Skin Problems of Agricultural Workers at Tambol Nongprue, Bangplee District Samutprakarn Province

Abstract

The objective of this investigation was 1) to study skin problems of agricultural workers and 2) to
assess how the workers handle pesticides and how this affects their skin. The study was conducted at Tambol
Nongprue Bangplee district Samutprakarn province. Information collected from 123 agricultural workers by
means of a questionnaire included sex, age, type of agricultural activity, smoking, alcohol drinking, pesticide
use, duration of working in the agricultural sector, type of chemicals used and method of spraying as well as
use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Conventional descriptive statistics and the chi-square test had
been used to analyze the data.
From the agricultural workers 70.5% had skin problems and more than 70% of them were exposed to
chemicals used in the agricultural sector. The majority of study participants complained about itching (71.6%).
Quite a number of workers had skin alterations at arms and hands as well as on other parts of the body.
Usually ointment and skin lotions were used for self treatment. Factor found to be related to the skin problems
were types and frequency of chemicals used, and whether workers wear PPE or not (p<0.05).
It is concluded that the exposure to agricultural chemicals cause skin cell alteration and ultimately
might cause skin cancer in future. Thus, prevention of exposure to chemicals can reduce health risks for
agricultural workers.