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Health Symptoms Associated with Pesticides Exposure among Flower and Onion Pesticide Applicators in Arusha Region Cover

Health Symptoms Associated with Pesticides Exposure among Flower and Onion Pesticide Applicators in Arusha Region

Annals of Global Health
Volume 84 (2018): Issue 3
By: Suten Geofrey Mwabulambo,  Ezra Jonathan Mrema,  Aiwerasia Vera Ngowi and  Simon Mamuya  
Open Access
|Aug 2018
Figures & tables

Figures & Tables

Table 1

General characteristics of the study participants in flower farms (n = 84) and onion farms (n = 56) in Arusha Region.

CharacteristicsFlower farms (%)Onion farms (%)
Age (in years)
18 and below05.4
19–2836.957.1
29–3852.426.8
39 and above10.710.7
Level of education
No formal education7.15.4
Primary education78.683.9
Secondary education14.310.7
Employment
On contract95.21.8
Casual4.894.6
Self-employed03.6
Attended training on pesticide
Yes86.90
No13.1100
Work experience (in years)
<13.633.9
1–577.450.1
6–1016.77.1
>112.48.9
Work duration (hours per day)
<810042.9
>8057.1
Table 2

Relationship between Demographic factors and AChE Test.

Demographic factorsAChE test limit in onion (N = 56)AChE test limit in flower (N = 84)
AChE within normal rangeAChE below normal rangeP ValueAChE within normal rangeAChE below normal rangeP Value
Age group
<181(33.3%)2(66.7%)0(0.0%)0(0.0%)
19–2819(59.4%)13(40.6%)0.79524(77.4%)7(22.6%)
29–3810(66.7%)5(33.3%)36(81.2%)8(18.2%)0.785
>394(66.7%)2(33.3%)8(88.9%)1(11.1%)
Education Level
No formal Education2(66.7%)1(33.3%)5(83.3%)1(16.7%)
Primary Education29(61.7%)18(38.3%)0.85455(83.1%)11(16.7%)0.294
Secondary Education3(50.0%)3(50.0%)8(66.7%)4(33.3%)
Work experience (in years)
<111(57.9%)8(42.1%)3 (100%)0(0.0%)
1–517(60.7%)11(39.3%)1.00051(78.5%)14(21.5%)
6–103(75.0%)1(25.0%)13(92.9%)1(7.1%)0.276
>113(60.0%)2(40.0%)1(50.0%)1(50.0%)
Table 3

The list of pesticides used in flowers fields.

Trade name of pesticideName of the active substance(s)ClassType of PesticideApproved usesReference on health effects
AmsacIndoxacarb 14.50%IIInsecticideFor the control of African boll worm on vegetableUS EPA
MerpanCaptan 50%IIIFungicideFor the control of powdery mildew on flowers.Strivastava and Kesavachandran
GolanAcetamiprid 50%IIInsecticideFor the control of aphids, thrips, leaf minor & flea beetle on flowersUS EPA
IpponIprodione 50%IIIFungicideFor the control of botrytis on flowers.US EPA
ImpulseSpiroxamine 50%IIFungicideFor the control of powdery mildew on flowers.US EPA
OrtivaAzoxystrobin 35%IVFungicideFor the control of rust, botrytis & downy mildew on flowers.Strivastava and Kesavachandran
Previcur energyFosetyl-aluminium + propamocarb 310 g/lIIIFungicideFor the control of botrytis, pythium & phytophthora on flowers.Strivastava and Kesavachandran
Previcur NPropamocarb hydrochloride 722 g/lIIIFungicideFor the control of downy mildew on flowers.Strivastava and Kesavachandran
Proplant SLPropamocarb hydrochloride 722 g/lIIIFungicideFor the control of downy mildew on flowers.Strivastava and Kesavachandran
Ridomil GoldMancozeb 64%+ metalaxil 4%IVFungicideFor the control of downy mildew on grape.Strivastava and Kesavachandran
Tracer 480 SCSpinosad 480%IIIInsecticideFor the control of thrips and leaf miners on flowersUS EPA
Round-upGlyphosate 420 g/lIVHerbicideFor the control of annual & perennial weeds
TeldorFenhexamid 50%IIIFungicideFor the control of Botrytis on flowers.Strivastava and Kesavachandran
Scala SCPyrimethanil 400 g/lIVFungicideFor the control of Botrytis on flowers.Strivastava and Kesavachandran
Ridomil MZMetalaxyl 5%IIIFungicideFor the control of downy mildew on grape.Strivastava and Kesavachandran
CollisKresoxim-methyl + boscalid 100 g/lIIFungicideFor the control of powdery mildew on flowers.Strivastava and Kesavachandran
Nimrod 25ECBupirimate 250 g/lIIIFungicideFor the control of powdery mildew on pepper.Strivastava and Kesavachandran
Poller/infinitoPropamocarb hydrochloride 722 g/lIIIFungicideFor the control of powdery mildew on flowers.Strivastava and Kesavachandran
PolarPolyoxin 50%IVFungicideFor the control of powdery mildew on strawberryStrivastava and Kesavachandran
Proven 1,9ECEmamectin + benzoate 1.90%IIIInsecticideFor the control of stalk borerUS EPA

[i] Key reference: US EPA: United State Environmental Protection Agency, (Reregistration eligibility decision for triforine) [12, 13, 14].

Table 4

The list of pesticides used in onion fields.

Trade name of pesticideActive ingredientClassType of PesticideApproved usesReference on health effects
Supercron 500ECProfenofos 500 g/lECIIInsecticideFor the control of aphids (Acyrtosiphon pisum)US EPA
Snowcron 500ECProfenofos 500 g/lECIIInsecticideFor the control of aphids (Acyrtosiphon pisum)US EPA
Wilcron profenos 500ECProfenofos 500 g/lECIIInsecticideFor the control of fruit wormUS EPA
Bicron 500ECProfenofos 500 g/lECIIInsecticideFor the control of onion thripsUS EPA
Select PlusProfenofos 300 g/lt + lambdacylothrine 5 g/ltIIInsecticideFor the control of onion thrips (thrips tabaci in onion)US EPA
DudumectinEmamectin 4.8% + acetameprid 6.4%IIInsecticideFor the control of green aphidsUS EPA
Protrin 60ECChloropyrifos 500 g/lt + cypermethrin 100 g/ltIIInsecticideFor the control of tuber moth (PTM) and African boll worm (ABW)US EPA
Prosper 720ECProfenofos 600 g/lt + cypermethrin 120 g/ltIIIInsecticideFor the control of onion thrips on onion.US EPA
Snowsoldier 240ECCarbonsulfan 240 g/ltIIInsecticideFor the control of locust and grasshoppers.US EPA
Marshal 240ECCarbosulfanIIInsecticideFor the control of locust and grasshoppers.US EPA
Lamdex 5ECLambda-cyhalothrin 5% ECIIInsecticideFor the control of stalkUS EPA
Ninja plus 5ECLambda cylothrin (pyrethroid) 50 g/ltIIInsecticideFor the control of stalkUS EPA
Sumo 5ECLambda cylothrin (pyrethroid) 50 g/ltIIInsecticideFor the control of stalkUS EPA
Trigger 5ECLambda cylothrin (pyrethroid) 50 g/ltIIInsecticideFor the control of stalkUS EPA
DuduthrinLambda cylothrin (pyrethroid) 50 g/ltIIInsecticideFor the control of stalkUS EPA
Duduba 450ECCypermethrin 10 g/lt + chloropyrifos 35 g/ltIIInsecticideFor the control of tuber moth (PTM) and African boll worm (ABW)US EPA
Duduall 450ECCypermethrin 150 g/lt + chloropyrifos 300 g/ltIIInsecticideFor the control of tuber moth (PTM) and African boll worm (ABW)US EPA

[i] Key reference: US EPA: United State Environmental Protection Agency, (Preregistrations eligibility decision for triforine) [12, 13, 14].

Figure 1

Pesticide applicators in an onion farm handling pesticides without PPE.

Figure 2

Applicator with PPE in a flower farm.

Figure 3

Pesticide spilled on body and cloth in onion farms.

Figure 4

Pesticide spill on PPE at flower farm.

Figure 5

Motorized mobile pesticide sprayer in flower farm.

Figure 6

Manual knapsack equipment used in onion farms.

Figure 7

Empty pesticide containers disposed to the environment in the onion farm.

Figure 8

Empty pesticides stored in bags in flower farms.

Table 5

Proportion of neurological health symptoms among study participants in flower (n = 84) and onion farms (n = 56).

Neurological health symptomsFlower farms (%)Onion farms (%)
Excessive sweating46.432.1
Body weakness34.591.1
Abnormal tiredness of the body28.655.4
Headache27.458.9
Pain in part of the body21.464.3
Poor appetite17.946.4
Depression15.517.9
Irritation13.146.4
Nervousness or shakiness inside11.923.2
Nausea8.339.3
Dizziness7.153.6
Ringing in ears7.130.4
Trouble falling asleep7.114.3
Feeling hot or cold7.123.2
Vomiting3.628.6
Loss of concentration4.817.9
Table 6

Reported neurological health symptoms among pesticide applicators in relation to cholinesterase test (N = 56) in onion farms.

Neurological health symptomsAChE below normal range (N = 22)AChE within normal range (N = 34)Total (N = 56)Chi sqp-value
n (%)n (%)n (%)
Abnormal tiredness13(59.1)18(52.9)31(55.4)0.2040.785
Painful part of the body13(59.1)23(67.6)36(64.3)0.4260.575
Irritation6(27.3)20(58.8)26(46.4)5.3460.029*
Depression11(50.0)17(50.0)28(50.0)0.0001.000
Loss of concentration5(22.7)5(14.7)10(17.9)0.5860.448
Perspiration4(18.2)14(41.2)18(32.1)3.2380.087
Headache15(68.2)18(52.9)33(58.9)1.2820.282
Dizziness12(54.5)18(52.9)30(53.6)0.0141.000
Heart or chest pain4(18.2)6(17.6)10(17.9)0.0031.000
Poor appetite10(45.5)16(47.1)26(46.4)0.0141.000
Vomiting9(40.9)7(20.6)16(28.6)2.7030.134
Ringing in ears6(27.3)11(32.4)17(30.4)0.1630.772
Nausea10(45.5)12(35.3)22(39.3)0.5780.577
Trouble falling asleep6(27.3)6(17.6)12(21.4)0.7350.508
Feeling hot or cold7(31.8)6(17.6)13(23.2)1.5050.332
Body weakness21(95.5)30(88.2)51(91.1)0.8560.340

[i] Key:* Level of statistical significance (p value < 0.05).

Table 7

Reported neurological health symptoms among pesticide applicators in relation to cholinesterase level (N = 84) in flower farms.

Neurological health symptomsAChE below normal rangeAChE within normal rangeTotalChi sqp-value
n (%)n (%)n (%)
Abnormal tiredness20(83.3)4(16.7)24(28.6)0.1241.000
Painful part of the body14(20.6)4(25.0)18(21.4)0.1500.739
Irritation9(13.2)2(12.55)11(13.1)0.0601.000
Depression9(13.2)4(25.0)11(15.5)1.3700.260
Loss of concentration4(5.9)0(0.0)4(4.8)0.9881.000
Excessive sweating31(45.6)8(50.0)39(46.4)0.1010.787
Headache18(26.5)5(31.2)23(27.4)0.1490.758
Dizziness5(7.4)1(6.2)6(7.1)0.0241.000
Heart or chest pain7(10.3)1(6.2)8(9.5)0.2461.000
Poor appetite13(19.1)2(12.5)15(17.9)0.3870.725
Vomiting3(4.4)0(0.0)3(3.6)0.7321.000
Ringing in ears6(8.8)0(0.0)6(7.1)1.5200.590
Nausea7(10)0(0)7(8.3)0.2461.000
Trouble falling asleep7(10)1(6.2)8(9.5)0.2461.000
Feeling hot or cold6(8.8)0(0.0)6(7.1)1.520.590
Body weakness25(36.8)4(25.0)29(34.5)0.7930.560
DOI: https://doi.org/10.29024/aogh.2303 | Journal eISSN: 2214-9996
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Language: English
Published on: Aug 31, 2018
Published by: Levy Library Press
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
Publication frequency: 1 issue per year

© 2018 Suten Geofrey Mwabulambo, Ezra Jonathan Mrema, Aiwerasia Vera Ngowi, Simon Mamuya, published by Levy Library Press
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

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