Background: Productivity in agricultural field has remarkably increased
worldwide in this era of green revolution. Agriculture, a very complex
occupation, apart from increasing productivity also brings huge loss to
community in terms of its ill effects on humans, plant and animal life due
to aggressive use of agrochemicals like fertilizers and pesticides. Respiratory diseases among farmers were one of the first-identified occupational hazards associated with agriculture. As farmers cultivating the earth are the most valuable citizens the present study is designed to detect the ill effects of exposure to fertilizers and pesticides on lung function. Aims: Present study was designed to study the effect of pesticides on lung function in pesticide exposed farmers and to compare these lung function parameters in exposed farmers to that of normal controls. Materials and methods: Pulmonary function test was studied in 60 apparently healthy male farmers exposed to pesticides,
and compared with 62 apparently healthy male control subjects. The
pulmonary function test was performed by using an electronic pirometer
and results were compared by Student’s unpaired t test. Results: Results of the present study showed a significant decrease in the mean values and percent predicted value of FVC, FEV1, %FEV1/FVC, PEFR and FEF 25–75% in pesticide exposed farmers compared to normal subjects. Conclusion: Based on results of the present study it may be concluded that pesticide exposed farmers are at increased risk of developing occupationally related pulmonary impairment. There is need for compulsory use of personal protective equipment and measures during pesticide application.
Keywords: Pesticides; Farmers; Pulmonary function.