THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH PESTICIDE USE BY IRRIGATION WORKERS IN GHANA

The use of pesticides in Ghanaian agriculture, though beneficial in re ducing crop loss both before and after harvest, has been associated wi th threats to human health often due to the misapplication of the chem icals. This study was an initial attempt to explore the knowledge, att itudes and practices of 123 farm workers on three irrigation project a reas in the Accra Plains, Ghana, regarding the safe handling and use o f pesticides, to assess the prevalence of symptoms associated with org anophosphorus pesticides (OPs) and carbamates and to determine the pre valence of pesticide-related symptoms, and blood cholinesterase. The s tudy design was cross-sectional in type. Methods used were interviews and observation, and biological monitoring. The results revealed moder ate levels of knowledge of the routes of absorption of pesticides and of potential symptoms following exposure. Knowledge of personal protec tive measures was poor to moderate. High risk practices included frequ ent handling of the chemicals, home storage of pesticides and short re -entry intervals. Despite knowledge of some health risks associated wi th pesticides, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) was mini mal due primarily to financial constraints. The prevalence or symptoms was higher and cholinesterase levels lower than in a control group of teachers. It is suggested that there is a need for more epidemiologic studies to investigate the problems associated with pesticide induced ill health as well as research into appropriate and affordable PPE. P PE needs to be subsidized. Training of agriculture and health workers in safety precautions, recognition, and management of pesticide-relate d ill health is a matter of urgency.