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Health Effects of Agricultural Pesticides
Book chapter

Health Effects of Agricultural Pesticides

Steven R. Kirkhorn, Beth Baker, Brian Gooley, Kelley J. Donham and Daniel McCabe
Agricultural Medicine, pp.279-334
CRC Press, Third edition
2026
DOI: 10.1201/9781032693071-9

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Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of the types of pesticides used today in production agriculture, how they are used, their acute toxicity, hypothesized chronic toxicity, and methods to treat and prevent poisonings. Furthermore, we attempt to provide health and safety professionals with better tools for evidence-based anticipation, recognition, treatment, prevention, and accurate risk communication to their agricultural patients/clients about this group of chemicals. To do so, ongoing research efforts, such as The Agricultural Health Study (AHS), will add to the cumulative knowledge of population-based health studies. The AHS is an ongoing program funded by a coalition of the National Cancer Institute, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, and the Environmental Protection Agency. This study assesses health effects by focusing on chronic health effects and pesticide exposure of licensed pesticide applicators and their spouses in Iowa and North Carolina. Published papers since 1994 have assessed self-reported diseases and health conditions, including but not limited to autoimmune conditions, cancer, reproductive concerns, cardiac, respiratory, and gastrointestinal health conditions.

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