Farm Families' Attitudes and Practices Regarding Pesticide Application and Protective Clothing: A Five- State Comparison

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Abstract
A survey offarm families in five states was conducted to determine attitudes and practices regarding pesticide application and protective clothing. Specific objectives included determining relationships among actual risk factors, perceived risk, and precautionary activities as well as identifying practices that needed modification in order to reduce risks associated with use ofpesticides. Some analyses suggested a positive relationship between actual and perceived risk measures whereas others did not. For example, the two states reporting the highest use ofmore toxic chemicals and greatest incidence of healthproblems related to pesticide application also accounted for the highest average ratings on the overall perceived health risk scale. On the other hand, the majority of growers in each state assumed that common work clothingprotected them from dermal exposure regardless ofthe formulation or application method they were using. Although most growers reported following recommended practices such as wearing gloves during pesticide application and storing pesticide-soiled clothing separatefrom other laundry, enough deviation occurred to indicate the need for continuing education on pesticide hazards.