Dermatitis in Ecuadorean farm workers.
Using a cross-sectional survey of potato farm workers in northern Ecuador, we examined the relationship between pesticide exposure and skin disorders. From a farm population census, all pesticide applicators and 1/2 of exposed field workers were selected. Controls were age-matched from urban occupations. Individual exposure measures included overall years and current hours working with pesticides. Farm-level measures included numbers of applications over the last 6 months and an application practices score (range 0-4). Each participant underwent a clinical skin examination, with patch tests to maneb on a sample of dermatitis cases. Exposure-related increases in conjunctivitis (7% of applicators, 0% in other groups), dermatitis (68% of exposed and 55% of applicators versus 31% of controls, p < 0.001) and pigmentation disorders (25% of exposed and applicators vs 10% controls, p = 0.06) were found. Among dermatitis cases (n = 117), 5% were positive to maneb on patch testing. In logistic regression analysis, significant predictors (p < 0.1) of dermatitis included years using fungicides (OR = 1.12 per year) and poor application practices (OR = 1.42 per score unit). Agricultural fungicide application in high-exposure situations can contribute to dermatitis prevalence among farm populations.
Cole
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Environmental Health Program, McMaster University, Canada.
Carpio
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Math
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Léon
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D000328:Adult; D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D000485:Allergens; D003231:Conjunctivitis / Q000139:chemically induced; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000209:etiology; D017453:Dermatitis, Irritant / Q000209:etiology; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000209:etiology*; D004484:Ecuador; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007509:Irritants; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D010575:Pesticides / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010859:Pigmentation Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced
D000485:Allergens; D007509:Irritants; D010575:Pesticides