Pesticide Sprayers Risk Serious Health Problems

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Thursday, 29 April 2004

Sprayer operators could be putting their own health and those of their children and unborn babies at risk, according to new research from Canada.

The Review of Pesticide Research from the Ontario College of Family Physicians has claimed there is a link between pesticide exposure and serious illnesses.

The review highlights "consistent links" to serious illnesses such as cancer, reproductive problems and neurological diseases, with children being particularly vulnerable.

"Occupational exposure to agricultural chemicals may be associated with adverse reproductive effects," said the OCFP. These include birth defects, foetal death and intrauterine growth retardation.

"Many of the health problems linked with pesticide use are serious and difficult to treat," said Margaret Sanborn of McMaster University, one of the review's authors.
Source: Farmers Weekly 26 April 2004