Australian work exposures studies: occupational exposure to pesticides

Jasmine Jomichen; Sonia El-Zaemey; Jane S Heyworth; Renee N Carey; Ellie Darcey; Alison Reid; Deborah C Glass; Tim Driscoll; Susan Peters; Michael Abramson; Lin Fritschi

doi:10.1136/oemed-2016-103723

Australian work exposures studies: occupational exposure to pesticides

Jasmine Jomichen, Sonia El-Zaemey, Jane S Heyworth, Renee N Carey, Ellie Darcey, Alison Reid, Deborah C Glass, Tim Driscoll, Susan Peters, Michael Abramson, Lin Fritschi

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Pesticides are widely used in some occupational settings. Some pesticides have been classified as carcinogens; however, data on the number of workers exposed to pesticides are not available in Australia. The main aim of this study was to estimate the current prevalence of pesticide exposure in Australian workplaces.

METHODS: The analysis used data from the Australian Work Exposures Study, a series of nationwide telephone surveys which investigated work-related prevalence and exposure to carcinogens and asthmagens, including pesticides, among current Australian workers. Information about the respondents' current job and various demographic factors was collected in a telephone interview using the web-based tool OccIDEAS. Workers were considered exposed to pesticides if they reported applying or mixing pesticides in their current job.

RESULTS: Of the 10 371 respondents, 410 (4%) respondents were assessed as being exposed to pesticides in the workplace, with exposure being more likely among males, individuals born in Australia, individuals with lower education level and those residing in regional or remote areas. Glyphosate was the most common active ingredient used by workers.

CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to describe the prevalence of occupational pesticide exposure in Australia and one of the few recent studies internationally.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	46-51
Number of pages	6
Journal	Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Volume	74
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1136/oemed-2016-103723
Publication status	Published - Jan 2017
Externally published	Yes

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Journal Article

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10.1136/oemed-2016-103723

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title = "Australian work exposures studies: occupational exposure to pesticides",

abstract = "BACKGROUND: Pesticides are widely used in some occupational settings. Some pesticides have been classified as carcinogens; however, data on the number of workers exposed to pesticides are not available in Australia. The main aim of this study was to estimate the current prevalence of pesticide exposure in Australian workplaces.METHODS: The analysis used data from the Australian Work Exposures Study, a series of nationwide telephone surveys which investigated work-related prevalence and exposure to carcinogens and asthmagens, including pesticides, among current Australian workers. Information about the respondents' current job and various demographic factors was collected in a telephone interview using the web-based tool OccIDEAS. Workers were considered exposed to pesticides if they reported applying or mixing pesticides in their current job.RESULTS: Of the 10 371 respondents, 410 (4%) respondents were assessed as being exposed to pesticides in the workplace, with exposure being more likely among males, individuals born in Australia, individuals with lower education level and those residing in regional or remote areas. Glyphosate was the most common active ingredient used by workers.CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to describe the prevalence of occupational pesticide exposure in Australia and one of the few recent studies internationally.",

keywords = "Journal Article",

author = "Jasmine Jomichen and Sonia El-Zaemey and Heyworth, {Jane S} and Carey, {Renee N} and Ellie Darcey and Alison Reid and Glass, {Deborah C} and Tim Driscoll and Susan Peters and Michael Abramson and Lin Fritschi",

note = "Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.",

year = "2017",

month = jan,

doi = "10.1136/oemed-2016-103723",

language = "English",

volume = "74",

pages = "46--51",

journal = "Occupational and Environmental Medicine",

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publisher = "BMJ Publishing Group",

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T1 - Australian work exposures studies

T2 - occupational exposure to pesticides

AU - Jomichen, Jasmine

AU - El-Zaemey, Sonia

AU - Heyworth, Jane S

AU - Carey, Renee N

AU - Darcey, Ellie

AU - Reid, Alison

AU - Glass, Deborah C

AU - Driscoll, Tim

AU - Peters, Susan

AU - Abramson, Michael

AU - Fritschi, Lin

N1 - Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.

PY - 2017/1

Y1 - 2017/1

N2 - BACKGROUND: Pesticides are widely used in some occupational settings. Some pesticides have been classified as carcinogens; however, data on the number of workers exposed to pesticides are not available in Australia. The main aim of this study was to estimate the current prevalence of pesticide exposure in Australian workplaces.METHODS: The analysis used data from the Australian Work Exposures Study, a series of nationwide telephone surveys which investigated work-related prevalence and exposure to carcinogens and asthmagens, including pesticides, among current Australian workers. Information about the respondents' current job and various demographic factors was collected in a telephone interview using the web-based tool OccIDEAS. Workers were considered exposed to pesticides if they reported applying or mixing pesticides in their current job.RESULTS: Of the 10 371 respondents, 410 (4%) respondents were assessed as being exposed to pesticides in the workplace, with exposure being more likely among males, individuals born in Australia, individuals with lower education level and those residing in regional or remote areas. Glyphosate was the most common active ingredient used by workers.CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to describe the prevalence of occupational pesticide exposure in Australia and one of the few recent studies internationally.

AB - BACKGROUND: Pesticides are widely used in some occupational settings. Some pesticides have been classified as carcinogens; however, data on the number of workers exposed to pesticides are not available in Australia. The main aim of this study was to estimate the current prevalence of pesticide exposure in Australian workplaces.METHODS: The analysis used data from the Australian Work Exposures Study, a series of nationwide telephone surveys which investigated work-related prevalence and exposure to carcinogens and asthmagens, including pesticides, among current Australian workers. Information about the respondents' current job and various demographic factors was collected in a telephone interview using the web-based tool OccIDEAS. Workers were considered exposed to pesticides if they reported applying or mixing pesticides in their current job.RESULTS: Of the 10 371 respondents, 410 (4%) respondents were assessed as being exposed to pesticides in the workplace, with exposure being more likely among males, individuals born in Australia, individuals with lower education level and those residing in regional or remote areas. Glyphosate was the most common active ingredient used by workers.CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to describe the prevalence of occupational pesticide exposure in Australia and one of the few recent studies internationally.

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DO - 10.1136/oemed-2016-103723

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SN - 1351-0711

VL - 74

SP - 46

EP - 51

JO - Occupational and Environmental Medicine

JF - Occupational and Environmental Medicine

IS - 1

ER -

Australian work exposures studies: occupational exposure to pesticides

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