Online Program

280924
Effect of a culturally-sensitive pesticide safety training on pesticide exposure and DNA damage levels among indigenous farmworkers in Oregon


Monday, November 4, 2013 : 2:46 p.m. - 3:02 p.m.

Jennifer Runkle, PhD, School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Julie Samples, JD, Farmworker Program, Oregon Law Center, Hillsboro, OR
Juan Muniz, MS, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Nargess Shadbeh, JD, Farmworker Program, Oregon Law Center, Portland, OR
Linda A. McCauley, RN, PhD, FAAN, FAAOHN, School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Background: Pesticide induced genotoxic damage presents in agricultural populations occupationally exposed to pesticides. Research shows that agricultural populations are at increased risk of hazardous exposure to pesticides, but biomonitoring studies have yet to examine early biological effects of occupational exposure to organophosphate pesticides following receipt of pesticide safety training. Objective: Examine the effect of a culturally-sensitive training targeting farmworkers speaking indigenous languages on pesticide exposure and DNA damage. Method: Nursery workers in Willamette Valley (2010-2011) were randomly assigned to either a promotores or a video-based training. Urine and blood samples from 43 farmworkers were analyzed for (1) DAP urinary metabolites as biomarkers of organophosphate (OP) pesticide exposure and (2) DNA damage as a biomarker of effect using Comet assay, as well as changes in pesticide knowledge scores, were evaluated pre- and post-intervention. Results: No significant changes in pesticide knowledge scores were observed. Both groups showed significant reductions in total metabolite levels from baseline to follow-up; the video group dropped an average of -2.23 ug/g Creatinine (SD=2.72; p=.02) and the promotor group showed an average reduction of -1.86 ug/g Creatinine (SD=1.01; p<0.01). After adjusting for baseline values, follow-up testing revealed a significant reduction in mean comet tail length for the promotor group (post: 40.31 ± 17.27µm vs. pre: 54.29 ±23.22 µm) compared to the video intervention (post: 45.87± 16.13 µm vs. pre: 38.07± 17.87 µm). Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that any culturally-sensitive intervention targeting indigenous farmworkers may reduce exposure and potentially modulate DNA damage in workers occupationally exposed to OP pesticides.

Learning Areas:

Diversity and culture
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Occupational health and safety
Public health biology

Learning Objectives:
Discuss and examine the effect of a culturally-sensitive training targeting farmworkers speaking indigenous languages on pesticide exposure and DNA damage.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: As a lawyer, I have worked to advocate for migrant farmworkers for over 20 years. I have been director of Oregon Law Center's Farmworker Program since 2002 and work to improve the lives of migrant farmworkers in Oregon.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.