Lung Function Among Farmers Exposed To Pesticides

In Sungai Besar Selangor

Syarif Husin Lubis1, Nurhanis Khairani Jamil1, Nihayah Mohammad1, Ismarulyusda Ishak1,
Zariyantey Abdul Hamid1, Ahmad Rohi Ghazali1, Hidayatulfathi Othman1, Faisal Ariffin1, Ab Razak
Ab Rahman1, Eliyas Saad2, Muhammad Ikram A.Wahab3, Noor Sazarina Mad Isa3, Siti Shahara
Zulfakar3, Hanis Mastura Yahya4, Zaini Said5

1
Biomedical Science Programme, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia,
Malaysia,Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2Integrated Agriculture Development Area North-West, Kuala
Selangor, Selangor, Malaysia, 3Environmental Health & Industrial Safety Programme, Faculty of
Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 4Nutritional Sciences
Programme, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 5Health Psychology
Programme, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia

Pesticides have been used widely in agriculture sector to increase productivity.

However, pesticides will cause an adverse effect to human health and have been
associated with lung function impairment. This study was conducted to determine
the lung function of farmers in Sungai Besar, Selangor who exposed to pesticide.
A cross sectional study was conducted using a validated questionnaire. Lung
functions test was carried out using Cosmed Pony FX Spirometer by measuring
the value of Forced Expiratory Volume for one second (FEV 1), Forced Vital
Capacity (FVC) and Percentage Ratio Vital Capacity (FEV 1/FVC). The result
showed the mean value of FEV 1, FVC and FEV1/FVC were 2.26 ± 0.53, 2.84 ±
0.65 and 79.63 ± 9.74 respectively. Lung function of farmers were found to be
61.5% normal, 32.7% restrictive, 3.8 % obstructive and 2.0% having both
restrictive and obstructive. The result showed a negative correlation between
FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC with working period (r = -0.12, r = -0.13, and r = -0.25
respectively). There were positive correlation between FEV 1, FVC and FEV1/FVC
with length of exposure to pesticides (r = -0.11, r = -0.14, and r = -0.02
respectively) and no significant difference (p>0.05) between mean value of FEV 1,
FVC and FEV1/FVC and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). In conclusion,
this study showed that duration of exposure to pesticides will lead to impairment
of lung function among farmers.

Key words: Pesticides, FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, PPE.