Farmers are constantly exposed to the hazards of agrochemicals. Especially those who regularly spray their fields with pesticides are at high risk of being contracted with pesticideinduced maladies.
During the three-year period from 1980 to 1982, health examinations were conducted, covering a total of 1, 164 pesticide sprayers in eight rural communities, Miye Prefecture. Of the number, 869 were women. Mercury residues in hair were also measured.
The findings are as follows:
1. Abnormal lipid metabolism topped the list of disorders, followed by hypertension, ECG abnormalities, anemia, albuminuria and liver dysfunction in that order.
2. The rates of detection of these abnormalities were not particularly high as compared with those in ordinary health checkups.
3. When compared with previous findings, the cases of abnormal lipid metabolism and anemia decreased in number both in men and women, whereas the cases of abnormal cholinesterase activities and albuminuria increased in both sexes.
4. The majority of pesticides used by the farmers were organophosphorous.
5. The average level of mercury residues in hair was 5.35 ppm for men and 2.97 for women. 6. More than 6.0 ppm of mercury were detected in 23.1 % of the men and 1.9% of the women. None were found to carry more than 20 ppm of mercury in their hair.