Article

Retinal degeneration in licensed pesticide applicators†

  1. F. Kamel PhD, MPH1,*,
  2. W. K. Boyes PhD2,
  3. B. C. Gladen PhD1,
  4. A. S. Rowland PhD1,
  5. M. C. R. Alavanja DrPH3,
  6. A. Blair PhD3,
  7. D. P. Sandler PhD1

Article first published online: 27 APR 2000

DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1097-0274(200006)37:6<618::AID-AJIM6>3.0.CO;2-E

Issue

American Journal of Industrial Medicine

American Journal of Industrial Medicine

Volume 37, Issue 6, pages 618–628, June 2000

Additional Information

How to Cite

Kamel, F., Boyes, W. K., Gladen, B. C., Rowland, A. S., Alavanja, M. C. R., Blair, A. and Sandler, D. P. (2000), Retinal degeneration in licensed pesticide applicators. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 37: 618–628. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1097-0274(200006)37:6<618::AID-AJIM6>3.0.CO;2-E

Author Information

  1. 1

    National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

  2. 2

    US Environmental Protection Agency

  3. 3

    National Cancer Institute

*Epidemiology Branch, MD A3-05, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 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: 27 APR 2000
  2. Article first published online: 27 APR 2000
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 12 JAN 2000

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Keywords:

  • retinal degeneration;
  • fungicides;
  • insecticides;
  • organochlorines;
  • carbamates;
  • organophosphates;
  • application methods

Abstract

Background

Retinal degeneration is the leading cause of visual impairment in older adults, but little is known about its relationship to neurotoxic exposures.

Methods

The Agricultural Health Study is a cohort study of licensed pesticide applicators from Iowa and North Carolina. We used cross-sectional data from self-administered questionnaires given at enrollment in 1994–1996 to compare pesticide use in 154 applicators who reported retinal degeneration and 17,804 controls.

Results

Retinal degeneration was associated with fungicide use (odds ratio = 1.8, 95% confidence interval = 1.3–2.6). This relationship was seen in subgroups defined by state, demographic characteristics, or medical history, as well as in the entire group. Risk increased with cumulative days of fungicide use (P for trend = 0.011) and was greater when application methods involving greater personal exposure were used. Retinal degeneration was also related to use of organochlorine or carbamate insecticides, but these associations were less consistent. Since nearly all applicators used organophosphate insecticides and herbicides, these exposures could not be effectively evaluated.

Conclusions

These results suggest that exposure to some fungicides and insecticides may increase risk of retinal degeneration. Am. J. Ind. Med. 37:618–628, 2000. © Published 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

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