Retinal degeneration in licensed pesticide applicators

Background Retinal degeneration is the lending cause of visual impairment i n older adults, but little is known about its relationship to neurotoxic ex posures. Methods The Agricultural Health Study is a cohort study of licensed pestici de applicators from Iowa and North Carolina. We used cross-sectional data f rom self administered questionnaires given at enrollment in 1994-1996 to co mpare pesticide use in 154 applicators who reported retinal degeneration an d 17,804 controls. Results Retinal degeneration was associated with fungicide use (odds ratio = 1.8, 95% confidence interval = 1.3-2.6). This relationship was seen in su bgroups defined by state, demographic characteristics, or medical history, as well as in the entire group. Risk increased with cumulative days of fung icide use (P for trend = 0.011) and was greater when application methods in volving greater personal exposure were used. Retinal degeneration was also related to use of organochlorine or carbamate insecticides, but these assoc iations were less consistent. Since nearly all applicators used organophosp hate insecticides and herbicides, these exposures could not be effectively evaluated Conclusions These results suggest that exposure to some fungicides and inse cticides may increase risk of retinal degeneration. Published 2000 Wiley-Li ss, Inc.