Dermatitis in Ecuadorean farm workers

Using a cross‐sectional survey of potato farm workers in northern Ecuador, we examined the relationship between pesticide exposure and skin disorders, From a farm population census, all pesticide applicators and 1/2 of exposed field workers were selected. Controls were age‐matched from urban occupations. Individual exposure measures included overall years and current hours working with pesticides. Farm‐level measures included numbers of applications over the last 6 months and an application practices score (range 0–4). Each participant underwent a clinical skin examination, with patch tests to maneb on a sample of dermatitis cases. Exposure‐related increase in conjunctivitis (7% of applicators, 0% in other groups), dermatitis (68% of exposed and 55%. of applicators versus 31% of controls. p < 0.001) and pigmentation disorders (25% of exposed and applicators vs 10%, controls. p=0.0.06) were found. Among dermatitis cases (n=117). 5% were positive to maneb on patch testing. In logistic regression analysts, significant predictors (p < 0.1) of dermatitis included years using fungicides (OR=1.12 per year) and poor application practices (OR=1.42 per score unit). Agricultural fungicide application in high‐exposure situations can contribute to dermatitis prevalence among farm populations.

Dermatitis in Ecuadorean farm workers Journal Articles