Subjective Symptoms of Male Workers Linked to Occupational Pesticide Exposure on Coffee Plantations in the Jarabacoa Region, Dominican Republic

• Main Authors: Hans-Peter Hutter, Michael Kundi, Kathrin Lemmerer, Michael Poteser, Lisbeth Weitensfelder, Peter Wallner, Hanns Moshammer
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2018-09-01
• Series: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Subjects: coffee plantation; occupational health; pesticide; self-reported symptoms; sprayer
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/15/10/2099

Acute and sub-acute effects of pesticide use in coffee farmers have rarely been investigated. In the present field study, self-reported health symptoms from 38 male pesticide users were compared to those of 33 organic farmers. Results of cytological findings have been reported in an accompanying paper in this issue. The present second part of the study comprises a questionnaire based survey for various, potentially pesticide related symptoms among the coffee farmers. Symptom rates were generally higher in exposed workers, reaching significance in nine out of 19 assessed symptoms. Significantly increased symptom frequencies were related to neurotoxicity, parasympathic effects and acetylcholine esterase inhibition, with the highest differences found for excessive salivation, dizziness and stomach ache. We revealed a lack of precautionary measures in the majority of farmers. Better education, regulations, and safety equipment are urgently needed.