Pesticide Exposures Among Agricultural Workers in the International Border Region of New Mexico

Background

The New Mexico Occupational Health Registry (NMOHR) conducted an analysis of five years of pesticide-related work-associated calls to the New Mexico Poison Center. The southwestern region of New Mexico, in which the majority of the state's crop farming takes place, was shown to have the highest rate of pesticide illness and injury calls (4.7/100,000 workers), twice the rate of the northern region (2.4/100,000 workers) [Moraga-McHaley 2007]. Cases in which workers from outside of New Mexico have become exposed to pesticides in New Mexico and have left the state and/or country for treatment have been reported to the NMOHR. However, no major studies have been conducted on pesticide exposures in the New Mexico/Texas Border Region with Mexico so the true burden of exposure to pesticides in this region is largely unknown.

Methods

We conducted a pilot survey to describe pesticide exposures of workers in border region of NM. A survey of farm workers, administered orally by local promotoras, gathered data regarding pesticide exposures, knowledge of pesticide prevention, pesticide prevention training, work and hygiene practices, and worker beliefs regarding the harmful effects of pesticides.

Results

Workers had varying degrees of pesticide effect- and exposure prevention knowledge and training. Crops workers come in direct contact with include cotton, chile, onions, orchard nuts, and flowers, among others.

Conclusions

The knowledge gained from this activity will be used to target surveillance and prevention efforts within the Southwestern border region. The goal is to expand the project to include cross-border collaborations with Texas and Mexico.