Health Effects of Paraquat Use and Risk Management at Pongsanuk Sub-District, Wiangsa District, Nan Province

Abstract

                Objective: To determine health effects of paraquat in agricultural use and to design pilot project for risk management with community participation Method: The research was a cross-sectional analytical study collecting data from 147 users of paraquat in agriculture randomly selected from the total of 220 users in Pongsanuk subdistrict, Wiangsa district, Nan province. The data on health effects and preventive behaviors were collected using interview according to the form developed in the study. The researcher developed risk management plan with the participation from community aiming to reduce paraquat use. Results: 54.4% of farmers reported the incidence of negative health effects from paraquat use with 41.5% of dermatitis, 17.0% of conjunctivitis, 6.8% of difficult breathing or coughing, 12.2% of nausea and vomiting, 2.0% of nail deformation and 12.9% of dizziness. Male was 2.5 times more likely than female to report health effects (odds ratio = 2.50; 95%CI=1.1-5.7, p=0.039). One liter increase in paraquat use in growing corn for animal feed during rainy season was associated with 1.03 times increase in health effects (odds ratio = 1.03; 95%CI= 1.00-1.06, p=0.039). Wearing no masks to cover mouth and nose or occasionally wearing them was related to 6.03 times increase in health effects (95%CI = 2.55-14.26, p<0.001). Not wearing a pairs of gloves or occasionally wearing them was related to 3.80 times increase in health effects (95%CI = 1.70-8.52, p<0.001).  Protective wears and gears most rejected by the farmers in descending order were plastic sheets to cover the body, eyeglasses, gloves, masks to cover mouth and nose and long-sleeve shirts (67.4, 53.1, 8.8, 6.1, and 2.0 percent, respectively). Pilot project for managing risk with community participation focused on the addition of solution from microorganism fermentation to paraquat in order to reduce the amount of use and the reduction of cultivating area of corn for animal feeding. Conclusion: More than half of health effects were manifested on the skin. Heavy use of paraquat was intended for growing corn for animal feed. The use of solution from microorganism fermentation to partly replace paraquat for pesticide and the reduction of cultivating area of corn for animal feeding may be potential measures for lessen health impact.