Occupational Insecticide Exposure and Perception of Safety Measures among Cacao Farmers in Southwestern Nigeria

ABSTRACT

The authors assessed occupational exposure hazards among cacao farmers in Southwestern Nigeria. They administered structured questionnaires, supplemented with oral interviews, to 150 farmers to obtain information on insecticide use and perception of safety measures. The farmers used lindane, diazinon, endosulfan, and propoxur for cacao mirid control. Factors promoting exposure included eating and drinking during spraying operations, failure to use protective clothing, improper storage and disposal of insecticides. Varying proportions of the farmers experienced common symptoms associated with exposure hazards. Few presented for medical treatment with complaints of frequent fever, strained breathing, sleeplessness, loss of memory, etc., symptoms which are suggestive of chronic pesticide poisoning. The authors concluded that biological monitoring of the effects of insecticides on the health of the farmers is urgently needed together with awareness campaign and training on pesticide safety measures.

KEYWORDS:

• cacao farmers
• exposure
• insecticides
• occupational hazard

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, which through its research grant provided funds for the project that formed part of the PhD thesis of the first author.

Notes

^aOrganochlorine insecticide WHO Class II.

^bOrganophosphorus insecticide WHO Class II.

^cCarbamate insecticide WHO Class II.

¹No protective clothing on usual farm clothes.