Pesticide exposure beliefs among Latino farmworkers in North Carolina's Christmas tree industry.

BACKGROUND: Pesticide exposure is a major preventable occupational hazard for farmworkers. This study examined the beliefs of Latino farmworkers in North Carolina's Christmas tree industry regarding pesticide exposure. METHODS: In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 Mexican male seasonal farmworkers. Participants discussed beliefs about agricultural chemicals, routes of exposure, and health effects of these chemicals. They also discussed their knowledge and use of pesticide safety practices and safety training received. RESULTS: Most farmworkers knew that pesticides could be harmful, though workers varied in their levels of knowledge regarding routes of exposure, specific health effects of pesticides, and ways to avoid and reduce exposure. Workers varied considerably in the amount of safety training received and use of safety practices. Perceived lack of control and health beliefs were salient factors that decreased workers' use of safety practices. CONCLUSIONS: This study adds to the growing body of research which documents the health beliefs of Latino farmworkers in the U.S. relative to pesticides and pesticide safety. This literature is beginning to show convergence on several points (e.g., farmworker knowledge of acute vs. long-term illness resulting from pesticide exposure), as well as regional variation in pesticide safety beliefs. This study substantiates the need for pesticide safety education to address issues of control as well as beliefs.

Eye symptoms and use of eye protection among seasonal and migrant farmworkers.

BACKGROUND: Farmworkers face an array of environmental and workplace hazards that pose risks of eye damage from accidents involving agricultural chemicals and equipment and from exposure to wind, dust, and ultraviolet rays. Eye safety risks are known among industrial and agricultural occupations, yet little is known about the prevalence of eye symptoms and use of eye protection among farmworkers. METHODS: A survey of 197 Latino farmworkers in North Carolina used self-report data to measure workers' prevalence of eye symptoms and eye protection use. RESULTS: Eye pain and redness after working all day in the field were reported by more than 40% of workers. Most (98.4%) reported not wearing sunglasses when working in the fields; reasons included lack of sunglasses and interference with field tasks. CONCLUSIONS: Eye symptoms are prevalent in this population. Failure to use eye protection indicates the need for further education and training of Latino farmworkers and their employers about occupational risks to eyesight.

Farmworker reports of pesticide safety and sanitation in the work environment.

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.