NIOSHTIC-2 Publications Search

Cancer in migrant and seasonal hired farm workers.

Authors
Mills PK; Dodge J; Yang R
Source
J Agromedicine 2009 Apr; 14(2):185-191
NIOSHTIC No.
20038814
Abstract
Studies of cancer among farm workers are difficult to conduct and interpret given the unique nature of this occupational group. The transitory nature of the work, high levels of poverty, and lack of legal documentation make epidemiologic studies difficult to accomplish. Nevertheless, this workforce in the United States, which numbers as much as 3 million persons, is a high isk population due to exposures to numerous toxic substances, including excessive sunlight, heat, dangerous machinery, fumes, fertizers, dust, and pesticides. We summarize characteristics of farm workers (i.e., demographics, health care) from the National Agricultural Workers Survey (NAWS) and the California Agricultural Workers Survey (CAWS) and present findings from a series of studies conducted among farm workers in California. The epidemiology literature was reviewed and methods for a unique farm worker union-based epidemiologic study are presented. Farm workers in California and the rest of the United States, many of whom are seasonal and migrant workers are at elevated risk for numerous forms of cancer compared to the general population and specific pesticides may be associated with this altered risk. Elevated risks have been found for lymphomas and prostate, brain, leukemia, cervix, and stomach cancers.
Keywords
Agricultural-industry; Agricultural-workers; Cancer-rates; Carcinogens; Demographic-characteristics; Environmental-exposure; Environmental-factors; Environmental-pollution; Epidemiology; Exposure-assessment; Farmers; Health-hazards; Racial-factors; Risk-analysis; Risk-factors; Statistical-analysis; Work-environment; Worker-health; Work-operations; Workplace-studies; Author Keywords: Cancer; epidemiology; migrant farm workers
Contact
Paul K. Mills, PhD, MPH, Associate Chief, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, Fresno Medical Education and Research Program, Fresno, CA 93701, USA
Publication Date
20090401
Document Type
Journal Article
Email Address
PMills@fresno.ucsf.edu
Funding Type
Grant
Fiscal Year
2009
Identifying No.
Grant-Number-R13-OH-009571
Issue of Publication
2
ISSN
1059-924X
Source Name
Journal of Agromedicine
State
WI; CA
Performing Organization
Marshfield Clinic
Page last reviewed: May 11, 2023
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Education and Information Division