Working conditions
Risk factors for occupational illnesses (01.01.95)
Weinbaum Z, Samuels SJ, and Schenker MB, Risk factors for occupational illnesses associated with the use of paraquat (1,1’-dimethyl-4,4’-bipyridylium di-chloride) in California, Archives of Environmental Health 50(5), 341-348, 1995
Between 1971 and 1985 in California 231 cases of illness due to paraquat were reported, averaging about 14 per year on average (with a range between 1 and 33). Workers were also exposed to other pesticides besides paraquat in 23.8% of cases. 38.5% or the majority of illness cases associated with paraquat were systemic with symptoms of acute poisoning (such as dizziness, nausea, headache and vomiting) and respiratory symptoms (such as chest pains or shortness of breath). In 32% of cases eye injuries and in 26% skin illnesses occurred. Local respiratory symptoms (soar throat, nosebleed) accounted for 3.5% of cases. Most illness cases (39.1%) occurred during handling of spray equipment (by cleaning, due to a malfunction such as leakage or splashes during loading). One third of illnesses were due to various factors including 12.4 % environmental causes (e.g. change of wind, spray drift), 11% accidents and 7.1% accidental contact with paraquat during the spraying or handling. 55 of the 231 cases were associated with loss of workdays (averaging 2 days, range 1 to 30 days). 11 patients were hospitalised, in ten of these cases due to systemic poisoning (the average duration of hospitalisation was 7 days, range 1 to 17 days). Between 1981 and 1985 the rate of paraquat-related illness cases associated with manual spraying was 18 times higher than with general ground application. Other factors with a higher risk of illness were the crop type (risk was especially high for fruit trees) and season. The higher illness rates in summer may arise from less protective clothing being worn, different physiological response or increased paraquat absorption at higher temperatures.
Between 1971 and 1985 in California 231 cases of illness due to paraquat were reported, averaging about 14 per year on average (with a range between 1 and 33). Workers were also exposed to other pesticides besides paraquat in 23.8% of cases. 38.5% or the majority of illness cases associated with paraquat were systemic with symptoms of acute poisoning (such as dizziness, nausea, headache and vomiting) and respiratory symptoms (such as chest pains or shortness of breath). In 32% of cases eye injuries and in 26% skin illnesses occurred. Local respiratory symptoms (soar throat, nosebleed) accounted for 3.5% of cases. Most illness cases (39.1%) occurred during handling of spray equipment (by cleaning, due to a malfunction such as leakage or splashes during loading). One third of illnesses were due to various factors including 12.4 % environmental causes (e.g. change of wind, spray drift), 11% accidents and 7.1% accidental contact with paraquat during the spraying or handling. 55 of the 231 cases were associated with loss of workdays (averaging 2 days, range 1 to 30 days). 11 patients were hospitalised, in ten of these cases due to systemic poisoning (the average duration of hospitalisation was 7 days, range 1 to 17 days). Between 1981 and 1985 the rate of paraquat-related illness cases associated with manual spraying was 18 times higher than with general ground application. Other factors with a higher risk of illness were the crop type (risk was especially high for fruit trees) and season. The higher illness rates in summer may arise from less protective clothing being worn, different physiological response or increased paraquat absorption at higher temperatures.
