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pesticides present in the working environment. Associations between study
findings, the rural or urban location of workers, the duration of exposure, and
the presence of bilharzia were examined.
Results
All participants in the groups exposed to pesticides were male, almost all were
married, and 55% were smokers. Duration of exposure ranged from 2 to
35 years for the rural group and 2 to 25 years for the urban group.
Medical histories revealed that there were no statistically significant differences
between the exposed groups of plant workers and the control groups
with regard to the diagnosis of bilharzia, hepatitis, and diabetes (Table 1).
Hypertension was present in a significantly higher number of pesticide-plant
workers of both groups. No diagnosis of acute poisoning was reported.
Condition
Table 1. Health profile of rural and urban groups exposed to pesticides
compared with unexposed subjects.
Control (%)
(n = 300)
Others
Examination findings
6.3 22.5c 23c
Neurological 5
45C 47C
Psychiatric
Abdominal
20
11
50
235b
51c
17a
Cardiorespiratory 30 26.5"
16b
Topical disorders 0 5.5 4
Without signs 40.7 26' 36a
a Not significantly different from control group.
b
Significantly different from control (p