Farmworker exposure in Ethiopia

Ethiopian agriculture provides a livelihood for 80% of the population. A study carried out in the 1994-95 cropping season investigated the impact on pest control workers on State farms.

While Ethiopian farmers generally practice subsistence agriculture, the State farms operate intensive production, and account for the majority of the country's pesticide use. The study examined the health impact on 430 pesticide users against 161 unexposed workers from other occupations.
    Pesticide workers handle many hazardous pesticides, including regular usage of five organophosphates (OP)s, ranging from classifications of 'moderately' to 'extremely' hazardous by the World Health Organisation classification.
    The study measured workers for levels of the enzyme cholinesterase: low levels interfere with the function of the nervous system, and are an indication of exposure to OPs. There were significantly lower levels of cholinesterase activity among workers on the State farms, confirming absorption of OP formulations. The workers were mostly young, between 18 and 34 years although the study does not indicate a breakdown of men and women among the workers.
    Awareness of pesticide hazards was extremely low, with only 12% of workers knowing the danger of poisoning and trying to take some precautionary measures. Some of the remaining 88% believed they were resistant to the toxic formulations.
    No training or guidance on safe use of pesticides is available to the workers. Habits of eating, drinking and smoking around the field are common, and over half the workers eat at work, do not wash hands before eating, and do not change clothing after spraying. Only 18% used protective gear, while others commonly wore ordinary cotton work clothes. Gloves, masks and boots were not normally used.
    The study concluded on the need for training and distribution of educational material, as well as material on the nature of pesticides. Literacy in rural Ethiopia is, however very low, providing a greater challenge.

Kibruyisfa Lakew and Yalemtsehay Mekonnen, A study among agricultural workers in Ethiopia, African Newsletter on Occupational Health and Safety, 1997, 7:68-70.

[This article first appeared in Pesticides News No. 39, March 1998, page 14 ]