Health and Working Environment of Gardeners in Odense, 1983

The exposure of gardeners to pesticides in connection with the use of these substances has not been examined very thoroughly. The sale of pesticides has been stagnating in recent years following a period with an increase in consumption. In Denmark the annual consumption of pesticides amounts to approx. 20,000 tons distributed on a little less than 300 active chemicals. # The increasing awareness of the health effects of the pesticides has resulted in a prohibition of the application of certain chemicals (e.g. DDT and TEPP) within the gardening sector in the last few years. In addition, restrictions have been imposed on the application of other pesticides. # The productivity increase within the agricultural/gardening sector is due to the fact that chemicals, including pesticides, are used extensively. It is not known how many persons in Denmark work with these chemicals, but the application frequency and the attendant risks vary within the various sectors. In Sweden the agricultural sector uses approx. 90% of the total consumption of pesticides, but the spreading is concentrated on a few days each year. # Even though calculations show that the use of insecticides, fungicides and growth-regulating chemicals in greenhouses constitute less than 1% of the total consumption in Denmark, the application of these substances in closed greenhouses present a greater risk than in other applications sectors, where the spreading takes place in the open. The application of pesticides in greenhouses often takes place several times a week in the growing season. # The occurrence of fatal occupational poisoning in Denmark is limited, whereas the occurrence of non-fatal poisoning is far more frequent. In 1978 99 persons with pesticide poisoning were admitted to hospital. Of these 32 cases were occupational accidents. Parathion and other organophosphates are the cause of most of the cases of poisoning. The exact number of cases of acute occupational poisoning is not known as many of the mild cases are not treated and are therefore not registered. A foreign survey shows that for each case of fatal pesticide poisoning there were approx. 100 non-fatal cases. Most cases of occupational poisoning are due to absorption of pesticides through the skin, and surveys have shown that this is potentially the most dangerous type of poisoning. # The work in greenhouses involves regular contact with many irritative and sensitizing materials. It is a well-known fact that a number of flowers and plants which are grown in greenhouses in Denmark contain substances which may give irritative and allergic contact eczema. Some of the pesticides used in Denmark also cause eczema. Contact urticaria have also been demonstrated after contact with plants and pesticides. The damp and hot climate in the greenhouses promotes the growth of hyphomycete and thereby the risk of getting respiratory allergy. Flower pollen from plants in the greenhouses and from plants in the adjoining areas may also cause hay fever or asthma. # The purpose of this survey is to examine, by means of questionnaires, a group of gardeners' work with pesticides and the occurrence of transient malaise in connection with this work. An additional purpose is, on the basis of known occupational exposure in the gardening sector, to examine the occurrence of a number of other health effects. # The postal questionnaire contained questions concerning working environment: #- whether the respondent worked in a greenhouse #- the type of greenhouse #- whether the respondent worked with pesticides #- the frequency of work with pesticides #- the use of protective equipment #as well as questions concerning the following health conditions: #- transient malaise in connection with the work with pesticides, # including the type of malaise, and the type of pesticides used #- eczema #- urticaria #- eye/nose irritation #- asthma #In addition, the respondents were asked whether they had received any treatment for eczema/skin rash, hay fever, and asthma