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farmers about the specific danger of using monocrotophos in rice and vegetables
crops a "Safe Use of Pesticides" campaign in Sabak Bernam district has
also been initiated (Asna 1990).
Other semigovernmental agencies, such as MARDI, the Rubber Research
Institute of Malaysia, Federal Land Development Authority, Muda
Agricultural Development Authority, and Federal Land Consolidation and
Rehabilitation Authority, also organize short training courses for their junior
technicians on the safe application of pesticides. In the private sector, since
1982, societies such as the Malaysian Plant Protection Society and the
Malaysian Agricultural Chemicals Association have also held courses on
pesticide application technology These have been mainly aimed at professionals
in crop protection, such as researchers, university lecturers, estate managers,
and pesticide-industry personnel (Lim and Ramasamy 1983; Teoh 1985).
The Philippines
Health and safety-related research activities in the Philippines include descriptive
studies on pesticide poisoning based on reviews of hospital records,
occupational exposure studies in rice- and vegetable-farming communities,
development of an occupational health and monitoring program, and health
economics and policy research studies.
Two retrospective studies reviewing hospital records (Castaneda and
Maramba 1980; Gonzales and Chua 1984) analyzed data on pesticide poisonings
by age and gender distribution, common presenting signs and symptoms,
correlation between signs and symptoms and cholinesterase level in red blood
cells, average dose of atropine administered, and toxicity ratings of the pesticides.
Of a total of 1 074 cases of poisoning reported from 1982 to 1985, 42%
involved organophosphates, 19% organochlorines, and 14% carhamates
(Castaneda 1988). Peak incidence occurred among those under 40 years old
and was slightly higher for males. Suicide accounted for 63% of the cases,
occupational exposure 18%, and accidental exposure 16%. The highest case
fatality rate was associated with organochiorine poisoning (49%) followed by
organophosphates (16%).
Research efforts have also been directed toward characterizing occupational
pesticide exposure among vegetable and rice farmers by examining demographic
data, agricultural practices, and general health conditions. Only one
study has dealt with farmers' perceptions of the health impact of pesticide use.
Generally, research on how farmers' attitudes can affect the way in which
pesticides are used is lacking.
Studies by Castaneda (this volume) determined the potential exposure of rice
farmers to an organophosphate compound and concluded that workers'
hands are most exposed to dermal contamination and penetration during
mixing and loading activities. Castaneda also examined the protection
afforded by locally designed clothing. Such clothing was often uncomfortable
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