Total Pesticide Exposure Calculation among Vegetable Farmers in Benguet, Philippines

Abstract EN

This was a cross-sectional study that investigated pesticide exposure and its risk factors targeting vegetable farmers selected through cluster sampling.

The sampling size calculated with P=.05 was 211 vegetable farmers and 37 farms.

The mean usage of pesticide was 21.35 liters.

Risk factors included damaged backpack sprayer (34.7%), spills on hands (31.8%), and spraying against the wind (58%).

The top 3 pesticides used were pyrethroid (46.4%), organophosphates (24.2%), and carbamates (21.3%).

Those who were exposed to fungicides and insecticides also had higher total pesticide exposure.

Furthermore, a farmer who was a pesticide applicator, mixer, loader, and who had not been given instructions through training was at risk of having higher pesticide exposure.

The most prevalent symptoms were headache (64.1%), muscle pain (61.1%), cough (45.5%), weakness (42.4%), eye pain (39.9%), chest pain (37.4%), and eye redness (33.8%).

The data can be used for the formulation of an integrated program on safety and health in the vegetable industry.