Acute health effects associated with nonoccupational pesticide exposure inrural El Salvador

Little is known about the health effects of nonoccupational pesticide expos ure in agricultural communities of poor countries. Therefore, this study in vestigated acute symptoms associated with nonoccupational exposure to organ ophosphate insecticides (OPs) in rural El Salvador, a region known for inte nsive pesticide use. Zn the five communities studied, a-week prevalences of several acute symptoms were associated with living with a farmer who had r ecently applied methyl parathion. These included cramps in limbs (odds rati o 2.1, 95% confidence interval 1.2-3.7), chest pressure (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.3 -4.0), change in defecation (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.3-4.1), feeling dazed (OR 2.4 , 95% CI 1.3-4.4), and eyes tearing (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.4-4.5). Associations were found regardless of whether the individuals reporting the symptoms had themselves performed held labor. These results suggest that living in area s where pesticides are used on crops may represent an environmental health concern, especially for children. (C) 1999 Academic Press.