Dermatitis in Ecuadorean farm workers

Using a cross-sectional survey of potato farm workers in northern Ecuador, we examined the relationship between pesticide exposure and skin disorders, From a farm population census, all pesticide applicators and 1/2 of exposed field workers were selected. Controls were age-matched from urban occupations. Individual exposure measures included overall years and current hours working with pesticides. Farm-level measures included numbers of applications over the last 6 months and an application practices score (range 0–4). Each participant underwent a clinical skin examination, with patch tests to maneb on a sample of dermatitis cases. Exposure-related increase in conjunctivitis (7% of applicators, 0% in other groups), dermatitis (68% of exposed and 55%. of applicators versus 31% of controls. p < 0.001) and pigmentation disorders (25% of exposed and applicators vs 10%, controls. p=0.0.06) were found. Among dermatitis cases (n=117). 5% were positive to maneb on patch testing. In logistic regression analysts, significant predictors (p < 0.1) of dermatitis included years using fungicides (OR=1.12 per year) and poor application practices (OR=1.42 per score unit). Agricultural fungicide application in high-exposure situations can contribute to dermatitis prevalence among farm populations.