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

Table 3. Number of farmers using various types of pyrethroids.
1987 1988 Total no. %
Deltamethrin
Pure EC
Mixed with -
980 379 1 359 43.7
organophosphates
DDVP
Methamidophos
o-methoate
Others
318
157
95
45
21
-
318
157
95
45
21
10.2
Fenvalerate
Pure EC 492 729 1 221 39.2
Mixed with -
organophosphates 203 203 6.5
DDVP 123 - 123
Methamidophos 43 30
o-methoate 30 7
Others 7 7
Cypermethrin
PureEC 7 1 8 0.3
Mixed with
organophosphates 4 - 4 0.1
aEc emulsifiable concentrate.
4 h/day for 69.1% of the farmers. The mean rate of exposure to pure pyrethroids
was less than 40 mL/h for two-thirds of the farmers.
The equipment of 778 cotton farmers leaked or became blocked during spraying;
65.2% of them cleared stoppages using their mouths or hands, leading to
potential topical contamination. Moreover, 91.6% of the cotton farmers prepared
the pyrethroids by hand, using the lid of the pyrethroid container
instead of a measuring glass, presenting another opportunity for skin contact.
The survey of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of pyrethroid users
showed that 2 137 cotton farmers (69.8%) were unaware of the toxicity of
pyrethroids. In addition, their personal protection was not satisfactory. None
wore a mask or gloves. Approximately half the farmers kept their upper
extremities or feet uncovered during spraying. The majority of spraying
operations did not comply with safe-handling practices: 67% did not spray
every other row of cotton; 84% sprayed while walking backward; 45% sprayed
into the wind; and 9% ate or smoked in the field without washing their hands
first. Because of sloppy handling, 67% of the farmers had their shoes and
trousers soaked with pyrethroids.
Of the subjects, 98% (3 051) were in good health before the study. Symptoms,
such as abnormal facial sensations (appearing in 742 subjects) and dizziness
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