Agricultural Occupational and Environmental Health

Changes were made to a computerized testing system, the Behavioral Assessment and Research System (BARS), so that it could be used in young populations and populations that do not speak English. BARS is a testing method that measures a variety of neurological functions such as attention, memory and coordination and is sensitive to environmental and occupational exposures. Changes made to BARS include using simple language instructions that are broken down into basic concepts and presented step-by-step format and the ability to adjust the level of difficulty and length of each test. The addition of rewards (smiling faces and a token dispenser) for positive performance, were also added. Data gathered in this study shows that BARS can be used in preschool populations and for non-English speaking children.

The Behavioral Assessment and Research System (BARS), is often used to compare test performance of a group of people exposed to chemicals in their workplace or environment to a group of similar but unexposed people. However, age, education and cultural background can affect performance on these tests. Three groups, English-speaking adults, Spanish-speaking adolescents, and Spanish-speaking migrant adolescents, took the same BARS tests four times. Results showed that performance on tests measuring motor skills were very similar across the four sessions, while more complex tests involving attention and memory showed the effect of practice.

The Behavioral Assessment and Research System (BARS), was used to look at two groups of Hispanic adolescents, one currently working in agriculture (Ag) and one not migratory and not working in agriculture (Non-Ag). The Non-Ag group performed significantly better than the Ag group on tests of attention and memory. However, these differences may be explained by educational and cultural differences. Repeat testing of the Ag group showed substantially improved performance. Suggestions for future research include using a longitudinal design with repeat testing events. Multiple testing events may be important for making accurate conclusions in migrant farmworker groups where there may not be a true comparison group.

This is a summary of information from a workshop on community-based research on the health risks of farmworkers' exposure to pesticides. Scientists, community organization members, and agency representatives discussed the methods and relationships that have been successful in past community research programs and how to apply this to new situations. The objectives of the workshop were to a) be a forum to discuss community-based research programs with farmworkers; b) describe the successes and barriers of different projects to develop models and methods for community-based research; and c) determine the future directions and needs of farmworker community-based research for environmental justice.

A portable test kit was used to determine blood cholinesterase levels for 98 migrant farmworker children and 53 non-agricultural children of the same age. Blood cholinesterase levels can provide useful data on pesticide exposures. Results showed that levels were not significantly different between the two groups and that the portable test kit can be used effectively.

This paper discusses the development of a video "Un Lugar Seguro Para Sus Ninos", aimed at teaching Latino farmworker families ways to protect their children from pesticide exposure. The video was produced as collaboration between researchers at Oregon Health Science University and the Migrant Head Start operator for Oregon, Oregon Child Development Coalition. The process of selecting a video as the best presentation format and the development and evaluation of the video included four areas; 1) identifying the optimal training method and content, 2) evaluating existing educational materials on pesticides; 3) developing the selected method; and 4) assessing the effectiveness of the video as an intervention. The discussion also shares lessons learned while doing research in culturally diverse populations.

A battery of computerized Behavioral Assessment and Research System (BARS) tests have been combined with a series of non-computerized tests to assess neurobehavioral effects of pesticide exposure among children of migrant farm workers. The tests are designed to measure cognitive functions including attention, memory, motor speed and coordination. Development of the Neurobehavioral tests included trial testing among both English and Spanish-speaking children, in order to assess both the difficulties of working with children between the ages of 4 and 6 and to also determine the challenges of testing in two different languages among different cultures. Discrepancies in results from the English-speaking versus Spanish-speaking children raised questions about cultural appropriateness of some testing material. Changes were made to various components of the testing in order to make BARS effective with the predominately Latino population of migrant farmworkers.

A cross-sectional study of adolescent migrant farmworkers was conducted in 1998 to investigate their work practices, health beliefs, and pesticide knowledge. Whereas few adolescents reported having received pesticide safety training, over 20% reported that their work involved mixing and applying agricultural pesticides. This article describes this emerging workforce and suggests the need for specialized education and training for these young workers.

Levels of organophosphate pesticides were measured in the house dust of 24 families in an agricultural region of Oregon state. Homes with individuals whose work included farming activities such as mixing, loading or applying pesticides, flagging, or tree thinning had significantly higher levels of pesticide residues in their household carpet dust. Mean levels of pesticides were also higher in homes where workers waited more than two hours before changing out of their work clothes. The article describes how families living in agricultural regions can decrease the risk of home pesticide contamination by adopting certain behavior change practices.

Focus groups were conducted with 33 adolescent migrant farmworkers in Oregon. The discussions were framed around an ecological model and explored adolescents’ risk perception and health beliefs associated with pesticide exposure. Adolescents provided insight on such topics as perceived vulnerability of illness due to pesticide exposure, attitudes toward farmwork, influence of their boss, knowledge of occupational hazards, safety training, and barriers to occupational choice.