Secondary school students in Chiangmai Province whose parents were agricultural
workers were found to have significantly higher urinary pyrethroid
insecticide metabolites than did other children.20 In addition, children living
inside or near farm areas during the spraying season had significantly higher
levels of dialklyphosphate metabolites (from organophosphate and carbamate
insecticides), compared to the children living outside farm areas.21 The chlorpyrifos
pesticide levels in the air and surfaces of farm families’ homes were
higher than, though not statistically significantly different from, those of nonfarm
families in the chili-growing area of Ubonratchathani province.22
These studies suggest that the children of agricultural workers may be at
risk for a range of health effects if chronically exposed throughout their
development.