Australian work exposures studies: Occupational exposure to pesticides

© 2016 by the BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.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...

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Main Authors: Jomichen, J., El-Zaemey, S., Heyworth, J., Carey, R., Darcey, E., Reid, Alison, Glass, D., Driscoll, T., Peters, S., Abramson, M., Fritschi, L.
Format: Journal Article
Published: BMJ Group 2016
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/11940
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author Jomichen, J.
El-Zaemey, S.
Heyworth, J.
Carey, R.
Darcey, E.
Reid, Alison
Glass, D.
Driscoll, T.
Peters, S.
Abramson, M.
Fritschi, L.
author_facet Jomichen, J.
El-Zaemey, S.
Heyworth, J.
Carey, R.
Darcey, E.
Reid, Alison
Glass, D.
Driscoll, T.
Peters, S.
Abramson, M.
Fritschi, L.
author_sort Jomichen, J.
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description © 2016 by the BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.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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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-119402017-09-13T14:53:17Z Australian work exposures studies: Occupational exposure to pesticides Jomichen, J. El-Zaemey, S. Heyworth, J. Carey, R. Darcey, E. Reid, Alison Glass, D. Driscoll, T. Peters, S. Abramson, M. Fritschi, L. © 2016 by the BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.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. 2016 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/11940 10.1136/oemed-2016-103723 BMJ Group restricted
spellingShingle Jomichen, J.
El-Zaemey, S.
Heyworth, J.
Carey, R.
Darcey, E.
Reid, Alison
Glass, D.
Driscoll, T.
Peters, S.
Abramson, M.
Fritschi, L.
Australian work exposures studies: Occupational exposure to pesticides
title Australian work exposures studies: Occupational exposure to pesticides
title_full Australian work exposures studies: Occupational exposure to pesticides
title_fullStr Australian work exposures studies: Occupational exposure to pesticides
title_full_unstemmed Australian work exposures studies: Occupational exposure to pesticides
title_short Australian work exposures studies: Occupational exposure to pesticides
title_sort australian work exposures studies: occupational exposure to pesticides
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/11940