Search

The authors describe the prevalence and severity of pterygium among Latino migrant farmworkers in North Carolina and delineate its risk factors. They selected a sample of 304 farmworkers working in eastern North Carolina in 2005. Digital photographs were taken of each farmworker, including a facial view showing the eyes. Two physicians independently rated each farmworker for the presence and severity of pterygia, with an initial intercoder agreement of 91%. Sixty-eight (23.3%) participants had a pterygium in at least 1 eye; 28 (9.5%) had bilateral pterygia. Age was significantly associated with pterygia (odds ratio = 1.07; 95% confidence interval 1.03-1.11). Research on the causes of pterygium among farmworkers is needed. In the interim, improvements in farmworkers' preventive behaviors, such as wearing ultraviolet protective lenses and brimmed hats, are reasonable and inexpensive measures. KEYWORDS: farmworkers, ocular effects, pterygium, ultraviolet exposure, Farmworkers face multiple hazards to their eyes, including traumatic injuries caused by tools, equipment, and plants, and illnesses caused by environmental and infectious agents, such as agricultural chemicals, dust, wind, [...]

Study objective: To measure the prevalence of allergic rhinitis, atopy, and asthma among grape farmers, and to compare the respiratory and atopic status in grape farmers with those of nonexposed [...]

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health evaluated farm pesticide exposure and glioma risk in a study that included 457 glioma cases and 648 population-based controls, all adult men (18-80 yr old) and nonmetropolitan residents of Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Multiple logistic regressions were used to control for farm residence, age, age group, education, and exposure to other pesticides. No associations were found between glioma and 12 specific pesticides. We estimated adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and found reduced glioma risk for insecticides (OR = 0.53, CI = 0.37-0.77), fumigants (OR = 0.57, CI = 0.34-0.95), and organochlorines (OR = 0.66, CI = 0.47-0.94). In analyses excluding proxy respondents (47% of cases) most CIs included 1.0. No positive association of farm pesticide exposure and glioma was found. Other farm exposures may explain the excess brain cancer risk seen in previous studies., FARMERS EXPERIENCE a lower overall cancer mortality than the general population. However, several studies have indicated that individuals working in agriculture had an excess risk of brain cancer ranging from [...]

The FDA has issued a second Letter to papaya growers, harvesters, packers, distributors, exporters, importers and retailers outlining a series of steps to help prevent recurring outbreaks of Salmonella linked [...]

Wet years such as 2019 can bring Long-lasting health challenges to farmers. One such danger that could be lurking in grain bins or barns is hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Known as farmer's [...]

A retrospective cohort study of mortality among 6,405 female farm residents who were New York Farm Bureau members, or spouses or relatives of members, was conducted from 1980 through 1993. Similar to previous findings for male farmers, the cohort experienced significantly lower mortality rates for all causes combined (including malignant neoplasms and cardiovascular disease), compared with rural nonfarm female residents. These findings suggest that farmers and farm residents of both genders have favorable habits with respect to several lifestyle factors. The results of this study were consistent with those from other studies of farm populations worldwide., OVERALL, farmers experience lower mortality and cancer incidence than the general population. (1-15) The low risk of cancer mortality reflects the low incidence among farmers of cancers in the most [...]

A retrospective cohort study of cancer incidence among 6,310 female farm residents who were New York Farm Bureau members, or members' spouses or relatives, was conducted from 1980 through 1993. Similar to the previous findings for New York State male farmers, the female farm resident cohort experienced significantly lower cancer rates for all cancers combined, and for lung cancer, compared with rural nonfarm female residents. In addition, significantly low rates for colorectal cancer and ovarian cancer were found among the female cohort members. Nonsignificant excesses were found for thyroid and liver cancers. The findings suggest that female farm residents in this cohort might have experienced some of the same cancer-protective factors as male farmers., FARMERS AND THEIR FAMILIES can potentially be exposed to several hazardous agents, some of which are known carcinogens. These agents include pesticides, solvents, fertilizers, dusts, some infectious agents of animal [...]

Purpose. The purpose of the study was to determine utilization patterns of dental services, unmet dental needs, access to care barriers, and oral health behaviors as perceived by migrant farmworkers at a rural southern Illinois farmworker health clinic. Methods. Two bilingual dental hygiene students and one member of the local Hispanic community verbally administered a 26-item survey questionnaire to 119 migrant farmworker clients at a health center as they waited to receive care. Results. Utilization results showed that 51% of those surveyed had not sought oral health care in the previous year, citing absence of pain or discomfort as the primary reason. Forty-one percent reported seeking oral health care on a yearly basis, while 42% only sought care when in pain. Primary services received were examinations, prophylaxes, and restorations. Having received brushing instructions was reported by 58%, while 45% had received instructions on flossing. Barriers to care were reported as limited clinic hours (57%), high fees (33%), and lack of transportation (17%). Most respondents reported regular brushing habits, but only 11% used floss daily, 38% occasionally, and 52% didn't use it at all. Only 7% reported smoking. Meanwhile, bleeding gingiva was reported by 50%, swollen or tender gingiva by 37%, and tooth loss by 49%. Conclusions. The majority of migrant farmworkers in a southern Illinois community reported access to care barriers, and having never or episodically received dental services. Nearly half reported signs of periodontal disease. Keywords. Migrant farmworkers, access to care, oral health behaviors, perceived dental need, seasonal farmworkers., Introduction Rural southern Illinois has a rich agricultural heritage. To meet the workforce needs of area farmers, thousands of migrant farmworkers and their families travel to the area to work [...]

In this study, the authors assessed the contribution of vineyard pesticides to brain cancer mortality among agricultural workers. A pesticide exposure index (PEI) in vineyards was calculated for 89 French geographical units (departements). The authors estimated standardized mortality ratios among male farmers and farm laborers aged 35-74 y for the years 1984-1986. Poisson regression models, which were fitted to the ecological data, included random effects. Mortality from brain cancer among farmers was significantly higher than mortality for the overall population (standardized mortality ratio = 1.25, p [is less than] .001). Univariate analysis revealed a significant link with pesticide exposure in vineyards (relative risk = 1.10; 95% confidence interval = 1.03, 1.18), as did multivariate analysis (relative risk = 1.11; 95% confidence interval = 1.03, 1.19). These results corraborate the evidence that pesticides in vineyards contribute to mortality from brain cancer among farmers., EVERY YEAR, 93 000 tons of pesticides (e.g., insecticides, herbicides, fungicides) are sprayed in France,[1] potentially exposing 700 000-1 000 000 workers (e.g., farm laborers, applicators, manufacturers, formulators, packers). Overall [...]

Study objective: To compare exposure to microorganisms associated with allergic alveolitis (AA) and with febrile reactions to inhaled mold dust (organic dust toxic syndrome [ODTS]) in farmers and in normal [...]