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Pesticide Related Illness Among Migrant Farm Workers in the United States

Author: Das, R.
Date Published: 2001


Surveillance data show that pesticide-related illness is an important cause of acute morbidity among migrant farmworkers 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 systematic effects are also common. Exposures occur in various ways, suggesting that the use of pesticides creates a hazardous work environment for farmworkers. 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 and carcinogenic potency, volume applied , and magnitude of worker poisonings. Current surveillance effort should be supported. Risk prevention should focus on substitution of safer regulations establishing effective protections and ensuring that these measures are enforced. Improved education for health care providers should be a priority. Growers should be education about alternative forms of pest control and incentives should be provided to encourage their use.

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Number of Pages: 9