Article

Exposure opportunities of families of farmer pesticide applicators†

  1. Beth C. Gladen PhD1,*,
  2. Dale P. Sandler PhD1,
  3. Shelia H. Zahm ScD2,
  4. Freja Kamel PhD, MPH1,
  5. Andrew S. Rowland PhD1,
  6. Michael C. R. Alavanja DrPH2

Article first published online: 12 DEC 1998

DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1097-0274(199812)34:6<581::AID-AJIM6>3.0.CO;2-U

Issue

American Journal of Industrial Medicine

American Journal of Industrial Medicine

Volume 34, Issue 6, pages 581–587, December 1998

Additional Information

How to Cite

Gladen, B. C., Sandler, D. P., Zahm, S. H., Kamel, F., Rowland, A. S. and Alavanja, M. C. R. (1998), Exposure opportunities of families of farmer pesticide applicators. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 34: 581–587. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1097-0274(199812)34:6<581::AID-AJIM6>3.0.CO;2-U

Author Information

  1. 1

    National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina

  2. 2

    National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland

*Biostatistics Branch, Mail Drop A3-03, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, P.O. Box 12233, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709

  1. †

    This article is a US Government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 12 DEC 1998
  2. Article first published online: 12 DEC 1998
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 29 JUL 1998

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Keywords:

  • agriculture;
  • agrochemicals;
  • pesticides;
  • environmental exposure;
  • occupational exposure;
  • family

Abstract

Background Families of farmer pesticide applicators have unusual opportunities for exposure, directly or indirectly, to pesticides. These exposures are not well characterized.

Methods Subjects were 26,793 licensed private pesticide applicators enrolled in the Agricultural Health Study, a cohort study being conducted in Iowa and North Carolina. Questionnaires were completed by the applicators and their spouses.

Results Many indirect exposure opportunities exist; for example, 21% of homes are within 50 yards of pesticide mixing areas, 27% of applicators store pesticides in their homes, and 94% of clothing worn for pesticide work is washed in the same machine as other laundry. Direct exposure opportunities also occur; for example, 51% of wives of applicators worked in the fields in the last growing season, 40% of wives have ever mixed or applied pesticides, and over half of children aged 11 or more do farm chores.

Discussion/Conclusions The extent of the opportunities for exposure of family members of farmer pesticide applicators makes studies of their health important. Am J. Ind. Med. 34:581–587, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

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