Background: Occupational end users of pesticides may experience bodily absorption of the pesticide
products they use, risking possible health effects. The purpose of this paper is to provide a guide for
researchers, practitioners, and policy makers working in the field of agricultural health or other areas
where occupational end use of pesticides and exposure issues are of interest.
Methods: This paper characterizes the health effects of pesticide exposure, jobs associated with pesticide
use, pesticide-related tasks, absorption of pesticides through the skin, and the use of personal protective
equipment (PPE) for reducing exposure.
Conclusions: Although international and national efforts to reduce pesticide exposure through regulatory
means should continue, it is difficult in the agricultural sector to implement engineering or system
controls. It is clear that use of PPE does reduce dermal pesticide exposure but compliance among the
majority of occupationally exposed pesticide end users appears to be poor. More research is needed on
higher-order controls to reduce pesticide exposure and to understand the reasons for poor compliance
with PPE and identify effective training methods.