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KMID : 0379320040290020265
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Korean Journal of Rural Medicine
2004 Volume.29 No. 2 p.265 ~ p.285
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The Relationship between Pesticide Exposure and Central Nervous System Symptoms
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Kwon Young-Jun
Kang Tae-Sun
Kim Kyung-Ran
Lee Kyung-Suk
Ju Young-Su
Song Jae-Chul
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Abstract
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Objectives: The acute toxic effects of pesticide are well known. Concern has also been expressed that long-term exposure may result in damage to the central nervous system. This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that central nervous system symptoms might occur due to pesticide exposure.
Methods: In a cross-sectional study, first, cumulative exposure index (CEI) was estimated. Neurologic symptoms (Q-16 questionnaire) for 541 farmers (exposed to pesticides) were compared with 119 non-exposed persons in spraying season nine rural areas in Korea.
Results: The pesticides poisoning rates for last 3 months were 67.2% for orchard farmers, 55.3%for dry field farmers, and 20.5% for husbandry farmers, respectively, showing significant difference (p<0.001). Compared with non-exposure group, exposure groups (especially, orchard farmers) reported significantly more neurologic symptoms and had a higher overall neurological symptoms score (p<0.001). Factors related to the positive neurological symptoms (answers "yes" to six or more of Q-16 questionnaire) adjusted for age, sex, education level, smoking and alcohol drinking were type of farming (OR 3.08, 95% CI 1.50-6.30 in orchard farmers vs non-exposure group), CEI (OR 2.75, 95% CI 1.12-6.78 in Q3 vs Q1), past poisoning (OR 1.97, 95% CI 1.21-3.20 vs normal), current mild poisoning (OR 3.03, 9500 CI 1.47-6.22 vs normal) and current moderate poisoning (OR 6.34, 95% CI 3.03-13.25 vs normal), respectively.
Conclusions: These results suggest that long-term exposure to pesticides appears to be associated with subtle changes in the central nervous system.
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KEYWORD
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Cumulative exposure index , Pesticide poisoning , Neurological symptoms , Central nervous system toxicity
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