SOURCES, ROUTES, AND FREQUENCY OF PESTICIDE EXPOSURE AMONG FARMERS

Little data on the prevalence of acute and chronic pesticide exposure among farmers and the frequency of protective gear use are available. This report presents results of a cross-sectional study of pesticide b ehaviors among dairy farmers certified to apply pesticides to field cr ops. Private dairy farmers residing in six adjacent Wisconsin counties were randomly selected and contacted by telephone for interview. One hundred ninety-one farmers completed the interview (response rate, 76. 4%). Twelve percent reported never or almost never wearing gloves duri ng application, and 53.7% reported never or almost never wearing other protective gear. Thirty-two percent reported dermal exposure, and 32. 0% reported inhaling pesticides during last application. Findings sugg est that exposure to pesticides was frequent in this sample, whereas u se of personal protective equipment was not routine.