Study of occupational exposure to insecticides while spraying in cotton farms.

ABSTRACT

Organophosphorus compounds (OPC) are commonly used in farms and agricultural fields as insecticides. This study deals with manifestations of exposure among 40 workers engaged in the spraying of cotton crops with these insecticides over a period of two months. The compounds used were mostly monocrotophos, acephate, chlorpyriphos, methyl parathion and propanophos. All patients were illiterate males in the range of 15 years to 50 years of age. They showed typical manifestations of OPC poisoning. All of them responded to conventional treatment for OPC poisoning. There was one death. During the course of the survey it was found that none of the farmers were using protective gear as mandated by chapter VIII of Insecticides Rules, 1971 (Insecticides Act, 1968). A few of these workers were exposed to the insecticide for as much as nine hours per day for three days. In practice, in some deaths associated with OPC poisoning, history of inhalation is given. It is important to note that this could change the manner of death from suicidal to accidental. Due precaution must therefore be exercised in such cases before opining on the manner of death. It is imperative that extensive and persistent farmer education is done with regard to the implementation of various provisions under the Insecticides Rules, 1971, especially safety issues.