Safety Measures and Health Issues among Pesticide Applicators in Foumbot Agricultural Area, West Region, Cameroon

Abstract

Several reports have raised the misuse of pesticides in the protection of crops in the Foumbot agricultural area. This study aims at evaluating the health status of pesticide operators in the said area. 127 farmers were interviewed out of which 30 were selected for medical check-up. A diagnostic was done on the liver status and a physical checkup on the eyes, the respiratory system and the skin of 30 selected pesticide applicators following the medical laboratory routine examination. The skin of users was diagnosed for itching, prickling, irritation and burns;  the eyes for sight troubles, stinging, wateriness; the respiratory system for catarrh, cough , difficulties in breathing and chest constriction; the liver status was estimated using two enzymes: Aspartate Amino-Transferase (ASAT) and Alanine Amino-Transferase (ALT).  As results: pesticides used are from three main classes and belong to classes II and III toxicity: insecticides (cypermethrin, most used), fungicides (ethylenebisdithiocarbamates) and herbicides (paraquat and glyphosate).  40% of workers showed liver alteration, the skin of workers was affected and revealed itching, prickling, irritation and burns; the eyes showed sight troubles, stinging and wet eyes; the respiratory system was affected with catarrh, cough, difficulties in breathing and chest constriction; 40% of workers showed liver alteration.  The poor safety measures observed affects the health of workers. Pesticide users in the Foumbot agricultural area manifested symptoms and signs related to pesticide effects on human beings. A study is now needed to do a follow-up on a particular group of people for a long term toxicity study.