Associations between pesticide use and respiratory symptoms: A cross-sectional study in Southern Ghana

• Published in: Environmental research 2016-10, Vol.150, p.245-254
• Main Authors: Quansah, Reginald, Bend, John R., Abdul-Rahaman, Abukari, Armah, Frederick Ato, Luginaah, Isaac, Essumang, David Kofi, Iddi, Samuel, Chevrier, Jonathan, Cobbina, Samuel Jerry, Nketiah-Amponsah, Edward, Adu-Kumi, Samuel, Darko, Godfred, Afful, Samuel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Cross-Sectional Studies; ELECTRON-CAPTURE DETECTORS; Environmental Exposure; ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; Farmer; FARMS; Female; FUMIGANTS; FUNGICIDES; Ghana; Ghana - epidemiology; Humans; INSECTICIDES; Male; Middle Aged; Occupational Exposure; ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS; Organochlorine; Pesticide; Pesticide Residues - toxicity; Pesticide Residues - urine; Pesticides - toxicity; Pesticides - urine; Prevalence; Pyrethroid; RESPIRATION; Respiratory symptom; Respiratory Tract Diseases - chemically induced; Respiratory Tract Diseases - epidemiology; SYMPTOMS; VEGETABLES; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0013-9351; 1096-0953
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2016.06.013

Indiscriminate use of pesticides is a common practice amongst farmers in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMIC) across the globe. However, there is little evidence defining whether pesticide use is associated with respiratory symptoms. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 300 vegetable farmers in southern Ghana (Akumadan). Data on pesticide use was collected with an interviewed-administered questionnaire. The concentration of seven organochlorine pesticides and 3 pyrethroid pesticides was assayed in urine collected from a sub-population of 100 vegetable farmers by a gas chromatograph equipped with an electron capture detector (GC-ECD). A statistically significant exposure-response relationship of years per day spent mixing/applying fumigant with wheezing [30–60 days/year: prevalence ratio (PR)=1.80 (95% CI 1.30, 2.50); >60days/year: 3.25 (1.70–6.33), p for trend=0.003] and hours per day spent mixing/applying fumigant with wheezing [1–2h/day: 1.20 (1.02–1.41), 3–5h/day: 1.45 (1.05–1.99), >5h/day: 1.74 (1.07–2.81), p for trend=0.0225]; days per year spent mixing/applying fungicide with wheezing [30–60 days/year: 2.04 (1.31–3.17); >60days/year: 4.16 (1.72–10.08), p for trend=0.0017] and h per day spent mixing/applying fungicide with phlegm production [1–2h/day: 1.25 (1.05–1.47), 3–5h/day: 1.55 (1.11–2.17), >5h/day: 1.93 (1.17–3.19), p for trend=0.0028] and with wheezing [1–2h/day: 1.10 (1.00–1.50), 3–5h/day: 1.20 (1.11–1.72), >5h/day: 1.32 (1.09–2.53), p for trend=0.0088]; h per day spent mixing/applying insecticide with phlegm production [1–2h/day: 1.23 (1.09–1.62), 3–5h/day: 1.51 (1.20–2.58), >5h/day: 1.85 (1.31–4.15), p for trend=0.0387] and wheezing [1–2h/day: 1.22 (1.02–1.46), 3–5h/day: 1.49 (1.04–2.12), >5h/day: 1.81 (1.07–3.08), p for trend=0.0185] were observed. Statistically significant exposure-response association was also observed for a combination of activities that exposes farmers to pesticide with all 3 respiratory symptoms. Furthermore, significant exposure-response associations for 3 organochlorine insecticides: beta-HCH, heptachlor and endosulfan sulfate were noted. In conclusion, vegetable farmers in Ghana may be at increased risk for respiratory symptoms as a result of exposure to pesticides. •Indiscriminate use of pesticides is common amongst farmers in Low and Middle Income Countries.•We examined associations between pesticide use and respiratory symptoms.•The concentration of organochlorine and pyrethroid pesticides was assayed