Pesticide-Related Illnesses in Washington

Washington State Department of Health
Pesticide Program
1-888-586-9427

Public Health
Always working for a safer and healthier Washington

Pesticide Program



Illness Surveillance / Prevention

DOH, Pesticide Program



Investigations of Pesticide incidents – 2001 data*

DOH compared to enforcement agencies



*Pesticide cases investigated as reported in the 2003 WA annual PIRT report

Distribution of 2001 cases* by County



*cases considered definitely, probably, or possibly due to pesticide exposure

DOH classification of investigated cases 2001 data



Definite, probable, possible

Causal relationship must be plausible:

• Signs and symptoms documented during investigation are consistent with the known toxicology of the pesticide(s) involved.
• The time of symptom onset and pattern must be plausible for the exposure documented.

Level of confirmation of exposure/health effect

Definite		+ objective evidence of exposure	+ objective clinical evidence of health effect
Probable	1
	2
Possible		Report by case, witnesses, spray records	Two or more symptoms reported by HCP or case

DOH cases* 2000-2001 data



*cases considered definitely, probably, or possibly due to pesticide exposure

Tip of the Iceberg?

Nature of exposure
Agricultural cases, 2000-2001 cases*



*cases considered definitely, probably, or possibly due to pesticide exposure

Activity of person exposed
Agricultural cases, 2000-2001 cases*



*cases considered definitely, probably, or possibly due to pesticide exposure

Exposures to Pesticide Residues
Agricultural Cases, 1995-1999



Systemic and Topical Illness/Injury* Trend
Agricultural Handlers and AChE Inhibitors



*cases considered definitely, probably, or possibly due to pesticide exposure
** Handler = mix, load, or apply, repair spray equipment

Top crops involved
Agricultural cases, 2000-2001



*cases considered definitely, probably, or possibly due to pesticide exposure

Key prevention messages Agricultural cases

• Target prevention in apples, potatoes
  • Handlers – eye protection, other PPE
  • Drift reduction to protect field workers/bystanders
  • More attention to field residue exposure (are re-entry intervals followed, protective?)

DOH case 020005



Photo: Doug Wilson, ARS photo gallery

• 24 y/o male
• Licensed applicator
• October chemigation for potatoes
• Shift is from 5PM to 4 AM
• Checks application every 2 hours

Pesticide involved

• Metam sodium (Sectagon 42) (Forms MITC in soil, fumigant)
• Possible replacement for methyl bromide
• Known irritant to eyes, respiratory, skin

DOH Case 020005

• Full PPE (respirator and suit) while in field
• In his pick-up truck 100 ft from field when he wasn't checking the field (no PPE)
• Fell asleep in truck after shift (4 AM)
• Awoke at 10 AM - strong smell in truck
• Temperature inversion

Health effect

Initial symptoms

• Burning in lungs and throat
• Chest tightness
• Went to ER, same day
• Chest X-ray: negative

Medical follow-up

• Recheck at 7 days
• Dx. Exposure to inhaled irritant/mild bronchospasm
• Prescribed inhaler
• DOH followed - 8 wks
  • c/o Burning in lungs
  • c/o Shortness of breath

DOH Actions

• Classified “Possible”
• DOH provided case description to EPA during metam sodium re-registration .
• Letters of support for research into drift reduction and alternatives to chemigation for potato field fumigation

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