Evaluation of Exposure to Pyrethroid Pesticides in Highland Cabbage Farmers by Using Biological Monitoring

Abstract This study was conducted to evaluate the use of biological monitoring to determine the factorsthat influence the effects of exposure to pyrethroid pesticides among highland cabbage farmers. Urine wascollected from farmers who was cultivating Chinese cabbage in the relatively highground in Gangwon-do themorning following pesticide application and was analyzed for cis- and trans-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethy-lcyclopropane carboxylic acid (DCCA) and 3-(2,2-dibromovinyl)-2,2-dimethyl cyclopropane carboxylic acid(DBCA). Factors affecting exposure to pesticides, such as wind speed, spraying location, and the use ofprotective gear, were also investigated. Statistical analysis was performed by the Kruskal-Wallis test. Ouranalysis indicated that highland cabbage farmers were exposed to a higher level of pesticides than the generalpublic or other types of farmers. When the wind speed was low, workers who sprayed pesticides wereexposed to a higher level of pesticides compared to the exposure level in an assistant. However, there was nodifference in exposure between the two when wind speed was high.Key words biological monitoring, highland cabbage farmer, pyrethroid pesticide