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Research Article
Jen Fuk Liem
Krida Wacana Christian University
Corresponding Author
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Background
Agriculture is a major economic sector in Indonesia. Chemical pesticides are widely being used in agriculture for the control of the pest. There is a growing concern that pesticide exposure, particularly chlorpyrifos (CPF) exposure combined with other occupational characteristics that determine the level of exposure, can lead to further health impacts for farmers. Our objective was to evaluate the cumulative exposure characteristics among farmers exposed to CPF using a validated algorithm.
Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional study of 152 vegetable farmers aged 18-65 who actively used CPF for at least one year in Central Java, Indonesia. Subject characteristics were obtained using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire addressed for sociodemographic and work-related characteristics. The cumulative exposure level (CEL) was measured as a function of the intensity level of pesticide exposure (IL), lifetime years of pesticide use and the number of days spraying per years. CEL then classified into two groups, high and low exposure group. The difference in characteristics of the study population was measured using Chi-square, independent-t or Mann-Whitney test. Association between CEL and its characteristics variables were performed by multiple linear regression.
Results
Seventy-one subjects (46.7%) were classified as the high exposure group. The use of multiple pesticide mixtures was common among our study population, with 94% of them using 2 or more pesticides. 73% reported direct contact with pesticides, and over 80% reported being splashed or spilt during preparation or spraying activity. However, we found that the proportion of proper personal protective equipment (PPE) use in our subjects was low. Higher volume of mixture applied (p < 0.001) and broader acres of land (p = 0.001) were associated with higher cumulative exposure level, while using the long sleeve and long trousers (p < 0.05) during pesticide spraying were associated with lower cumulative exposure after adjusted for age and gender.
Conclusions
These findings indicate a lack of knowledge and understanding of the proper use of pesticides. Thus, we recommend comprehensive training on pesticide use and encourage proper PPE to reduce the exposure level.
Keywords
Pesticide cumulative exposure, exposure assessment, exposure reduction, work practices, occupational characteristics
Figure 1
No competing interests reported.
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CURRENT STATUS: Under Review
Version 1
Posted 17 Mar, 2021
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Editorial decision: Major revision
On 26 Apr, 2021
Reviews received
Received 22 Mar, 2021
Reviewers agreed
On 22 Mar, 2021
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Editor invited
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On 10 Mar, 2021
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This preprint is under consideration at BMC Public Health. A preprint is a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
Learn more about In Review
Research Article
Jen Fuk Liem
Krida Wacana Christian University
Corresponding Author
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
Peer Review Timeline
CURRENT STATUS: Under Review
Version 1
Posted 17 Mar, 2021
No community comments so far
Editorial decision: Major revision
On 26 Apr, 2021
Reviews received
Received 22 Mar, 2021
Reviewers agreed
On 22 Mar, 2021
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 19 Mar, 2021
Editor assigned
On 19 Mar, 2021
Editor invited
On 10 Mar, 2021
Submission checks complete
On 10 Mar, 2021
First submitted
On 04 Mar, 2021
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Background
Agriculture is a major economic sector in Indonesia. Chemical pesticides are widely being used in agriculture for the control of the pest. There is a growing concern that pesticide exposure, particularly chlorpyrifos (CPF) exposure combined with other occupational characteristics that determine the level of exposure, can lead to further health impacts for farmers. Our objective was to evaluate the cumulative exposure characteristics among farmers exposed to CPF using a validated algorithm.
Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional study of 152 vegetable farmers aged 18-65 who actively used CPF for at least one year in Central Java, Indonesia. Subject characteristics were obtained using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire addressed for sociodemographic and work-related characteristics. The cumulative exposure level (CEL) was measured as a function of the intensity level of pesticide exposure (IL), lifetime years of pesticide use and the number of days spraying per years. CEL then classified into two groups, high and low exposure group. The difference in characteristics of the study population was measured using Chi-square, independent-t or Mann-Whitney test. Association between CEL and its characteristics variables were performed by multiple linear regression.
Results
Seventy-one subjects (46.7%) were classified as the high exposure group. The use of multiple pesticide mixtures was common among our study population, with 94% of them using 2 or more pesticides. 73% reported direct contact with pesticides, and over 80% reported being splashed or spilt during preparation or spraying activity. However, we found that the proportion of proper personal protective equipment (PPE) use in our subjects was low. Higher volume of mixture applied (p < 0.001) and broader acres of land (p = 0.001) were associated with higher cumulative exposure level, while using the long sleeve and long trousers (p < 0.05) during pesticide spraying were associated with lower cumulative exposure after adjusted for age and gender.
Conclusions
These findings indicate a lack of knowledge and understanding of the proper use of pesticides. Thus, we recommend comprehensive training on pesticide use and encourage proper PPE to reduce the exposure level.
Figure 1
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