Associations between pesticide use and respiratory symptoms: A cross-sectional study in Southern Ghana.
Indiscriminate use of pesticides is a common practice amongst farmers in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMIC) across the globe. However, there is little evidence defining whether pesticide use is associated with respiratory symptoms.



This cross-sectional study was conducted with 300 vegetable farmers in southern Ghana (Akumadan). Data on pesticide use was collected with an interviewed-administered questionnaire. The concentration of seven organochlorine pesticides and 3 pyrethroid pesticides was assayed in urine collected from a sub-population of 100 vegetable farmers by a gas chromatograph equipped with an electron capture detector (GC-ECD).



A statistically significant exposure-response relationship of years per day spent mixing/applying fumigant with wheezing [30-60 days/year: prevalence ratio (PR)=1.80 (95% CI 1.30, 2.50); >60days/year: 3.25 (1.70-6.33), p for trend=0.003] and hours per day spent mixing/applying fumigant with wheezing [1-2h/day: 1.20 (1.02-1.41), 3-5h/day: 1.45 (1.05-1.99), >5h/day: 1.74 (1.07-2.81), p for trend=0.0225]; days per year spent mixing/applying fungicide with wheezing [30-60 days/year: 2.04 (1.31-3.17); >60days/year: 4.16 (1.72-10.08), p for trend=0.0017] and h per day spent mixing/applying fungicide with phlegm production [1-2h/day: 1.25 (1.05-1.47), 3-5h/day: 1.55 (1.11-2.17), >5h/day: 1.93 (1.17-3.19), p for trend=0.0028] and with wheezing [1-2h/day: 1.10 (1.00-1.50), 3-5h/day: 1.20 (1.11-1.72), >5h/day: 1.32 (1.09-2.53), p for trend=0.0088]; h per day spent mixing/applying insecticide with phlegm production [1-2h/day: 1.23 (1.09-1.62), 3-5h/day: 1.51 (1.20-2.58), >5h/day: 1.85 (1.31-4.15), p for trend=0.0387] and wheezing [1-2h/day: 1.22 (1.02-1.46), 3-5h/day: 1.49 (1.04-2.12), >5h/day: 1.81 (1.07-3.08), p for trend=0.0185] were observed. Statistically significant exposure-response association was also observed for a combination of activities that exposes farmers to pesticide with all 3 respiratory symptoms. Furthermore, significant exposure-response associations for 3 organochlorine insecticides: beta-HCH, heptachlor and endosulfan sulfate were noted.



In conclusion, vegetable farmers in Ghana may be at increased risk for respiratory symptoms as a result of exposure to pesticides.
Biological, Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana; Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana. Electronic address: reginald.quansah@ug.edu.gh.
Reginald
R
Quansah
Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Siebens-Drake Medical Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, Canada.
John R
JR
Bend
Biological, Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana.
Abukari
A
Abdul-Rahaman
Department of Environmental Science, School of Biological Sciences, College of Agriculture & Natural Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
Frederick Ato
FA
Armah
Department of Geography, Western University, Ontario, Canada.
Isaac
I
Luginaah
Environmental Health Group, Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
David Kofi
DK
Essumang
Department of Statistics, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana.
Samuel
S
Iddi
Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Jonathan
J
Chevrier
Department of Ecotourism and Environmental Management, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, University for Development Studies, Nyankpala, Ghana.
Samuel Jerry
SJ
Cobbina
Department of Economics, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana.
Edward
E
Nketiah-Amponsah
Chemicals Control and Management Centre, Environmental Protection Agency, Accra, Ghana.
Samuel
S
Adu-Kumi
Department of Chemistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
Godfred
G
Darko
Nuclear Chemistry and Environmental Research Centre, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Accra, Ghana.
Samuel
S
Afful
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D005869:Ghana / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D010573:Pesticide Residues / Q000633:toxicity / Q000652:urine; D010575:Pesticides / Q000633:toxicity* / Q000652:urine; D015995:Prevalence; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult
D010573:Pesticide Residues; D010575:Pesticides
Farmer; Ghana; Organochlorine; Pesticide; Pyrethroid; Respiratory symptom