Risk of chemical-caused illness among farmers on upward swing, study finds

[webfact]

Risk of chemical-caused illness among farmers on upward swing, study finds

By The Nation

 

File photo Credit FB: Thailand Pesticide Alert Network (Thai-PAN)

 

THE PERCENTAGE of farmers at risk of developing health problems from their farm chemicals has risen over the past few years, according to the results of a large-scale study.

 

“It’s up from 30.94 per cent in 2012 to 34.84 per cent in 2016,” Dr Chantana Padungtod said earlier this week, speaking in her capacity as the head of the Disease Control Department’s Bureau of Occupational and Environmental Diseases. 

 

The 2016 monitoring operation conducted blood tests for 418,672 farmers across 72 provinces. Through interviews with the farmers, researchers were able to identify those at “high” or “quite high” risk. This group with was then subjected to blood tests. 

 

“Of those tested, 153,905 were found to have risks of developing health issues,” she said. 

 

The blood tests used reactive paper to determine if a farmer’s level of the enzyme cholinesterase had dropped. A person’s cholinesterase level will fall if herbicides such as organophosphate or carbamate have entered their body.

 

Organophosphate and carbamate affect the vitally important central and peripheral nervous systems, and also muscles. 

 

“Common symptoms of exposure are difficulty breathing, vomiting, hands shaking and cramp,” Chantana explained. 

 

She urged farmers to avoid overusing herbicide and pesticides because they cause double damage – to their finances and then their health. 

 

“Farmers will have to spend money for chemical purchases. Later on, they will also develop health problems from chemical exposure,” she said. 

 

Chantana added that farmers’ exposure to harmful chemicals signalled that consumers might be affected too. 

 

“Farm chemicals may contaminate crops as well as the environment,” she said. 

 

Recent reports indicated that there was a high concentration of paraquat – a widely used herbicide – in Nong Bua Lamphu province and that it could be related to several cases of necrotising fasciitis, or “flesh-eating” disease, in the area. 

 

The Hazardous Substance Control Committee will decide on whether to ban paraquat and chlorpyrifos, and to restrict the use of glyphosate at its meeting on May 23. Use of these chemicals is currently widespread in the country’s agricultural sector. 

 

Chantana also noted that farmers face other health risks related to their occupation. 

 

“For example, they are at risk of catching diseases that can be transmitted by animals, such as leptospirosis and bird flu,” she pointed out. As well, long exposure to hot weather can cause heat stroke, which is sometimes fatal. Also, farmers are vulnerable to developing back injuries and pain while working in fields.

 

Despite its romantic image, the history of stress-related illnesses in farming reflects its high level of financial stress from declining crop prices and poverty. “In serious cases, they may suffer depression and attempt suicide,” said Chantana.

 

As well, farmers suffer a relatively high risk of accident from handling agricultural machinery and climbing trees.

 

The Disease Control Department has been supporting primary healthcare units and tambon-level hospitals in assessing farmers’ risks and recommending advice, she said.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30345384

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-05-15

[kannot]

None of them round here wear anything in the way of protective clothing and there is a mindset of "more" chemical is "even better" so application rates are often wrong. 

Basically NO education and the "normal" haphazard mai pen rai way of life all contribute to the "real reason" they end up  being ill, simple as  that.

[YetAnother]

47 minutes ago, webfact said:

She urged farmers to avoid overusing herbicide and pesticides because they cause double damage – to their finances and then their health. 

 

“Farmers will have to spend money for chemical purchases. Later on, they will also develop health problems from chemical exposure,” she said. 

 

Chantana added that farmers’ exposure to harmful chemicals signalled that consumers might be affected too. 

 

“Farm chemicals may contaminate crops as well as the environment,” she said. 

isn't that a _itch , with a leading 'b'; paying money to contaminate/poison oneself, family,friends...

[harada]

49 minutes ago, kannot said:

None of them round here wear anything in the way of protective clothing and there is a mindset of "more" chemical is "even better" so application rates are often wrong. 

Basically NO education and the "normal" haphazard mai pen rai way of life all contribute to the "real reason" they end up  being ill, simple as  that.

Surgical mask, mai pen rai.

[assayer]

The Hazardous Substance Control Committee will decide on whether to ban paraquat and chlorpyrifos, and to restrict the use of glyphosate at its meeting on May 23. Use of these chemicals is currently widespread in the country’s agricultural sector. 

Just a few days ago Paraquat was said to be safe by a group of "Doctors" , wonder who is correct?

[smedly]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Risk of chemical-caused illness among farmers on upward swing, study finds

now there is a worthy cause for protest in a land of mega protests ………...and yet nothing much

[mok199]

yes and what about the air we breath and the food we eat,our beaches etc etc..this kingdom,which was a paradise not long ago is becoming a toxic wasteland..thailands answer to this..'''build another mall'',in a country more concerned with ''saving face'',than ''saving lives''..

[mikebell]

8 minutes ago, mok199 said:

yes and what about the air we breath and the food we eat,our beaches etc etc..this country is becoming toxic

Totally agree with you; just look at the black smoke pouring out of vehicles which authorities allow on the road.  There's no servicing/maintenance until it stops working - meanwhile pedestrians/motor cyclists get it in the face.  Look at the haze over Bangkok and the burning season hasn't started yet!

[uffe123]

When the government still allows the use of the deadly pesticide paraquat, what can you expect. My cousin, a farmer all his life, 53 years old just died from pesticide poisoning. 

Who cares, just another peasant. TIT 

[uffe123]

Just check the daily air quality in Bangkok area. Everyday 50% to 100% over the WHO limits.

[robertthesculptor]

And it will and does show in an upswing of problems in the Thai community. But they will not tell you that as all they care about is the money. Not the people. 

[Kasset Tak]

Much of the agrochemicals that are banned in EU and US but still used in Thailand and developing countries are produced EU and US... this is all in the name of greed!!!

[Rally123]

8 minutes ago, Kasset Tak said:

Much of the agrochemicals that are banned in EU and US but still used in Thailand and developing countries are produced EU and US... this is all in the name of greed!!!

Well may be the EU & the US should ban the export of the likes of Paraquat etc? Easy enough for them to ban chemical weapons.

[Kasset Tak]

2 minutes ago, Rally123 said:

Well may be the EU & the US should ban the export of the likes of Paraquat etc? Easy enough for them to ban chemical weapons.

Hopefully Paraquat will be banned in Thailand this year. I know that it's on the table in MoA to ban several chemicals, the problem now is that a big conglomerate is pushing for not banning them and frankly, the fact that the owner of a large chain of convenient stores in Thailand have their fingers in too many cookie jars is hurting the rest of Thailand's agriculture!

No names mentioned... we don't want to be subjects of any libel charges!

[worgeordie]

Just last week a group of "Experts" were saying that Paraquat was not harmful

to the farmers health, and a couple of weeks before that another group of "Experts"

were saying it is very harmful,I suppose one group of "Experts" were paid by the

company that makes it,guess which group of "Experts" that is.

Regards Worgeordie

[kannot]

4 hours ago, assayer said:

The Hazardous Substance Control Committee will decide on whether to ban paraquat and chlorpyrifos, and to restrict the use of glyphosate at its meeting on May 23. Use of these chemicals is currently widespread in the country’s agricultural sector. 

Just a few days ago Paraquat was said to be safe by a group of "Doctors" , wonder who is correct?

i spot  treat weeds on 5  rai with this whereas I see others  use glyphosate and just spray the entire land area using way more chemicals  than I do, I hope they dont ban it based on the "suicide/homicide" reason.

[sawadee1947]

wow, how amazing. Someone was reading international surveys and reports????

It's known for many decades already. I lost a friend by a special kind of leukemia, called farmer's cancer.

[Damrongsak]

I worked with farmers 40+ years ago as a Peace Corp volunteer.  Insecticides and pesticides?  OMG!!!

 

My Mom's home area in central Ohio, USA,  is farm country. Lots of old farmer relatives and friends dying of cancer of various sorts.  Hmmm ....

[barefootbangkok]

Poor farmers barely eke out a living as it is. If they don't use insecticides, their crops will fail.  If they do, they poison themselves and the people that consume their produce.  

[marko kok prong]

During my years running a pest control buisness in Australia and despite wearing all the proper protective gear,accidents happen,spray heads blow off hoses,wind changes blow spray on you pumps and seals break down or perish.If you work with these substances it is inevitable you will have exposure to them,even following all the rules and wearing all the protective gear.

  Thai farmers think that a surgejical mask and socks under sandals will help,they won't.