ASSESSMENT OF HEALTH RISKS FROM USING PESTICIDES BY FARMERS IN LAK SONG SUBDISTRICT, BAN PHAEO DISTRICT, SAMUT SAKHON PROVINCE

Abstract

This research is a cross-sectional descriptive study. The objective is to study the health risks of farmers in Lak Song Subdistrict, Ban Phaeo District. Samut Sakhon Province from receiving or being exposed to hazardous chemicals during agricultural work. The population of the study is a group of farmer registered 1 person per household with the Department of Agricultural Extension, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives. The samples for the study were 210 farmers obtained by random sampling from a total of 1080 households in Lak Song Subdistrict. When studying the health conditions of the sample farmers in the past 6 months, it was found that there were abnormal symptoms after using or being exposed to pesticides, 90 people out of 210 people, accounting for 42.86 percent with symptoms of the respiratory system, skin rash, eye irritation, fatigue and numbness, 76 people, accounting for 36.19 percent, blurred vision, chest pain, nausea and vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, and muscle fatigue,13 people, accounting for 6.19 percent, and unconsciousness, 1 person, accounting for 0.48 percent. In the study of farmers' behavior in using pesticides that cause the risk, it was divided into 3 levels: low opportunity level 32 people, accounting for 15.24 percent, medium level: 45 people, accounting for 21.43 percent, and high level: 13 people, accounting for 6.19 percent. When the opportunity to be exposed to pesticides was combined with the severity level of the disease to make a Risk Matrix, the results could be concluded that in the use of pesticides by farmers in Lak Song Subdistrict, Ban Phaeo District Samut Sakhon Province, there was a high level of health risk at 19 people, calculated as 9.05 percent, a relatively high level, 47 people, calculated as 22.38 percent, a moderate level, 49 people, calculated as 23.33 percent, and a low level of health risk 95 people, calculated as 45.24 percent, without people at very high risk of health. It could be seen that the incorrect behavior of using pesticides had an impact on the health of farmers. Guidelines for solving such problems, Public health officials in the area of responsibility should monitor the disease and provide education to farmers who use pesticides.