Pesticide Exposure and Health: A Study of Washington Farmworkers
Author: Mentzer, Michelle, JD
Date Published: 1988
Washington employs the fourth highest number of farmworkers in the nation in an agriculture industry dominated by labor-intensive crops. Tree fruit, hops, asparagus, berries and many row crop vegetables require hand cultivation and harvesting. This brings workers into close contact with pesticide residues left on plants and soil. Farmworkers also come into contact with pesticides by mixing and applying them as well as by accidental sprayings and drift. Apples -- Washington's number one crop -- use more pesticides than any other crop in the United States. Apple workers come into contact with foliage residues while working closely in the trees to prune, thin, prop and harvest them. Thus pesticides are of particular concern to Washington farmworkers. No previous study of farmworker exposure to pesticides has been done in Washington. The present study employed a questionnaire to survey 460 farmworkers around the state concerning their exposure to agricultural chemicals and the incidence of certain health problems that can be caused by these chemicals.
Date Published: 1988
Washington employs the fourth highest number of farmworkers in the nation in an agriculture industry dominated by labor-intensive crops. Tree fruit, hops, asparagus, berries and many row crop vegetables require hand cultivation and harvesting. This brings workers into close contact with pesticide residues left on plants and soil. Farmworkers also come into contact with pesticides by mixing and applying them as well as by accidental sprayings and drift. Apples -- Washington's number one crop -- use more pesticides than any other crop in the United States. Apple workers come into contact with foliage residues while working closely in the trees to prune, thin, prop and harvest them. Thus pesticides are of particular concern to Washington farmworkers. No previous study of farmworker exposure to pesticides has been done in Washington. The present study employed a questionnaire to survey 460 farmworkers around the state concerning their exposure to agricultural chemicals and the incidence of certain health problems that can be caused by these chemicals.
