Health Hazards by Spraying Pesticides on Farmers in Citrus Fruit Area

Abstract

In the present study, we undertook the investigation into health conditions and subjective symptomes by spraying pesticides on farmers in citrus fruit area in Ehime Prefecture.
65 males and 138 females were examined for their health conditions in August, 1981 and the prevalence rate of anemia was 6.2% in males and 37.0% in females, that of hypertension was 20.0% in males and 20.3% in females, and that of the disturbance of liver function was 17.0% in males and 2.8% in females. There was a serious problem in farmers that the subjects taken these diseases usually sprayed pesticides.
The investigation into subjective symptomes by spraying pesticides was performed for 50 males and 54 females from May to July, 1981. The frequency of spraying pesticides was about 2.5 times per sprayer in May and June, but about 5 times in July. Time of spraying was about 5 hours and dithiocarbamates was most frequently used. The tendency of combinational use with several pesticides was recognized in July than in May and June. The wearing rates of waterproof coat and trausers were high but those of dustproof mask and rubber gloves were low. The incidence rate of subjective symptomes by spraying pesticides was 10.4% in males and 17.0% in females in May, 14.3% in males and 27.8% in females in June, and increased to 42.0% in males and 63.0% in females in July. Skin lesion was the most frequent symptome, excessive sweating and general fatigue followed this. Further studies on skin hazards due to pesticides are necessary.