Field study: U.S. farmworkers and pesticide safety

This paper reviews reports on sev.eral RFRbioeffects topics considered potentially hazardous to humans. RFR is a generic term for electromagnetic fields with frequencies up to 300 GHz, excluding those produced by highvoltage power-transmission lines. RFR-bioeffects topics discussed include: epidemioloa; mutagenesis, carcinogenesis, and cytogeneiic effects; teratogenesis and developmental abnormalities; and effects on the nervous system. Based on these reviews, the authors believe that chronic exposure to RFR at average potver densities belon lmW/cm” or at SARs belo~r 0.4 VVlkg are not hazardous to human health, but they also conclude that further research is needed.

Evaluation of Foot Swelling and LowerLimb Temperatures in Relation to Leg Activity During Long-Term Seated Office Work. ]. Winkel. Ergonomics. February 1986, 29(B), 313-328. Studies of foot s\velling and lovver leg skin temperature vvere made on seven female office workers at three le\.els of leg activity: inactive. semiactive, and acti1.e sitting. Results show that physiological stress and discomfort due to prolonged inactivity can be alleviated bv injecting a minor amount of leg kinematics as a part of sedentary vvork.

Farming, Pesticides and Occupational Health. A. 0. Carter, Occupational Health in Ontario, Winter 1986, 7(l), 19-37. Mortality and morbidity rates are rising in the agricultural industry because of the increased use of machines and pesticides. The greatest concern regarding pesticides is for potential chronic effects resulting from exposure. Preliminary research indicates a possibility that some pesticides are carcinogenic and farmers have a higher risk for certain types of cancer. Recommendations include improving materials handling, developing safer pesticides, and decreasing the amount used. This can be accomplished by means of better education, legislation,

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better cooperation between the government and the agricultural community, and especially, a global focus similar to Integrated Pest hlanagement vvhich tries to curtail pesticide use.

Fiber Size and Number in Workers Exposed to Processed Chrysotile Asbestos, Chrysotile Miners, and the General Population. A. Churg and B. Wiggs, American /ournal of Industrial Medicine, 1986, 9(Z): 143-152. Chrysotile and chrysotile-associated amphibole (tremolite) asbestos fibers found in 21 millers, 20 miners, and 20 members of the public (controls) were analyzed. Fiber size and concentration data clearly identified those workers exposed to processed ores. The authors concluded that longer fibers nere found in the lungs of processedore users and chrysotile miners: the longer fibers found in the processed-ore users might correlate with certain higher disease rates among them; tremolite has been shown to be a potential cause for the development of mesothelioma; and despite various types of fibers, concentrations, sizes, and the inability to be retained for very long in the lung, exposure to chrysotile can be determined by means of mineralogic analysis.

Field Study: U.S. Farmworkers and Pesticide Safety. R. F. Wasserstrom and R. Wiles, World Resources Institute, Washington, DC, July 1985. The authors discuss both the scientific and the policy issues regarding pesticide use and agricultural safety. Pesticide registration, chlorobenzilate, applicator training and field worker protection, research needs and data requirements, and strengthening the EPA’s Regulatory Program are among the topics discussed.

Job Load and Hazard Analysis: A .Method for the Analysis of Workplace Conditions for Occupational Health Care. M. K. iLfattila, Brit-

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