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Neurological Effects of Pesticide Use among Farmers in China

Author

Listed:
  • Yifan Li

    (Department of Neurology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, No. 28 Fuxing Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100853, China)

  • Chao Zhang

    (School of Management and Economics, Beijing Institute of Technology, 5 South Zhongguancun Street, Beijing 100081, China)

  • Yanhong Yin

    (Department of Neurology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, No. 28 Fuxing Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100853, China)

  • Fang Cui

    (Department of Neurology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, No. 28 Fuxing Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100853, China)

  • Jinyang Cai

    (School of Management and Economics, Beijing Institute of Technology, 5 South Zhongguancun Street, Beijing 100081, China)

  • Zhaohui Chen

    (Department of Neurology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, No. 28 Fuxing Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100853, China)

  • Yanhong Jin

    (School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, 59 Dudley Road, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA)

  • Mark G. Robson

    (School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, 59 Dudley Road, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA)

  • Mao Li

    (Department of Neurology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, No. 28 Fuxing Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100853, China)

  • Yuting Ren

    (Department of Neurology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, No. 28 Fuxing Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100853, China)

  • Xusheng Huang

    (Department of Neurology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, No. 28 Fuxing Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100853, China)

  • Ruifa Hu

    (School of Management and Economics, Beijing Institute of Technology, 5 South Zhongguancun Street, Beijing 100081, China)

Abstract

The intensive use of pesticides has attracted great attention from the Chinese government. However, current regulations have had limited influence on their safe use. Although the acute neurologic effects of pesticides have been well documented, little is known about their cumulative effects. Knowledge of the impact of pesticides on health may convince farmers to minimize their use. We conducted a cross-sectional study in three provinces of China to evaluate the relationship between pesticide exposure and neurological dysfunction. Crop farmers were divided into two groups depending on their level of pesticide exposure. A total of 236 participants were assessed by questionnaire and neurological examination for symptoms and signs of neuropathy. Characteristics of neurologic dysfunction following cumulative low-level exposure were assessed with logistic regression analysis. Farmers exposed to high-level pesticide use had greater risk of developing sensations of numbness or prickling (odds ratio (OR) 2.62, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08–6.36). After adjusting for recent exposure, the risk of numbness or prickling symptoms (OR 2.55, 95% CI: 1.04–6.25) remained statistically significant. Loss of muscle strength and decreased deep tendon reflexes had OR > 2, however, this did not reach statistical significance. These findings suggest that overuse of pesticides increased risk of neurologic dysfunction among farmers, with somatosensory small fibers most likely affected. Measures that are more efficient should be taken to curb excessive use of pesticides.

Suggested Citation

  • Yifan Li & Chao Zhang & Yanhong Yin & Fang Cui & Jinyang Cai & Zhaohui Chen & Yanhong Jin & Mark G. Robson & Mao Li & Yuting Ren & Xusheng Huang & Ruifa Hu, 2014. "Neurological Effects of Pesticide Use among Farmers in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-12, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:11:y:2014:i:4:p:3995-4006:d:35054
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Huang, Jikun & Hu, Ruifa & Pray, Carl & Qiao, Fangbin & Rozelle, Scott, 2003. "Biotechnology as an alternative to chemical pesticides: a case study of Bt cotton in China," Agricultural Economics, Blackwell, vol. 29(1), pages 55-67, July.
    2. Steenland, K. & Jenkins, B. & Ames, R.G. & O'Malley, M. & Chrislip, D. & Russo, J., 1994. "Chronic neurological sequelae to organophosphate pesticide poisoning," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 84(5), pages 731-736.
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    Cited by:

    1. Xiuling Ding & Apurbo Sarkar & Lipeng Li & Hua Li & Qian Lu, 2022. "Effects of Market Incentives and Livelihood Dependence on Farmers’ Multi-Stage Pesticide Application Behavior—A Case Study of Four Provinces in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-19, August.
    2. Ning Wang & Boshen Wang & Jinbo Wen & Xiuting Li & Liping Pan & Juan Zhang & Baoli Zhu, 2019. "Types of Exposure Pesticide Poisoning in Jiangsu Province, China; The Epidemiologic Trend between 2006 and 2018," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-8, July.

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