Pesticide Poisoning of Farm Workers: Implications of Blood Test Results from Vietnam

14 Pages Posted: 22 Jul 2005

See all articles by Susmita Dasgupta

Susmita Dasgupta

World Bank - Development Research Group (DECRG)

Craig M. Meisner

The World Bank; The World Bank

David Wheeler

World Bank - Policy Research Department

Nhan Thi Lam

Central Medical Laboratory of the Tien Giang Preventive Medicine Centre

Khuc Xuyen

National Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health, Vietnam

Date Written: June 2005

Abstract

In this paper, we have assessed the incidence and determinants of pesticide poisoning among rice farmers in Vietnam's Mekong Delta. Blood cholinesterase tests suggest that the incidence of poisoning from exposure to organophosphates and carbamates is quite high in Vietnam. Using the medical test results as benchmarks, we find that farmers' self-reported symptoms have very weak associations with actual poisoning. Regression analysis of blood tests reveals a lower incidence of poisoning for farmers who avoid the most toxic pesticides and use protective items. We also find very large provincial differences in poisoning incidence after we control for individual factors. Our results highlight the potential importance of negative externalities, and suggest that future research on pesticide-related damage should include information on local water, air and soil contamination.

Suggested Citation

Dasgupta, Susmita and Meisner, Craig M. and Wheeler, David and Lam, Nhan Thi and Xuyen, Khuc, Pesticide Poisoning of Farm Workers: Implications of Blood Test Results from Vietnam (June 2005). World Bank Policy Research Working Paper No. 3624, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=756829

Susmita Dasgupta (Contact Author)

World Bank - Development Research Group (DECRG) ( email )

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Craig M. Meisner

The World Bank ( email )

1818 H Street
Washington, DC 20433
United States

The World Bank ( email )

1818 H Street N.W
Washington, DC 20433
United States

David Wheeler

World Bank - Policy Research Department ( email )

1818 H Street N.W.
Washington, DC 20433
United States

HOME PAGE: http://econ.worldbank.org/staff/dwheeler

Nhan Thi Lam

Central Medical Laboratory of the Tien Giang Preventive Medicine Centre

Khuc Xuyen

National Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health, Vietnam

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