Changes needed to reduce migrant farm worker exposure to ...( our study said Arcury and Quandt. Ag...),Health

The researchers said that farm worker families have little knowledge about pesticide exposure or how to reduce their risk. "The only official safety training most farm workers receive is based on the Worker Protection Standard, which gives scant attention to residential exposure," said Quandt. "In addition, not all workers received this required training, and those who do don't always receive the full training."

The researchers said that multiple changes will be required to reduce exposure and health risks. They said farm workers need:

• Access to safe housing located away from agricultural fields.
• Laundry equipment to remove pesticides from work clothes.
• The ability to shower and change into clean clothes at work.
• Sufficient clothing to wear clean clothes daily.
• Full pesticide training as required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

In addition, changes in agricultural practices are needed so that pesticides applied to fields do not enter farm worker homes. "Many of these workers and their families live in dilapidated rental housing with antiquated heating systems, ill-fitting windows and doors, and old septic systems," said Arcury. "Many of these houses are surrounded by agricultural fields."

In North Carolina, more than 100,000 mostly Mexican natives work on farms. They are either permanent residents or migrate to the state. On these farms, pesticides are used to improve the production of such crops as tobacco, vegetables, fruits and Christmas trees.

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Contact: Karen Richardson or Shannon Koontz
krchrdsn@wfubmc.edu
336-716-4453
Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center
11-Dec-2003