serval:BIB_2ADB0C285381
Occupational exposure to plant protection products and health effects in Switzerland: what do we know and what do we need to do?
10.4414/smw.2018.14610
000440404600003
29698541
Graczyk
Halshka
author
Hopf
Nancy B.
author
Mediouni
Zakia
author
Guseva-Canu
Irina
author
Sanvido
Olivier
author
Schmid
Kaspar
author
Berthet
Aurélie
author
article
2018
Swiss Medical Weekly
1424-3997
0036-7672
journal
148
w14610
There is currently no centralised database on workers' exposures to plant protection products (PPPs) in Switzerland, nor a national register for negative health effects linking them to occupational PPP exposure. This lack of basic data makes it difficult to implement either epidemiological research or prevention campaigns for the agricultural sector. The first objective was to understand the level of information and flow of data on occupational PPP exposures and health effects in the Canton of Vaud, Switzerland. Then, to apply this information to develop recommendations for improving a vigilance system for occupational health effects related to PPP exposure.
A mapping study and semistructured stakeholder interviews were conducted to better understand the flow of data on occupational PPP exposures and health effects. A clinical records investigation of workers occupationally exposed to PPPs was undertaken to understand the magnitude of this potential problem. Finally, a workshop brought together relevant stakeholders to discuss recommendations for the way forwards.
A lack of data on PPP exposures and associated health effects was revealed. This highlighted important knowledge gaps at different levels of the current institutional information flow system. We found that although there were numerous stakeholders that worked efficiently in their own mandate, there was a clear need for increased collaboration and coordination in order to make use of existing data to promote safer PPP use among agricultural workers in Switzerland.
Due to increasing evidence of an association between PPP exposure and health effects, increased collaboration between stakeholders is necessary to develop links between the data sources that already exist. Our study was the first to investigate the health effects linked to PPP exposure among the Swiss agricultural population. The recommendations presented in this paper would help promote a safer and healthier agricultural workforce in Switzerland, as well as the population at large.
Adult
Agriculture/organization & administration
Cooperative Behavior
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Occupational Exposure/adverse effects
Occupational Exposure/analysis
Occupational Health/standards
Pesticides/adverse effects
Pesticides/poisoning
Switzerland
eng
60_published
true
peer-reviewed
Publication types: Journal Article
Publication Status: epublish
University of Lausanne
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