Prevalence of Ophthalmological and Dermatological Problems Related to Pesticide Exposure among Sugarcane Farm Workers in Western Maharashtra

BACKGROUND Insecticides, herbicides, etc. are frequently used to improve yields and its overuse and improper use affects the respiratory, cardiovascular systems as well as the eyes and skin of farmers (that is ophthalmological and dermatological systems). Thus, there is need to analyse the prevalence of ophthalmological and dermatological problems related to pesticide exposure among sugarcane farmers in western Maharashtra, which will help to provide advices for education and prevention. The purpose of this study was to analyze and find out the prevalence of ophthalmological and dermatological problems related to pesticide exposure among sugarcane farm workers in western Maharashtra. METHODS This study was an observational studywhich was carried out in southern zone of western Maharashtra. Depending on the basis of inclusion, (males 35 – 45 years old, Exposure more than 5 years.) and exclusion criteria (females, farmers with hypertension and any other metabolic diseases.) 79 farmers (sample size) were selected. Study duration was six months and it was conducted from July 2020 to December 2020. Written consent was taken from them. Participants were selected by random sampling method from 19 villages of western Maharashtra and their detailed outcome assessment was done by using dermatological assessment (assessment of skin) and ophthalmological assessment (assessment of eyes) protocol. RESULTS The obtained results had shown significant problems in both ophthalmological and dermatological systems. Ophthalmological problems are irritation in eyes [51 (64.55 %)] in subjects of the sample size [79 (100 %)], burning sensation [48 (60.7 %)], itching [43 (54.4 %)], blurring of vision [17 (21.5 %)], watering of eyes [35 (44.3 %)], cataract [2 (2.53 %)] and conjunctivitis [10 (12.65 %)]. Out of above problems, irritation in eyes, burning sensation and itching were the most common problems. Dermatological problems are contact dermatitis [(29 (36.70 %)], urticaria [13 (16.4 %)], ashy dermatosis [5 (6.32 %)], itching [46 (58.22 %)], hypopigmentation [1 (1.26 %)], nail dystrophy [0 (0 %)], skin cancer [0 (0 %)] erythema multiforme [9 (11.39 %)] and people are found to be dehydrated [51 (64.55 %)]. Out of above problems, itching (46 subjects) and dehydrated skin (51 subjects) were the most common problems. CONCLUSIONS It was concluded that a large number of pesticide exposed sugarcane farmers were exposed to various impairments with different levels of vulnerability. Both, ophthalmological and dermatological systems are vulnerable. Prevalence of ophthalmological and dermatological problems were 37.2 % and 21.6 % respectively. KEY WORDS Pesticides, Insecticides, Contact Dermatitis, Porphyria Cutanea Tarda, Urticaria, Cataract, Conjunctivitis, Blurring of Vision