Pesticide use, allergic rhinitis, and asthma among US farm operators

ABSTRACT

Objective: The objective of the study is to examine associations between use of specific pesticides and lifetime allergic rhinitis and current asthma in US primary farm operators.

Methods: The 2011 Farm and Ranch Safety Survey data from 11,210 primary farm operators were analyzed. Pesticide use on the farm was determined using an affirmative response to the question of whether the operator ever mixed, loaded, or applied pesticides on their farm in the 12 months prior to the interview. Operators who answered “yes” were further asked about the specific trade name and formulation identifiers of the product they used and personal protective equipment (PPE) used. Data were weighted to produce national estimates. Adjusted prevalence odds ratios (PORs) were calculated using logistic regression. The referent group included operators who did not use any pesticides in the 12 months prior to the interview.

Results: Of an estimated 2.1 million farm operators, 40.0% used pesticides, 30.8% had lifetime allergic rhinitis, and 5.1% had current asthma. Insecticide and herbicide use were significantly associated with lifetime allergic rhinitis and current asthma. The use of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (POR = 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.9) and carbaryl (POR = 2.3; 1.4–3.7) was significantly associated with lifetime allergic rhinitis. Of operators using pesticides, 64.9% used PPE the last time they mixed, loaded, or applied pesticides.

Conclusions: Pesticide use was associated with lifetime allergic rhinitis and current asthma among farm operators. Further studies are needed to clarify the dose–response relationship between pesticide use and adverse respiratory health effects.

KEYWORDS:

• Agriculture
• allergic rhinitis
• asthma
• occupational exposure
• pesticides

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Kitty J. Hendricks, MA, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for her active role as the Project Officer for the Farm and Ranch Safety Survey and Michael E. Goldcamp, PhD, and Larry A. Layne, MA, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, CDC, for their assistance in Farm and Ranch Safety Survey planning, questionnaire development, and data collection and preparation for public use.

Declaration of interests

None declared.

Disclaimer

The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health. Mention of company names or products does not constitute endorsement by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by Cooperative Agreement Number 6 NU36OE000002 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health and by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.