The potential risk and occupational exposure of pesticides among rice farmers in delta Ayeyarwady division, Myanmar

Abstract

This study aims to assess the potential risk and occupational exposure of pesticides among rice farmers in the Delta Ayeyarwady Region, Myanmar. A cross-sectional study was carried out with 454 rice farmers from March-April 2022. Data collection was done through face-to-face interviews used with a semi-structured questionnaire. The study showed that the mean age of farmers was 44.36 years old while the range was 16 and 74 years old. Rice farmers' average weight (± standard deviation) was 56.86 (± 7.30) kg. In this study, over two-thirds of the rice farmers (77 %) had a moderate level of knowledge regarding environmental awareness related to pesticides, exposure, and toxicity of pesticides. Likewise, almost rice farmers in the participants (94 %) had a moderate practice level regarding pesticide handling, management, storage, and hygiene. Regarding potential of risk assessment, in the cross-sectional study of rice farmers in Ayeyarwady, (87%) of the respondents applied insecticides while 73 % and 29% were herbicides and fungicides users, accordingly. For determination of health risk assessment, inhaling a large amount of organophosphate group (acephate, chlorpyrifos, and dimethoate, pyrethroids group (Lambda-Cyhalothrin and cypermethrin) and carbonate group (carbofuran and cartap hydrochloride) during loading, mixing, and spraying of these pesticides without proper respirators. To evaluate the potential occupational exposure of rice farmers in this community, the mean average daily dose (ADD) of acephate, chlorpyrifos, and dimethoate of the organophosphate group was 8× 10-3 mg/kg-day, 1.53 × 10-3 mg/kg-day and 7.91 × 10-3 mg/kg-day, pyrethroid group of cypermethrin 1.91 × 10-3 mg/kg-day and lambda-cyhalothrin 1.26× 10-4 mg/kg-day, and carbonate group of carbofuran and cartap Hydrochloride of rice farmers at 2.27× 10-3 mg/kg-day and 9.6×10-4 mg/kg-day, respectively. To characterize non-cancer risk, a hazard quotient (HQ) was applied. The HQ for the organophosphate group of chlorpyrifos acute and sub-chronic exposures was 5.1 times while 23.93 times was chronic exposure exceeded the acceptable level (greater than 1) in both short-term and long-term. In conclusion, there has a higher potential of inhalation exposure for rice farmers in Ayeyarwady, Delta Region in Myanmar might be exposed to chlorpyrifos of organophosphate group in pesticide application. Regarding, health adverse effects related to pesticide exposure, most of the rice farmers in the study areas suffered acute symptoms was dizziness accounted for 239 (53%). Likewise, (31.8%) of rice farmers suffered from dizziness as a sub-chronic symptom within one month after application of the pesticide. In addition, subjective signs, and symptoms related to pesticide exposure (14%) of the participants often suffered headaches, and (9%) feeling nervous were the most occurrence symptoms.