Pesticide use in Viet Nam is growing, with imports soaring from 21,400 tonnes in 1991 to 37,000 tonnes in 1997. The number of farmers directly exposed to these hazardous chemicals has increased in proportion.

Of the approximately 58 million workers engaged in agricultural production in Viet Nam, 60 per cent are women. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is one the most effective means of safeguarding their health.

In 1997-1998, State Project KHCN 11-08 – "Study impact of hazardous chemicals used in agricultural production on workers health: Preventive measures" – proposed activities to raise awareness and promote the use of PPE among agricultural workers, most of them women, in the village of Van Noi, Dong Anh District, Hanoi.

Measures included a survey of the use of pesticides and PPE, preparation of training materials and courses, provision of PPE for workers, and assessment of PPE use among female workers.

• vegetable-growing village in Van Noi, Dong Anh, Hanoi
• total cultivated area: 280 ha
• area for cultivating vegetables: 145 ha
• total number of households: 2,000 with a population of 8,500 persons
• labour force: 3,000 persons, 60 per cent of them female
• annual income: 8 billion VND, of which 4.2 billion VND is derived from vegetable cultivation

Currently, the land under cultivation is infested with pests, and workers feel they have to use more pesticides. The number of workers directly exposed to pesticides is increasing, and many cases of accidental poisoning have been reported in the village. For this reason, Van Noi was selected for the project field study. At the same time, the project aimed to improve working conditions and raise awareness of OSH issues among female workers using pesticides.

• random selection of studied objects.
• direct interviews with and distribution of questionnaires to village authorities and members of 50 households, collecting information on crop types, kinds of pests, types of pesticides used, methods of spraying pesticides, and use of PPE
• direct observation and photography
• expert consultations

• NILP researchers
• staff from the Plant Protection Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
• Van Noi village managers

Vegetables and pests:

• In Van Noi village, a variety of vegetables – including cabbage, tomato, kohlrabi, cauliflower, and Chinese pea – are planted year-round. Eight different kinds of pest – including Phitella maculipennes curtis, Erwinia carotovora and Phytophthora injecstans – threaten these crops.

Use of pesticides:

• All households reported the use of a variety of pesticides for killing insects and other pests. Research indicates that 17 different kinds of pesticides are in local use, of which 13 are insecticides and 4 are fungicides. Seventy per cent of these pesticides incorporate organo phosphates and carbamates, which are World Health Organization (WHO) category 1 and 2 substances and are dangerous to humans. Banned pesticides such as Wofatox and Monitor are also used occasionally.
• The quantity of pesticides used, on average, is 9 kg ai/ha/crop, which exceeds the producers’ recommended limit by 6 times.
• Crops are sprayed an average of 10 times each, which exceeds the producers’ recommended limit by 4 times.
• On average, workers are exposed 150 hours per year.
• Villagers use portable, backpack-mounted pumps for spraying pesticide. Fifty-seven per cent of these pumps are old and leak liquid pesticide, which can be absorbed through the skin. Workers’ hands, arms, faces, chests, and backs are continually exposed to pesticide during spraying operations.

Pesticide poisoning:

• Among the 50 households surveyed, 31 per cent of the people who were directly exposed to pesticides were female. Of the respondents, 80 per cent had been poisoned at least once, reporting symptoms such as itching, nausea, and dizziness.

Use of PPE:

• All of those surveyed understood that spraying pesticides entailed the risk of poisoning, and that they should use PPE. What remained in question was the proper use of PPE and which PPE was most appropriate. Eighty-two per cent of the people used PPE, but the equipment was often used inappropriately (for example, the use of torn clothing or simple cotton respirators). Producers and suppliers typically provide inadequate training and guidance on the safe use of both pesticides and PPE.

Given types of pesticides in use, types of cultivated land, crop plants, techniques of pesticide use, and existing forms of protective equipment, several types of PPE have been proposed as appropriate for local agricultural activities, among them the following:

• face shields for protection against dust and pesticide mist
• respirators for dust, pesticide mist or vapour, and organic solvents
• aprons for resistance to pesticides
• general-purpose overalls
• gloves for protection against organic solvents and pesticides
• general-purpose rubber boots

Based on the survey results and the list of needed PPE, two kinds of training materials for raising awareness among agricultural workers have been prepared:

• For managers and trainers. General information concerning the use, handling, and storage of pesticides; the ways pesticides are absorbed into the body; and proper use of PPE.
• For workers directly exposed to pesticides. Simple information focused on types of PPE available and criteria for choosing one or the other.

Organization of training courses

• Training courses were organized in the survey village.
• Participants numbered 40 persons, including village managers, medical staff, and the survey subjects, 60 per cent of whom were female workers.
• Trainers presented lectures with visual aids, introducing the proper use of PPE in the fields, and then organized small working-group discussions. All trainees were involved in discussions during the course.
• At the conclusion of the course, all trainee understood the safety and health issues related to pesticide use, and how to use PPE.

In a follow-up activity, five persons selected from these participants were provided with PPE for three months and monitored. Observations confirmed that these people used the PPE properly, and that use of the PPE was effective in protecting against exposure to pesticides. Most of the local farmers have subsequently ordered appropriate PPE.

• The selection of the target community and the timing of the survey was appropriate.
• The background research and field survey were well organized, and there was effective collaboration between researchers and village staff during project implementation.
• A variety of methods were effectively combined during implementation.
• Financial resources, research equipment, and training activities were all well prepared.

Minuses

• The budget was limited, so training courses have not been extended to other villages. The training materials and PPE are inadequate.
• PPE is still too expensive for the farmers.
• An appropriate system for distributing PPE to agricultural workers is still needed.

• We suggest that the Government, when establishing agricultural service cooperatives including anti-pest services, should officially approve the proposed list of PPE for use in mixing and spraying pesticides in rural areas.
• The two sets of training materials referred to above should be printed in large numbers and distributed.
• More training courses should be conducted in other rural areas.
• Official policy should act at the local village level to encourage adequate provision of PPE as well as use of less hazardous pesticides.

1. Jan H. Oudejans. Agro-pesticide and functions in integrated crop protection (Bangkok, ESCAP, 1994).
2. Joint Decision of the MOH, MOLISA, and Ministry of Police No. 89/QD/LB. Regulations on safety and hygienic use of pesticides (18 February 1972).
3. List of PPE (Hanoi, 1990)
4. Tran Quang Hung. Pesticide (Agro-Publish House, 1992).
5. Abu Bakar che Man; David Gold. Safety and health in the use of chemicals at work (Geneva, ILO, 1993).
6. TCVN 5507-1991. Hazardous chemicals: Safety regulations in use, handling and storage.
7. Luu Van Chuc, et al. Study for establishing a list of PPE for different occupations.
8. Final report of the State Project KX-07-15 (Hanoi, 1995).

Updated by PAP/SUT/TRS. Approved by BKL. Last updated on 15 November 2000

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