Exposure to organophosphate (OP) pesticides and health status in workers from Maule, Chile.

A large body of scientific evidence supports the existence of both acute and chronic effects of exposure to organophosphate (OP) pesticides, the most commonly used in chemicals for agricultural pest control, in agricultural workers. The main objective of this study was to characterize the exposure to OP pesticides and health status of agricultural and other workers from the Maule Region. Secondarily, variables related to pesticide poisoning symptoms were evaluated in the group of agricultural workers. An occupational health questionnaire was administered in 207 agricultural and non-agricultural workers. For the group of agricultural workers we asked about specific occupational exposure history and symptoms of OP pesticide poisoning. The main health problem of the exposed group was previous OP pesticide poisoning (p <0.001). Fifty-six percent of agricultural workers reported symptoms consistent with acute OP pesticide poisoning. The use of respiratory personal protective equipment and younger age were protective against these symptoms, and number of years of OP pesticide exposure was positively associated with reporting symptoms of poisoning. Of the pesticide applicators 47% reported using chlorpyrifos. The majority (75%) of pesticide applicators reported that they know the risks of applying pesticides, although only 50% reported receiving training on those risks. With respect to best practices, 91% of applicators used manual backpack sprayers, 50% used a motorized knapsack; 44% cleaned their equipment in a specially equipped location, with the other 56% cleaning their equipment in the yard, orchard or irrigation canals; 70% stored pesticides in a warehouse, The regulations regarding use and application of pesticides should be strengthened, as should training and intervention with workers to improve the use of personal protective equipment.