Association of asthma with use of pesticides. Results of a cross-sectional survey of farmers.
We investigated the association of self-reported asthma and pesticide use in 1,939 male farmers. Regardless of age, smoking pack-years, and nasal allergic reactions, the prevalence of asthma was significantly associated with the use of carbamate insecticides (prevalence odds ratio = 1.8, 95% confidence interval: 1.1 to 3.1, p = 0.02). Self-reported asthmatics, in comparison with nonasthmatics, had significantly lower mean values for lung function test variables after adjusting for age and height and a higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms. These findings raise the possibility that exposure to agriculture chemicals could be related to lung dysfunction in exposed farmers.
Senthilselvan
A
A
Department of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada.
McDuffie
H H
HH
Dosman
J A
JA
D000328:Adult; D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D001249:Asthma / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D002219:Carbamates; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006540:Herbicides / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007306:Insecticides / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012525:Saskatchewan / Q000453:epidemiology; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology
D002219:Carbamates; D006540:Herbicides; D007306:Insecticides