia. Despite the mandatory nature of the BPJS Ketenagakerjaan, many tobacco farm laborers remain uncovered, posing risks to their social and economic well-being. Utilizing a quantitative research methodology, the study employs questionnaires and statistical analysis to understand the factors influencing participation in the BPJS Employment program. Findings reveal that variables such as Program Urgency, Farmers' Knowledge, Program Benefits, Farmers' Expectations, and the Role of Local Government collectively explain 67.5% of tobacco farmers' participation. Notably, Program Urgency and Program Benefits significantly impact participation, highlighting the vital role of social security in providing financial assurance against job-related risks. Moreover, active involvement of the Local Government is essential in fostering farmers' interest and engagement in the program. These findings underscore the significance of social security programs for tobacco farm workers, emphasizing the need for government support and facilitation to enhance program participation and ensure the welfare of vulnerable laborers.

Assessments of occupational health hazards of tobacco farmworkers in Andhra Pradesh, India

Assessments of occupational health hazards of tobacco farmworkers in Andhra Pradesh, India

Faktor Risiko Kejadian Green Tobacco Sickness (GTS) pada Buruh Tani Tembakau: Literature Review

Abstract
 Background: Background: Green Tobacco Sickness (GTS) is a form of nicotine poisoning caused by direct contact between the skin of tobacco farm workers and wet tobacco plants during the planting and harvesting process. This study aims to analyze the risk factors for the incidence of GTS in tobacco farmers. Method: The method used was a literature review. Articles were obtained from the online database Scopus, PubMed, ProQuest, Google Scholar, and Garuda Portal published during 2010-2020. The selected article used an observational study design and discussed the risk factors for the incidence of GTS in tobacco farmers. The assessment of the quality of the articles used guidelines from the Joanna Briggs Institute. Based on the article search, twelve articles were consisting of three articles from national journals and nine articles from international journals. Article analysis was carried out by comparing the percentage of significant variables in the entire article. This study resulted in the most dominant risk factor for GTS is the use of personal protective equipment with a percentage of 50% of the total articles.

Neck pain among tobacco farm workers in Southern Brazil

This study aims to assess neck pain prevalence and associated factors among tobacco farm workers. This is a cross-sectional study of 2,469 tobacco farm workers in southern Brazil. An adapted version of the Nordic Questionnaire of Musculoskeletal Symptoms was used to characterize neck pain. Multivariate analysis was performed using Poisson regression, following a hierarchical theoretical model. Neck pain prevalence in the last year among the population studied was 7.4%. Worker age, tobacco smoking, tobacco bundling, use of heavy chainsaws, working at an intense or accelerated pace and green tobacco sickness were variables associated with neck pain in females. Among males, age, use of heavy chainsaws, working in a sitting position on the ground, pesticide poisoning, and green tobacco sickness were associated with the outcome. The study reinforces the importance of ergonomic and physiological workloads in the determination of neck pain. Future studies are needed to understand the role of pesticides and nicotine exposures on musculoskeletal problems. The mechanization of tobacco harvesting could reduce ergonomic and chemical exposure, thereby improving farmers' health.

Exposure of tobacco farm working mothers to pesticides and the effects on the infants’ auditory health

ABSTRACT Objective: to check and compare female farm workers’ and female tobacco farm workers’ behavior related to the use of pesticides after the pregnancy diagnosis and their effect on the infants’ hearing. Methods: a cross-sectional analytical observational study developed with 59 female farming mothers. From these, 25 were tobacco farm workers (Group F) and 34 were farm workers for other crops (Group A - control). The results of the hearing screening of 59 infants, from both groups, were verified. The anamnesis to raise the risk factor indicators for hearing disabilities as well as the caption of Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions (OAEs) was accomplished. Results: tobacco farming is directly related to the use of pesticides (p=0.0043); laundry of clothes worn to apply the pesticides is an indirect means of exposure/ contamination by pesticides and/or chemical substances (p=0.018); the association between pass/fail results and Hearing Disabilities Risk Indicators (HDRI) of infants in both groups (tobacco farm workers and other workers) did not show significant statistical differences. Conclusion: effects on the hearing health of infants of female tobacco farm workers and other farm workers exposed to pesticides were not found in this research. Further studies on this theme are suggested.

The impacts of pesticide and nicotine exposures on functional brain networks in Latino immigrant workers

Latino immigrants that work on farms experience chronic exposures to potential neurotoxicants, such as pesticides, as part of their work. For tobacco farmworkers there is the additional risk of exposure to moderate to high doses of nicotine. Pesticide and nicotine exposures have been associated with neurological changes in the brain. Long-term exposure to cholinesterase-inhibiting pesticides, such as organophosphates and carbamates, and nicotine place this vulnerable population at risk for developing neurological dysfunction. In this study we examined whole-brain connectivity patterns and brain network properties of Latino immigrant workers. Comparisons were made between farmworkers and non-farmworkers using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data and a mixed-effects modeling framework. We also evaluated how measures of pesticide and nicotine exposures contributed to the findings. Our results indicate that despite having the same functional connectivity density and strength, brain networks in farmworkers had more clustered and modular structures when compared to non-farmworkers. Our findings suggest increased functional specificity and decreased functional integration in farmworkers when compared to non-farmworkers. Cholinesterase activity was associated with population differences in community structure and the strength of brain network functional connections. Urinary cotinine, a marker of nicotine exposure, was associated with the differences in network community structure. Brain network differences between farmworkers and non-farmworkers, as well as pesticide and nicotine exposure effects on brain functional connections in this study, may illuminate underlying mechanisms that cause neurological implications in later life.

Brain Anatomy in Latino Farmworkers Exposed to Pesticides and Nicotine.

Migrant tobacco farmworkers experience regular occupational exposure to pesticides and nicotine. The present study was designed to determine whether there are differences in brain anatomy between Latino farmworkers and non-farmworkers. Magnetic resonance brain images were compared between farmworkers and non-farmworkers. In addition, blood cholinesterase activity and urinary cotinine levels were also used to identify associations with pesticide and nicotine exposure. Farmworkers had greater gray matter signal in putamen and cerebellum, and lower gray matter signal in frontal and temporal lobes. Urinary cotinine was associated with the observed differences in brain anatomy, but blood cholinesterase activity was not. Nicotine exposure was associated with neuroanatomical differences between Latino farmworkers and non-farmworkers. Future studies are needed to differentiate iron deposition from brain atrophy and to further assess the potential role of nicotine and pesticide exposure.

Urinary Cotinine Levels Among Latino Tobacco Farmworkers in North Carolina Compared to Latinos Not Employed in Agriculture.

This analysis describes urinary cotinine levels of North Carolina Latino farmworkers, compares cotinine levels of farmworkers to those of Latinos non-farmworkers, determines factors associated with farmworker cotinine levels, and determines if differences in farmworker and non-farmworker cotinine levels are associated with smoking. Data are from 63 farmworkers and 44 non-farmworkers who participated in a larger study of occupational exposures. Questionnaire data and urine samples collected in 2012 and 2013 are analyzed. Farmworkers had urinary cotinine levels that were far greater than the non-farmworker group. Geometric mean (GM) urinary cotinine levels for farmworkers were 1808.22ng/ml in 2012, and 396.03ng/ml in 2013; corresponding GM levels for non-farmworkers were 4.68ng/ml and 9.03ng/ml. Farmworker GM cotinine levels were associated with harvesting tobacco (1242.77ng/ml vs. 471.26ng/ml; P = .0048), and working in wet shoes (1356.41ng/ml vs. 596.93ng/ml; P = .0148). Smoking did not account for cotinine level differences; the GM cotinine level for farmworkers who did not smoke was 541.31ng/ml; it was 199.40ng/ml for non-farmworkers who did smoke. North Carolina farmworkers experience large nicotine doses. The long-term health effects of these doses are not known. Although procedures to reduce occupational nicotine exposure are known, no changes in work practices or in policies to protect workers have been implemented. Research on the health effects of occupational nicotine exposure must become a priority. Current knowledge of occupational transdermal nicotine exposure must be used to improve occupational safety practice and policy for tobacco workers. This study documents the heavy burden of nicotine exposure and dose experienced by tobacco workers in North Carolina. Hundreds of thousands of farmworkers and farmers in the United States and Canada, as well as agricultural workers around the world, share this burden of nicotine exposure and dose. These results support the need to change work practices and regulations to protect workers. They also document the need to delineate the health effects of long-term exposure to high transdermal nicotine doses.

Wheezing in tobacco farm workers in southern Brazil.

Tobacco workers are exposed to several respiratory occupational sensitizers. A representative cross-sectional study was carried out on 2469 tobacco family farming growers. Gender-stratified multivariate analyses evaluated the association between wheezing and socio-demographic, behavioral, and occupational variables. Wheezing prevalence was 11.0% with no difference between genders. Among men, age, smoking, strenuous work, pesticide use, contact with vegetable dust and dried tobacco dust, lifting sticks with tobacco leaves to the curing barns, and green tobacco sickness (GTS) were risk factors for wheezing. Among women, family history of asthma, tying hands of tobacco, strenuous work, contact with chemical disinfectants, and GTS were positively associated with wheezing. Harvesting lower tobacco leaves was a protective factor for the outcome in both genders. Pesticides, dusts exposure, and GTS were risk factors for wheezing. The synergic effect of these factors needs to be better evaluated to improve prevention.

Intestinal parasitic infections among prison inmates and tobacco farm workers in Shewa Robit, north-central Ethiopia.

BackgroundIntestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) particularly soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) and schistosomiasis are among neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) globally. Apart from being associated with anemia, malabsorption and retarded cognitive development these diseases are complicating the clinical picture of more serious infections like HIV, TB and malaria. Renewed and up-to-date information on the epidemiology of IPIs in more vulnerable groups such as irrigated-farm workers and prisoners would significantly contribute towards improving the health condition of such at-risk groups.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of IPIs among prison inmates and tobacco farm workers in Shewa-Robit, north-central Ethiopia in November 2008. A total of 236 fecal samples were examined microscopically to detect helminths and/or protozoa using direct-smear and formol-ether concentration methods.ResultsOverall, 8 intestinal parasite species have been recovered singly or in combinations from 146 (61.8 %) samples. The prevalence in prison population (88/121 = 72.7%) was significantly higher than that in tobacco farm (58/115 = 50.4%). There were no significant differences in the prevalence of IPI by most socio-demographics. Except for hookworm there was no significant difference in parasite prevalence between different age-groups though the frequency of individual parasites slightly varied between the age-groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that inmates were more likely to acquire IPIs than tobacco-farm workers (Odds Ratio (OR) = 2.62, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.52–4.5). In addition, participants who did not report past treatment for IPIs were more likely to acquire IPIs than participants who self-reported treatment for IPIs in the past twelve months (OR = 3.25, 95% CI = 1.75–6.06). All other socio-demographics were not significantly associated with IPIs in univariate analysis. Entamoeba histolytica/dispar/moshkovskii was the most frequently encountered species in both study sites accounting for 48.8 and 51.7 percent of the positives in prison and tobacco farm population respectively. Other intestinal parasites detected, with slight variation in prevalence in the two study areas, were hookworm, Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Schistosoma mansoni, Strongyloides stercolaris, Hymenolepis nana and Taenia sp. 35.5 and 33.0 percent of the total positive cases were mixed infections in Shewa Robit prison and tobacco farm, respectively.ConclusionThe results show that IPIs are common health problems in the studied populations.

Social responsibility in tobacco production? Tobacco companies' use of green supply chains to obscure the real costs of tobacco farming

BackgroundTobacco companies have come under increased criticism because of environmental and labour practices related to growing tobacco in developing countries.MethodsAnalysis of tobacco industry documents, industry websites and interviews with tobacco...

IMMIGRANTS FLEEING A DYING INDUSTRY: APPLYING RAPID ETHNOGRAPHIC ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES TO THE STUDY OF TOBACCO FARMWORKERS

Recent assaults on the tobacco industry have led to a decline in tobacco production across North Carolina, the largest tobacco producing state in the nation. Although a great deal of attention has been focused on tobacco farmers, considerably less work has been aimed at determining the effects of these changes on tobacco farmworkers, many of whom are Latinos. In this article, I discuss Rapid Ethnographic Assessment Procedures used to estimate the impact of changes in the tobacco industry on tobacco farmworkers. I find that the tobacco farm labor force is highly complex and that the effects of the economic downturns have had fewer effects on Latino farmworkers than on tobacco farm owners, in part because of the Latinization of the rural South.

Contact dermatitis in tobacco farmworkers

Occupational skin disease is highly prevalent among agricultural workers. Tobacco cultivation and harvest are particularly hazardous for farmworkers. We report 5 migrant Latino farmworkers in North Carolina with contact dermatitis related to tobacco work. These cases show a characteristic distribution of contact dermatitis; the flexural and medial surfaces of the upper extremities were affected in each case, whereas most cases showed some involvement of the torso and axilla. This pattern most likely reflects a common occupational practice of holding the tobacco leaves under the arm and pressed against the body during harvesting.

Health risks in tobacco farm workers—a review of the literature

To systematically describe and summarize the specific occupational health impact of tobacco farm working. Qualitative systematic review applying a standardized electronic literature search strategy (MEDLINE, TOXNET, EMBASE, AGRICOLA, Science Citation Index; until January 2007) and hand search within eligible articles. Double assessment of eligibility and study results. Inclusion of all studies on specific work-related health risks of tobacco farm workers, e.g. risk factors for and frequency of green tobacco sickness (GTS) and other specific health risks, as well as intervention studies. We identified 31 relevant publications. Concerning GTS substantial heterogeneity was observed in terms of the case definition and frequency of disease occurrence. Seasonal prevalence ranged between 8 and 89%. Incidence was reported to be 1.9 cases per 100 person days. In the two studies included on primary prevention of GTS hand washing and the use of protective clothes were effective. Studies conducted on cancer as well as on urticaria and contact eczema in tobacco harvesters are scarce. Health problems due to transdermal nicotine absorption are frequent among tobacco harvesters. GTS as well as chronic health effects in this population need to be further investigated. The toxicity to the cardiovascular system and carcinogenicity of chronic dermal nicotine exposure are likely to exist as non-smoking tobacco harvesters show similar cotinine and nicotine levels compared to active smokers in the general population. Effective intervention strategies addressing the specific needs of the tobacco harvesters in different regions around the world must be developed, evaluated and further improved. It is important to educate tobacco farm workers, farmers and health care providers on GTS and other health risks.

Exposición a pesticidas y altas temperaturas. Su influencia negativa en la fertilidad masculina

Background Scientists have a great concern for a possible decrease in semen quality in the world. Environmental factors are considered to be the main cause of this phenomenon. We searched the effect of the exposure to pesticides, solvent and heat on seminal characteristic and the concentrations of reproductive hormones in the serum. Method A longitudinal retrospective research was carried out. We studied 534 male partners from infertile couples between 2000 and 2005 in Pinar del Río province. Patients were divided in four groups: non-exposed, expose to pesticides, solvent and heat. Results The χ 2 test showed a significant association between the exposure to pesticides and alterations in morphology, motility and concentrations of sperm cells. The odds ratio (OR) demonstrated an increased risk of having abnormal semen characteristic in patients exposed to pesticides. These patients had higher FSH values than the non-exposed group according to the ttest. These findings were remarkable in tobaccofarm workers. In heat exposed group there was an increased risk of having morphological abnormalities in sperm analysis. We did not find and increased risk of poor sperm characteristic in the solvent- exposed group. Conclusions Exposure to pesticides and heat for long time periods should be considered a risk factor of male infertility.

Indústria de tabaco e cidadania: confronto entre redes organizacionais

O artigo aborda a história da indústria de tabaco no Brasil e da formação de sua rede estratégica, bem como da rede dos atores sociais que a contrapõem. Na primeira parte, apresenta-se uma correlação entre a história da produção industrial, do consumo de tabaco e do antitabagismo. Na segunda parte são apresentados os conceitos de rede estratégica e de rede multifragmentária (antifumo), propostos para facilitar a compreensão de alguns dos múltiplos aspectos conflitivos entre as duas redes. A pesquisa de campo envolveu entrevistas com empresários, fumicultores, sindicalistas, técnicos de empresas fumageiras, técnicos do setor saúde, líderes de ONGs e outros atores sociais. Os resultados sugerem que há um crescimento simultâneo e contraditório das redes, com larga vantagem para a rede estratégica das empresas de tabaco, e um conjunto de dilemas no interior da rede multifragmentária.

Cotinine Levels and Green Tobacco Sickness Among Shade Tobacco Workersx

Study Objective: Symptoms consistent with Green Tobacco Sickness (GTS) were found in 4% (13/331) to 15% (45/303) of the migrant, mostly Latino, Shade tobacco workers who sought medical care at a Connecticut clinic. The objective of this study was to determine whether or not Shade tobacco farm workers absorb nicotine from the tobacco leaves and have a corresponding increase in both salivary cotinine levels (a breakdown product of nicotine) and symptoms consistent with GTS. Methods: The study utilized a prospective cohort design to evaluate salivary cotinine and symptoms consistent with GTS in a population of Shade tobacco farm workers compared to a control group of nursery workers. The workers were assessed at two points in time, the early tobacco planting season and the harvest season. Results: There was not a significant increase in salivary cotinine levels among Shade tobacco workers. Salivary cotinine levels over the work season did not significantly increase in Shade tobacco workers when compared with nursery workers. During the harvest season, none of the tobacco workers reported symptoms consistent with GTS. Conclusions: Migrant workers in Connecticut who harvest Shade tobacco appear to have a low risk of occupational nicotine dermal absorption and a low incidence of GTS. The work practices associated with harvesting Shade tobacco, in addition to the fact that Shade tobacco may actually have a lower level of nicotine than either burley or flue cured tobacco, may explain these results. Our study appears to reinforce the GTS prevention recommendations made by investigators in other tobacco growing regions, specifically the importance of minimizing close skin contact with tobacco leaves and avoiding dermal contact with the plants when they are wet.

Shade tobacco and green tobacco sickness in Connecticut.

The prevalence of Green Tobacco Sickness (GTS) among shade tobacco farmworkers in Connecticut is unknown. We conducted a study to determine the prevalence of GTS in farmworkers working in shade tobacco fields who presented for clinical care at medical student-run clinics. A retrospective chart review of the tobacco workers seen at Farmworkers' Clinics during 2001 was instituted in this study. Although GTS was not clinically diagnosed in any of the patients, we found 15% diagnoses that could be attributed to possible GTS by ICD-9 code review. Using a stricter GTS case definition, the frequency rate decreased to 4%. Nonsmokers were significantly more likely than smokers to report GTS-like symptoms (P < 0.01). Isolated symptoms of headache and dizziness were significantly more frequent among nonsmokers than smokers (P < 0.05). In conclusion, cases of possible GTS were found in Connecticut shade tobacco workers. Nonsmokers were more at risk to have possible GTS than smokers.

Spatial and temporal clustering of an occupational poisoning: the example of green tobacco sickness.

Nicotine poisonings in tobacco farm workers (Green Tobacco Sickness, GTS) reported to the Kentucky Regional Poison Center during 1991 were assessed for spatial, temporal and space-time clustering. Among 62 index cases, 10 had worked with others who also reported GTS that day. Analysis of index cases, using Best and Rayner's V(2), showed significant cyclic clustering by hour of day the report was received (p = 9 x 10(-9)); chi-square revealed significant spatial clustering by agricultural district (p = 0.0002). Space-time clustering was detected using the E-M-M statistic (p = 0.008); however, the space-by-time interaction of Rao's chi-square goodness-of-fit statistic did not detect space-time clustering (p = 0.32).