The residue levels of three kinds of organochlorines, BHC, DDT and PCB, in the serum were determined in farmers (40-59 years old, n=211), non-farmars (40-59 years old, n =27) and high school students (15-18 years old, n=56) to clarify the factors that contributed to the accumulation of those three compounds in the blood of farmers and rural inhabitants. The average values of those compounds were found to be 9.1±5.0 ppb for B-BHC, 9.2±6.3 ppb for pp'-DDE and 7.1 ±5.7 ppb for PCB. There was marked difference in the value between districts in which the subjects live. The subjects could be divided into the lower concentration group and higher concentration group, showing high discrimination ratio (72-83%) by Hayashi's quantification theory II. Statistical analysis showed that the factors contributing to the accumnlation of those compounds in the present subjects are related with digestion of chicken and fish, Hb concentration, serum cholinesterase activity, liver function and serum trigliceride and cholesterol levels, and use of organochlorines and other pesticides, duration and the mumber of days of pesticide spraying, experience of pesticide poisoing, cultivation of specific crops. Those results, in greater part, supported the general recognition that organochlorine residues in human body might be regulated by changning eating patterns and avoiding those food items containing those chemical compounds. On the other hand, attention should be focused on the exposure of those compounds through the use of specific pesticides including those compounds. And further investigation is necessary for clarifying the contributing factors to the accumulation of those compounds in human body especially in the higher residue group discriminated in the present study.

The outbreak of skin hazards from okra cultivation was studied by a field survey. About a half (46.2 %) of 186 workers investigated (male, 76 ; female, 110) reported to have experienced pastly or annually skin hazards from okra cultivation.The sites of lesion complained were mostly the arms (47.5%), neck (41.3%), fingers (32.5%) and so forth in total number. The degree of lesions were generally itching (85.0%) and flare (61.3%), but severe cases like vanishing fingerprints (16.3%) and fissures on the fingers (11.3 %) were also revealed. Portion of okra responsible for skin hazards seemed to be mainly leaves, trichomes and pods.
Positive patch test reactions with preparations of immature okra pods in 46 workers (male, 12 ; female, 34), compared to 112 control subjects (male, 84 ; female, 28), were significantly higher in okra workers than in controls, which were 25% in males and 20% in total group.
These results show that okra components cause irritant contact dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis as well.

Statistical analyses were made on a total of 242 clinical cases of skin disordersfrom agricultural chemicals in Japanese farmers, using data recorded by physicians on standard forms in 41 hospitals and other medical institutions during the 1982-89 period. The majority of the cases were acute dermatitis (72.3%), followed by chronic dermatitis (19.0%), chemical burns (7.4%) and photosensitive dermatitis (2.1%). Organophosporus insecticides were the most frequent inducer of occupational skin lesions (24.8%), followed by sulfur fungicides (20.7%), polyhaloalkylthio-fungicides (16.1%), and soil disinfectants (7.9%). Main factors contributing to the onset of skin lesions were insufficient clothing on the part of users (46.7%), carelessness (21.9%), unsuitable weather (strong wind) (9.9%) and so forth. Epidemiological features such as sex, age, season, complications, affected sites and prognoses were also analyzed and discussed.

A total of 630 clinical cases of occupational skin disorder from agricultural chemicals werestatistically analyzed in Japanese farmers who were recorded by physicians on a standard form from41 hospitals and other medical institutions during the 1972-81 period. The majority of the cases wereacute dermatitis (66.7%). This was followed by chronic dermatitis (24.3%), chemical burns (8.4%) andphotosensitive dermatitis (2.2%). By type to chemicals, the number one skin hazard was sulfurfungicides (32.2%), followed by organophosphorus insecticides (28.6%), polyhaloalkylthio-fungicides (11.4%), and copper fungicides (7.1%). Factors contributing to the onset of any disorder of the skinwere mainly defenseless on the part of users (41.3%), carelessness (20.2%), poor health condition(14.6%), and so forth. Other epidemiological features by sex, age, season, complications, sites of skindisorder, prognosis, etc. were also analyzed and discussed.