The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #48104

Peter Kunstadter, PhD¹, Tha Cha, MD², Ghia Xiong³, Saeng Kue, BA³, and Kao-Ly Yang, PhD⁴. (1) Institute for Health Policy Studies, University of California, San Francisco, 3333 California, Suite 265, Box 0936, San Francisco, CA 94143, 415 476 4921, arttown@itsa.ucsf.edu, (2) Kern Medical Center, 1830 Flower Street, Bakersfield, CA 93305, (3) Fresno Center for New Americans, 4879 E. Kings Canyon Road, Fresno, CA 93727, (4) Asian Health Program, Fresno Medical Education Program, University of California San Francisco, 550 E. Shaw Ave., Suite 210, Fresno, CA 93710

The heaviest use of pesticides in the US is in Central California. Hmong refugees in Fresno County, many of whom (especially women) have limited English language ability, make heavy use of dangerous pesticides (e.g., methyl bromide) to grow crops (e.g., strawberries, leafy vegetables) for sale and home use. In 65 interviews with Hmong refugees, (33 men, 32 women), 93% reported using pesticides. Among those using pesticides, 73% used pesticides both at home and on farms or gardens and 37% used pesticides only at home (men and women in equal proportions). 29% get information on proper use pesticides from extension agents (one of whom is a native speaker of Hmong), 26% get information from friends or relatives and 24% never get information on proper use of pesticides; 27% have received formal training from extension agents, but only 6% vs. 44% of the men of the women are licensed to use pesticides. Most respondents who use pesticides believe they cause health problems, and many respondents reported symptoms associated with use of pesticides (e.g., headaches, nausea, dizziness), but 18% report that they do not wear any protective clothing or gloves when they apply pesticides. Results suggest that the potential harm of pesticides used in the home is not widely recognized, and that despite the availability of Hmong language training in proper use of pesticides, special efforts must be made to increase the ability of Hmong, especially Hmong women, to protect themselves from harmful effects of pesticides in farms, gardens, and at home.

Learning Objectives:

• • Become familiar with use of pesticides among Hmong refugees in Central California
  • Learn about symptoms reported to be associated with use of pesticides by Hmong refugees
  • Consider policy implications with regard to pesticide use by non-English-speaking populations even when instructions are available in the appropriate language

Keywords: Pesticide Exposure, Asian Americans

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: none
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.