A Case for Medical Monitoring for Pesticide Handlers

Among farmworkers, pesticide handlers are most at risk of developing long-term health effects associated with pesticide exposure on the job . These workers are tasked with mixing, loading, and applying pesticides to crops. Long-term exposure to pesticides containing organophosphates and carbamates has been found to depress cholinesterase levels in farmworkers . Cholinesterase is an enzyme found in the blood which is necessary for proper functioning of the nervous system. Without it, nerves in muscles are unable to turn off, causing twitching and trembling, difficulty breathing, convulsions, and even death in severe cases characterized by continued daily absorption.

The EPA’s Worker Protection Standard, which contains the regulations that protect U.S. farmworkers from pesticide exposure, requires that pesticide handlers receive specialized training on top of the safety training required for all farmworkers. However, this training often fails to produce the safe environment necessary to protect them from harmful exposures. This failure may result when training is not provided or from poor quality training. Exposures also occur when appropriate respiratory and personal protective equipment is not made easily accessible or when the pesticide handler is placed under time constraints. Furthermore, inadequate training increases exposures among other farmworkers in the fields and of children and other family members when contaminated clothing, shoes, and bags are carried home.

Compared to farmworkers, workers in other industries that use harmful substances, like asbestos and radioactive elements, are protected by stronger training requirements and exposure monitoring. Pesticide handlers deserve this level of protection, as well. Several states have implemented medical monitoring programs for pesticide handlers that may serve as models for a national program. Since 1974, California has required medical monitoring of all agricultural workers who regularly handle an organophosphate or carbamate pesticides. The state of Washington began testing blood levels of cholinesterase in pesticide handlers in 2004 and, since then, has temporarily removed 79 pesticide handlers from the job when their cholinesterase levels were detected to drop. Blood testing has also made it possible to identify how the handlers are becoming exposed and to address common deficiencies around pesticide application on farms. This kind of medical monitoring is another form of education and data collection that is pro-active in nature. It is designed not only to detect problems in individuals before they get worse, but also will help to prevent over exposures for other pesticide applicators and field workers.

Now is the time to act in support of stronger regulations that protect farmworkers. For the first time in twenty years, the EPA has proposed major revisions to the Worker Protection Standard and is accepting public comments on its proposal until June 17. Medical monitoring of pesticide handlers is just one of several improvements to farmworker safety that a strengthened Worker Protection Standard could implement. 

The EPA needs to hear from workers, health professionals and other worker advocates about the need to bring protections for farmworkers up to the same level as those afforded to workers in other dangerous industries. Contact Farmworker Justice or visit our website for more information about the newly proposed Worker Protection Standard and how to participate in public commenting to advocate for a safer workplace for farmworkers. 

Among farmworkers, pesticide handlers are most at risk of developing long-term health effects associated with pesticide exposure on the job . These workers are tasked with mixing, loading, and applying pesticides to crops. Long-term exposure to pesticides containing organophosphates and carbamates has been found to depress cholinesterase levels in farmworkers . Cholinesterase is an enzyme found in the blood which is necessary for proper functioning of the nervous system. Without it, nerves in muscles are unable to turn off, causing twitching and trembling, difficulty breathing, convulsions, and even death in severe cases characterized by continued daily absorption.

The EPA’s Worker Protection Standard, which contains the regulations that protect U.S. farmworkers from pesticide exposure, requires that pesticide handlers receive specialized training on top of the safety training required for all farmworkers. However, this training often fails to produce the safe environment necessary to protect them from harmful exposures. This failure may result when training is not provided or from poor quality training. Exposures also occur when appropriate respiratory and personal protective equipment is not made easily accessible or when the pesticide handler is placed under time constraints. Furthermore, inadequate training increases exposures among other farmworkers in the fields and of children and other family members when contaminated clothing, shoes, and bags are carried home.

Compared to farmworkers, workers in other industries that use harmful substances, like asbestos and radioactive elements, are protected by stronger training requirements and exposure monitoring. Pesticide handlers deserve this level of protection, as well. Several states have implemented medical monitoring programs for pesticide handlers that may serve as models for a national program. Since 1974, California has required medical monitoring of all agricultural workers who regularly handle an organophosphate or carbamate pesticides. The state of Washington began testing blood levels of cholinesterase in pesticide handlers in 2004 and, since then, has temporarily removed 79 pesticide handlers from the job when their cholinesterase levels were detected to drop. Blood testing has also made it possible to identify how the handlers are becoming exposed and to address common deficiencies around pesticide application on farms. This kind of medical monitoring is another form of education and data collection that is pro-active in nature. It is designed not only to detect problems in individuals before they get worse, but also will help to prevent over exposures for other pesticide applicators and field workers.

Now is the time to act in support of stronger regulations that protect farmworkers. For the first time in twenty years, the EPA has proposed major revisions to the Worker Protection Standard and is accepting public comments on its proposal until June 17. Medical monitoring of pesticide handlers is just one of several improvements to farmworker safety that a strengthened Worker Protection Standard could implement. 

The EPA needs to hear from workers, health professionals and other worker advocates about the need to bring protections for farmworkers up to the same level as those afforded to workers in other dangerous industries. Contact Farmworker Justice or visit our website for more information about the newly proposed Worker Protection Standard and how to participate in public commenting to advocate for a safer workplace for farmworkers.