26.12.2012 Views

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

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

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

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

Methods used to monitor<br />

pesticide poisoning<br />

Through this public-health network, pesticide poisoning is monitored at all<br />

levels (village, township, county, and province). In 1957, a reporting system<br />

for occupational diseases was established. Recording <strong>of</strong> pesticide poisonings<br />

began in 1961 in Shanghai and 1973 in Jiang-Su using the following<br />

procedures.<br />

Pesticide poisoning cases were first handled by the village "barefoot"<br />

doctors. After diagnosis and treatment, they were registered and<br />

reported directly to the county Health and Anti-Epidemic Station using<br />

a special index-card form. These cards were gathered and analyzed by<br />

the county station. Quarterly, they were sent with the occupational<br />

disease reports to the higher-level organization.<br />

The municipal or provincial station summarized the reports and calculated<br />

the incidence <strong>of</strong> poisoning cases and the resultant death rate.<br />

Etiologic and relevant factors were evaluated to modify programs and<br />

initiate special projects for further study.<br />

<strong>Research</strong> projects were undertaken to: survey hygienic conditions surrounding<br />

the use <strong>of</strong> pesticides in the field; assess exposure by measuring<br />

air concentration, skin contamination, blood cholinesterase activity and<br />

urinary changes; and observe any other adverse effects. Comparisons<br />

were made among sprayers in teams and among individual farmers.<br />

Organophosphates (e.g., dichiorvos, trichlorophon, dimethoate, parathion,<br />

methyl parathion, etc.) were measured in air samples collected in<br />

tubes containing silica gel. Cotton swab samples were used to assess<br />

dermal contamination by gas chromatography using flame photodetector<br />

(Wang and Du 1985). The activity <strong>of</strong> blood cholinesterase was<br />

determined by the modified Hestrin method. Chlordimeform in the air<br />

samples, cotton swabs, and urine samples was measured colorimetrically<br />

with chromogen naphthylene-ethyldiamine.<br />

Training courses to renew knowledge on prevention, diagnosis, and<br />

treatment <strong>of</strong> poisoning were delivered to personnel at various levels:<br />

physicians in county hospitals, hygienists in health stations, staff in<br />

township hospitals, and the rural paradoctors. These groups, in turn,<br />

educated rural people in preventive measures to be taken when using<br />

pesticides. As part <strong>of</strong> their training, "barefoot" doctors are required to<br />

complete a curriculum <strong>of</strong> courses and an internship <strong>of</strong> about 3 years.<br />

Diagnosis, treatment, and prevention <strong>of</strong> pesticide poisoning is one <strong>of</strong> the<br />

most important parts <strong>of</strong> their study.<br />

231

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!