Risk behaviors for pesticide exposure among pregnant women living in farmworker households in Salinas, California

Background Farmworkers and their families are at risk for pesticide exposure, however, little is known about behaviors that increase their risk. We determined the frequency of risky behaviors among pregnant farmworkers and characterized those at greatest risk. Methods Participants included 153 pregnant farmworkers and 248 pregnant non-farmworkers who resided with farmworkers from the CHAMACOS (Center for the Health Assessment of Mothers and Children of Salinas) study. We examined risky behaviors relating to handwashing, bathing, protective clothing, house cleaning, laundering of work clothes, wearing of work clothes and shoes into the home, and eating produce from the fields. Results Between 25 and 60% of women demonstrated risky behavior on each item. Practices of households with pregnant farmworkers and non-farmworkers did not differ. Women who lived in the United States longer, and in crowded households demonstrated the most risky behavior overall. Conclusions Pregnant farmworkers and those living with farmworkers need to be educated to reduce potential take-home pesticide exposure. Am. J. Ind. Med. 45:491–499, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.