Impact of - IDL-BNC @ IDRC - International Development Research ...

Al Ghor is on the west side of the river Jordan. It is a warm, semitropical area,
100-200 m below sea level and is unique in that farm produce can be cultivated
during the winter months. Intensive agriculture is thus practiced from October
to May. Although now diminished in size, the Palestinian area being cultivated
amounts to 40 km2. The Arab population is about 30 000, two-thirds of whom
are involved in agriculture. Agriculture involves all members of the farming
families, including pregnant women and children. About half the farmers are
landowners; the others are tenants.
Organophosphates are potent inhibitors of acetyicholinesterase (AChE), an
enzyme responsible for the hydrolysis of acetyicholine, which is synthesized
at nerve endings and is involved in transmission of impulses from nerve to
muscle fibres. A 40% decrease in blood AChE is associated with the first
symptoms of pesticide poisoning and an 80% decrease is associated with
severe neuromuscular effects. Absorption of organophosphate sufficient to
inactivate all red blood cell AChE may result in death. Absorption may occur
through the skin, by inhalation, or by ingestion.
Farmers are exposed to organophosphates either through continuous spraying
of these pesticides or from contact with their residues on treated plant
surfaces. No statistical information was available concerning poisoning incidents
related to crop-spraying activity among the farmers of the region.
However, a preliminary survey of a small number of farming operations
revealed unacceptable mixing and spraying habits. Chronic exposure, poor
working conditions, and lack of education about potential hazards could have
serious health and economic implications for the region.
The objective of this study was to learn the extent of exposure to organophosphate
pesticides of farmers in the Jordan Valley during and after the
spraying season and to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices
(KAP) of the farm workers regarding the use of pesticides. The information
will be used to design a program for farmer education and training in the safe
use and handling of pesticides.
Population and sampling
Methods
All of the participants were tenant farmers from the Jiftlic region of the Jordan
Valley, who leased land and shared some of the expenses and the profit with
the landlord. The participants were divided into groups:
Group I consisted of 14 farmers in three subgroups (4, 6, and 4), each
spraying 1 000 L of pesticide;
a Group II consisted of 10 farmers in two subgroups (5 and 5), each
spraying 2 000 L of pesticide;
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