Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

  • Volume 34
  • /
  • Pages.42.1-42.11
  • /
  • 2022
  • /
  • 1225-3618(pISSN)
  • /
  • 2052-4374(eISSN)
The Korean Society of Occupational & Environmental Medicine (대한직업환경의학회)
권호 표지
DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

Occupational factors affecting the decline in pulmonary function among male farmers using occupational pesticide in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea

  • Sooyeon Lee (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Hanyang University Hospital) ;
  • Jiyoung Han (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Hanyang University Hospital) ;
  • Seung Hee Woo (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Hanyang University Hospital) ;
  • Soo-Jin Lee (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Hanyang University Hospital)
  • Received : 2021.09.28
  • Accepted : 2022.11.08
  • Published : 2022.12.31
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

Background: Occupational pesticide exposure is a potential risk for respiratory health effects. Most clinical studies on pesticide exposure were related to acute exposure, and only a few studies on chronic exposure have been conducted. This study investigated the chronic respiratory health status and the chronic effects of occupational pesticide exposures of farmers in Gyeonggi-do. Methods: Surveys and pulmonary function tests were conducted on 1,697 farmers in 16 regions of Gyeonggi-do. The structured questionnaire included demographic characteristics, medical history, recent respiratory symptoms and diseases, and work-related conditions, and was conducted through one-on-one interviews. The prevalence of respiratory diseases was compared by the odds ratios (ORs) at 95% confidence intervals (CIs) estimated by logistic regression analysis. Additional multivariate logistic regression analysis was also conducted. Results: Pesticide work groups showed significant association with an obstructive pattern in the lung function test (unadjusted OR, 2.38; 95% CI, 1.17-5.52). Selected work-related variables of pesticide exposure were 'start age,' 'cumulative duration,' 'mixing pesticides,' and 'protection(goggle).' The obstructive pattern of lung function test showed significant associations with mixing pesticides (OR, 2.30; 95% CI,1.07-5.46), and protection (goggle) use (OR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.12-0.79). Conclusions: Mixing two or more pesticides showed a significant association. Wearing goggles can be seen as an indicator of awareness of the protective equipment and proper wearing of protective equipment, and loss of pulmonary function can be prevented when appropriate protection is worn.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This work was carried out with the support of the "Cooperative Research Program for Agriculture Science and Technology Development (Project No. PJ014269032021)," Rural Development Administration, Republic of Korea.

References

  1. Alavanja MC, Hoppin JA, Kamel F. Health effects of chronic pesticide exposure cancer and neurotoxicity. Annu Rev Public Health 2004;25:155-97. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.publhealth.25.101802.123020
  2. Lee WJ. Pesticide exposure and health. J Environ Health Sci 2011;37(2):81-93. https://doi.org/10.5668/JEHS.2011.37.2.081
  3. Ye M, Beach J, Martin JW, Senthilselvan A. Occupational pesticide exposures and respiratory health. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2013;10(12):6442-71. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph10126442
  4. Dawson AH, Eddleston M, Senarathna L, Mohamed F, Gawarammana I, Bowe SJ, et al. Acute human lethal toxicity of agricultural pesticides: a prospective cohort study. PLoS Med 2010;7(10):e1000357.
  5. Lee WJ, Blair A, Hoppin JA, Lubin JH, Rusiecki JA, Sandler DP, et al. Cancer incidence among pesticide applicators exposed to chlorpyrifos in the agricultural health study. J Natl Cancer Inst 2004;96(23):1781-9. https://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/djh324
  6. Zuskin E, Mustajbegovic J, Schachter EN, Kern J, Deckovic-Vukres V, Trosic I, et al. Respiratory function in pesticide workers. J Occup Environ Med 2008;50(11):1299-305. https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0b013e3181845f6c
  7. Lee SJ. The occupational diseases of agricultural workers. Hanyang Med Rev 2010;30(4):305.
  8. Slager RE, Poole JA, LeVan TD, Sandler DP, Alavanja MC, Hoppin JA. Rhinitis associated with pesticide exposure among commercial pesticide applicators in the agricultural health study. Occup Environ Med 2009;66(11):718-24. https://doi.org/10.1136/oem.2008.041798
  9. Khane RS, Arora B. A study on effect of inhaled pesticides on pulmonary function tests in farmers. Int J Sci Res 2015;4:2159-62.
  10. Faria NM, Facchini LA, Fassa AG, Tomasi E. Pesticides and respiratory symptoms among farmers. Rev Saude Publica 2005;39(6):973-81. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89102005000600016
  11. Doust E, Ayres JG, Devereux G, Dick F, Crawford JO, Cowie H, et al. Is pesticide exposure a cause of obstructive airways disease? Eur Respir Rev 2014;23(132):180-92. https://doi.org/10.1183/09059180.00005113
  12. Negatu B, Kromhout H, Mekonnen Y, Vermeulen R. Occupational pesticide exposure and respiratory health: a large-scale cross-sectional study in three commercial farming systems in Ethiopia. Thorax 2017;72(6):498-9. https://doi.org/10.1136/thoraxjnl-2016-208924
  13. Fieten KB, Kromhout H, Heederik D, van Wendel de Joode B. Pesticide exposure and respiratory health of indigenous women in Costa Rica. Am J Epidemiol 2009;169(12):1500-6. https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/kwp060
  14. IARC Working Group on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans. Occupational Exposures in Insecticide Application, and Some Pesticides. Lyon: International Agency for Research on Cancer; 1991.
  15. Weichenthal S, Moase C, Chan P. A review of pesticide exposure and cancer incidence in the agricultural health study cohort. Environ Health Perspect 2010;118(8):1117-25. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.0901731
  16. Sull JW, Yi SW, Sohn TY, Jee SH, Nam CM, Ohrr H. Pesticides and cancer incidence: the Kangwha Cohort Study. Korean J Prev Med 2002;35(1):24-32.
  17. Park J, Yoo CI, Sim CS, Kim HK, Kim JW, Jeon BS, et al. Occupations and Parkinson's disease: a multicenter case-control study in South Korea. Neurotoxicology 2005;26(1):99-105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuro.2004.07.001
  18. Farr SL, Cai J, Savitz DA, Sandler DP, Hoppin JA, Cooper GS. Pesticide exposure and timing of menopause: the Agricultural Health Study. Am J Epidemiol 2006;163(8):731-42. https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/kwj099
  19. Sheiner EK, Sheiner E, Hammel RD, Potashnik G, Carel R. Effect of occupational exposures on male fertility: literature review. Ind Health 2003;41(2):55-62. https://doi.org/10.2486/indhealth.41.55
  20. de Jong K, Boezen HM, Kromhout H, Vermeulen R, Postma DS, Vonk JM. Association of occupational pesticide exposure with accelerated longitudinal decline in lung function. Am J Epidemiol 2014;179(11):1323-30. https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/kwu053
  21. Quansah R, Bend JR, Abdul-Rahaman A, Armah FA, Luginaah I, Essumang DK, et al. Associations between pesticide use and respiratory symptoms: a cross-sectional study in Southern Ghana. Environ Res 2016;150:245-54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2016.06.013
  22. Sapbamrer R, Thongtip S, Khacha-Ananda S, Sittitoon N, Wunnapuk K. Changes in lung function and respiratory symptoms during pesticide spraying season among male sprayers. Arch Environ Occup Health 2020;75(2):88-97. https://doi.org/10.1080/19338244.2019.1577208
  23. Cha ES, Jeong M, Lee WJ. Agricultural pesticide usage and prioritization in South Korea. J Agromed 2014;19(3):281-93. https://doi.org/10.1080/1059924X.2014.917349
  24. Pourhassan B, Meysamie A, Alizadeh S, Habibian A, Beigzadeh Z. Risk of obstructive pulmonary diseases and occupational exposure to pesticides: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Public Health 2019;174:31-41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2019.05.024
  25. LaVerda NL, Goldsmith DF, Alavanja MC, Hunting KL. Pesticide exposures and body mass index (BMI) of pesticide applicators from the agricultural health study. J Toxicol Environ Health A 2015;78(20):1255-76. https://doi.org/10.1080/15287394.2015.1074844
  26. Rabe KF, Hurd S, Anzueto A, Barnes PJ, Buist SA, Calverley P, et al. Global strategy for the diagnosis, management, and prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: GOLD executive summary. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2007;176(6):532-55. https://doi.org/10.1164/rccm.200703-456SO
  27. Yang B, Choi H, Lim JH, Park HY, Kang D, Cho J, et al. The disease burden of bronchiectasis in comparison with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a national database study in Korea. Ann Transl Med 2019;7(23):770-770. https://doi.org/10.21037/atm.2019.11.55
  28. Kim S, Choi HJ, Kim HY, Lee DK, Kim TH, Ahn MS, et al. Survey on pesticide use by Chinese cabbage growers in Gangwon alpine farmland. Korean J Pestic Sci 2002;6:250-6.
  29. Cha ES, Lee YK, Moon EK, Kim YB, Lee YJ, Jeong WC, et al. Paraquat application and respiratory health effects among South Korean farmers. Occup Environ Med 2012;69(6):398-403. https://doi.org/10.1136/oemed-2011-100244
  30. Rani L, Thapa K, Kanojia N, Sharma N, Singh S, Grewal AS, et al. An extensive review on the consequences of chemical pesticides on human health and environment. J Clean Prod 2021;283:124657.
  31. Mostafalou S, Abdollahi M. Pesticides and human chronic diseases: evidences, mechanisms, and perspectives. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2013;268(2):157-77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.taap.2013.01.025
  32. Hernandez AF, Gil F, Lacasana M. Toxicological interactions of pesticide mixtures: an update. Arch Toxicol 2017;91(10):3211-23. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00204-017-2043-5
  33. Wang Y, Chen C, Zhao X, Wang Q, Qian Y. Assessing joint toxicity of four organophosphate and carbamate insecticides in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) using acetylcholinesterase activity as an endpoint. Pestic Biochem Physiol 2015;122:81-5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pestbp.2014.12.017
  34. Yassin MM, Abu Mourad TA, Safi JM. Knowledge, attitude, practice, and toxicity symptoms associated with pesticide use among farm workers in the Gaza Strip. Occup Environ Med 2002;59(6):387-93. https://doi.org/10.1136/oem.59.6.387
  35. Yang B, Choi H, Lim JH, Park HY, Kang D, Cho J, et al. The disease burden of bronchiectasis in comparison with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a national database study in Korea. Ann Transl Med 2019;7(23):770-770. https://doi.org/10.21037/atm.2019.11.55
  36. Kim SM, Choi HJ, Kim HY, Lee DK, Kim TH, Ahn MS, et al. Survey on pesticide use by Chinese cabbage growers in Gangwon alpine farmland. Korean J Pestic Sci 2002;6:250-6.
  37. Cha ES, Lee YK, Moon EK, Kim YB, Lee YJ, Jeong WC, et al. Paraquat application and respiratory health effects among South Korean farmers. Occup Environ Med 2012;69(6):398-403. https://doi.org/10.1136/oemed-2011-100244
  38. Kim JK. Pesticide usage, should fix this. Bimon Mag Agrochem Plant Prot 1989;10(1):26-30.
  39. Shin J, Roh S. A study of risk factors for the possible cases of acute occupational pesticide poisoning of orchard farmers in some parts of south Chungcheong province. Ann Occup Environ Med 2019;31(1):e35.
  40. Lee J, Ji K, Kim B, Park S, Kim PG. Changes in urinary MDA and 8-OHdG concentrations due to wearing personal protective equipment and performing protective behaviors among agricultural workers in Korea. J Environ Health Sci 2017;43:467-77.
  41. Forey BA, Thornton AJ, Lee PN. Systematic review with meta-analysis of the epidemiological evidence relating smoking to COPD, chronic bronchitis and emphysema. BMC Pulm Med 2011;11(1):36.
  42. Laniado-Laborin R. Smoking and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Parallel epidemics of the 21 century. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2009;6(1):209-24. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph6010209
  43. Halbert RJ, Natoli JL, Gano A, Badamgarav E, Buist AS, Mannino DM. Global burden of COPD: systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur Respir J 2006;28(3):523-32. https://doi.org/10.1183/09031936.06.00124605
  44. Hu G, Zhou Y, Tian J, Yao W, Li J, Li B, et al. Risk of COPD from exposure to biomass smoke: a metaanalysis. Chest 2010;138(1):20-31. https://doi.org/10.1378/chest.08-2114
  45. Insfran-Rivarola A, Tlapa D, Limon-Romero J, Baez-Lopez Y, Miranda-Ackerman M, Arredondo-Soto K, et al. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of food safety and hygiene training on food handlers. Foods 2020;9(9):1169.
  46. Sheikh A, Strachan DP. The hygiene theory: fact or fiction? Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2004;12(3):232-6. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.moo.0000122311.13359.30
  47. Brooks C, Pearce N, Douwes J. The hygiene hypothesis in allergy and asthma: an update. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol 2013;13(1):70-7. https://doi.org/10.1097/ACI.0b013e32835ad0d2
  48. Li CY, Sung FC. A review of the healthy worker effect in occupational epidemiology. Occup Med (Lond) 1999;49(4):225-9. https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/49.4.225