제  목 : Pesticide Users and their Health
  일  자 : 1998년 08월
  제공처 : Internet

      Pesticide Users and their Health
      Results of HSE's 1996/97 feasibility study
      ============================================

  ㅇ Why was the study done?

  ㅇ How was the study done?

  ㅇ What were the results?

  ㅇ Were there any other findings?

  ㅇ What is HSE going to do next?

  ㅇ How do I find out more?

   Why was the study done?
   -----------------------

The Government has a scheme for ensuring pesticide products are tested and
approved as safe for use before they are put on the market. As a further check
government departments monitor use, in case of any unexpected adverse health
effects of products on the market.

The aim of this feasibility study was to identify a group of people who work
with pesticides and see if they would be able to help with this monitoring
process.

   How was the study done?
   -----------------------

HSE based the study on a group of agricultural pesticide users who have
certificates of competence. They had already given permission for HSE to
access information about them on a database held by the National Proficiency
Tests Council (NPTC).

The study had two main parts. First, in late 1996, HSE sent questionnaires to
4000 people on the NPTC database, asking about their pesticide usage and
health. And second, the records of 400 of them were matched with records at
the NHS Central Register to see if their health could be followed up over time

   What were the results?
   ----------------------

The study concluded that pesticide users on the NPTC database would be a very
good group for basing future research.

Half of the 4000 people in the survey returned the postal questionnaire,
despite its length (20 pages) and the fact that, for some, it came at a busy
time of year.

Over 90 per cent of those who returned questionnaires said they had used
pesticides at some time in their working life. Of these, three-quarters had
used some pesticides in the past year.

The number and type of pesticides they used varied a lot. For example, 10 per
cent had used more than 30 different products in the past year. Roughly equal
numbers worked in farming, for local authorities and in other sectors.

Most people said they were prepared to take part in a follow-up survey and
gave consent for HSE to approach their employers and doctors.

These further surveys took place in 1997, and over 80 per cent of people
responded. The results suggested that individuals tended to give a fuller
account of pesticide usage than their employers; and that from their records
doctors were normally not able to either confirm or contradict a user's
opinion that pesticides had made them ill.

The second part of the study also went well. The NHS Central Register
successfully matched 99 per cent of the NPTC records HSE sent to it.

   Were there any other findings?
   ------------------------------

In the course of investigating the use of the database for future research,
the study also aimed to measure how often pesticide users felt they were made
ill by their work. These results refer to ill-health which the users
themselves thought was related to pesticide use.

Overall, 5 per cent of current users reported having at least one symptom in
the past year which they thought was caused by using pesticides at work and
about which they had consulted a doctor. A wider definition, including
symptoms thought to be made worse by pesticides or about which a doctor had
not been consulted, raised this to 15 per cent. Most of the symptoms were not
serious; the most common was headache.

The study also asked users what personal protective equipment (PPE) they
normally wore. Those who wore PPE were less likely to say they had symptoms
related to using pesticides, especially if they used pesticides a lot.

Finally, the study asked pesticide users about any 'chronic' ill-health
conditions they had suffered during their working life. Initial analysis of
these has revealed very few cases of cancers, nerve problems or 'syndromes'
sometimes thought to be linked to pesticide use.

   What is HSE going to do next?
   -----------------------------

Following the success of this study, HSE will be taking several steps to
develop the NPTC database for future research into pesticide users' health.

First, HSE plans to increase the number of people matched at the NHS Central
Register. The eventual aim will be to cover all the people on the NPTC
database who have agreed to co-operate with HSE.

Second, HSE will run a series of surveys to find out whether people on the
database are current pesticide users and to assess their past usage. And
third, we will set up a new database, updated with information from the NPTC,
the NHS Central Register and the usage surveys.

We will make this database available, with confidentiality safeguards, to
medical researchers in HSE, other government departments and outside
organisations. They have already suggested several ideas for research : for
example, to look into any chronic effects of long-term low level exposure to
organophosphate pesticides.

HSE inspectors will continue to expect management and people working with
pesticides to meet the standards required by all relevant regulations,
including those related to the use of PPE and other risk control measures.

   How do I find out more?
   ------------------------

We hope that this leaflet gives the results which are of most interest to
participants in the feasibility study and to other pesticide users and their
employers.

HSE has produced a more detailed report on the results of the study and plans
next year to publish a technical paper containing further statistical analysis
of the results. If you would be interested in seeing either of these
documents, or have other questions about the results or other issues raised by
this leaflet, please contact the study's freephone 'helpline' number  0800
592450.

The success of this study is due in no small part to the co-operation of
pesticide users and their employers. HSE is confident that future research -
which will also depend on voluntary participation - will have the benefit of a
similar level of goodwill.

   This publication may be freely reproduced, except for advertising,
   endorsement or commercial purposes. The information is current at
         6/98. Please acknowledge the source as HSE.