American Journal of Industrial Medicine
Volume 39, Issue 5, 2001, Pages 487-498

Farmworker reports of pesticide safety and sanitation in the work environment (Article)

Arcury T.A. , Quandt S.A. , Cravey A.J. , Elmore R.C.
  • a Department of Family and Community Medicine, Wake Forest University, School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1084, United States
  • b Department of Family and Community Medicine, Wake Forest University, School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1084, United States
  • c Department of Family and Community Medicine, Wake Forest University, School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1084, United States
  • d Department of Family and Community Medicine, Wake Forest University, School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1084, United States

Abstract

Background Migrant and seasonal farmworkers are at risk for occupational illnesses from pesticide exposure, and the effectiveness of pesticide safety regulations has not been evaluated. It is important to learn from farmworker safety experiences to develop effective measures to improve agricultural workplace safety. Methods Formative research included in-depth interviews with farmworkers, farmers, extension agents, and health care providers. Survey research included interviews with 270 minority farmworkers during 1998, and 293 during 1999. Results Farmworkers and farmers hold different beliefs concerning pesticide safety which affect sanitation practices. Farmworkers report in survey data that farmers do not adhere to regulations mandating training and basic sanitation facilities. Conclusions Several points of intervention are available to improve pesticide safety and sanitation. Additional regulation by itself is not an advantageous starting point. The emphasis for intervention must include educating farmers as well as farmworkers. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Author Keywords

minority health Cultural differences qualitative methods Agricultural health occupational health Migrant workers Minority workers Latinos/Hispanics Worker safety Pesticide safety

Index Keywords

immigrant minority group agricultural worker human North Carolina ethnic group Agriculture rural health sanitation Humans workplace occupational exposure occupational safety pesticide cultural factor Pesticides Article major clinical study occupational health pest control
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0035042156&doi=10.1002%2fajim.1042&partnerID=40&md5=487ba0fa6c5bc7a3fbde830e1f6d80fc
DOI: 10.1002/ajim.1042
ISSN: 02713586
Cited by: 78
Original Language: English