Poster Abstracts, May 2, 1991

AGRICULTURAL ACCIDENTS AND ILLNESS AMONG  r-l

CALIFORNIA WORKERS'
COMPENSATION CLAIMANTS

By David F. Goldsmith, Ph.D., James J. Beaumont, Ph.D.
Lynne A. MOE&, B.S., Man: B. Schenkec M.D., M.P.H.
     Unlversity of California, Davis, California

Agriculture has equalled mining as the most hazardous industry in the U.S. As part of the
University of California Davis Center for Agricultural Health and Safety, epidemiologists are
examining California Workers' Compensation (WC) Appeals Board claims to describe the
accident and illness risks among farm employees. Preluninary findings of 80 claimants who filed
between 1946 to 1964 show that all were farm workers (not farmers), and about 90 percent were
white or Hispanic males with a mean age of 46 years of age. Of the 27 respiratory disease
claims, 14 percent filed because they had valley fever (coccidiomycosis), 27 percent had other
(mostly chronic) respiratory illness, 41 percent filed because of pesticide illnesses, and 18
percent filed because of multiple effects of inhaled toxic materials, i.e., solvents and agricultural
burning. Among the 53 farm laborers filing WC accident claims, 11 percent were for hernias, 20
percent were for fractures, 18 percent were for contusions and other wounds, and 52 percent
were for traumatic injuries. Follow-up proportionate mortality ratio (PMR) analysis from 1950
to 1984 of the injury claimants employed in agriculture indicated that these farm workers have
an elevated risk for malignant neoplasms of lung (PMR = 2.39), for vascular lesions of the
central nervous system (PMR = 2.95), and for all external deaths (PMR = 1.95) when com-
pared to U.S. white males. This preliminary study demonstrates that WC data are extremely
useful to describe illness and injury patterns among agricultural workers. Furthermore, the
mortality findings suggest that there is an elevated risk of lung cancer, stroke, and external
causes even after injury claims are filed, New epidemiologic research is needed to elucidate the
risk factors for the excess rate of occupational injury and death now being observed in the
agricultural workplace.

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Making Connections

VISUAL MATERIAL FOR PESTICIDE SAFE7Y LESSONS FROM AN
     ECUADORAN EDUCATIONAL INTERVENTION

  By James I. Grieshop, Ph.D.
University of California, Davis, California

Throughout the world in developing countries such as Ecuador, efforts to transfer technolo-
gies have not occurred without serious problems. This is true in the agricultural sector where
pesticides have rapidly come into widespread use in areas where traditional agriculture had been
practiced. However, the transfer of pesticide technology has not been accompanied by the
transfer of techniques for their safe, effective and appropriate use, thereby leading to human
health problems (poisoning) and environmental damage and serious and justifiable public
concern. In countries such as Ecuador, users of pesticides often are illiterate, and live in
isolated areas. These attributes present particular problems for designers of education and
communication programs. Folk beliefs in relation to pesticides and personal risk also work
against the effectiveness of communication programs. This poster demonstrated the potential
for the use of visual materials, including symbols and pictographs and more highly refined
materials such as photo-novels and posters, for communicating messages about safe and
appropriate use of pesticides. The materials to be highlighted are the products of intensive field
research, primarily in Ecuador, on users of agricultural chemicals. The poster session will
demonstrate the evolution of these materials from relatively simple symbols and pictographs to
much more complex photo-novels and posters and materials developed for use with both
Spanish-speaking and Quechua-speaking rural residents. The relationship of field research using
qualitative approaches and the development of these visual materials will also be a key feature
of this graphic information session. Lessons from these field-based experiments provide lessons
for the development of similar health education interventions in the United States with non-
English speaking and reading farm laborer audiences.

502

Papers and Proceedings


Poster Abstracts, May 2, 1991

  THE U. C. DAM AGRICULTURAL HEALTH AND SAFEN
CENTER: A MULTIDISCIPLINARY CENTER FOR RESEARCH AND
              OUTREACH   `-I,
           By Marc B. Schenker, M.D., M.P.H.

University of California, Davis, California

California is the leading agricultural state in the nation, with 16 percent of all U.S. crop
production, as measured by farm cash receipts. Farm production in California is 60 percent
greater than the second leading state. A review of agricultural production statistics documents
the enormous size and importance of California commodities. For example, California produces
39 percent of all U.S. vegetables and melons, 53 percent of all fruits, nuts and berries, and 24
percent of all nursery and greenhouse products. More than l,OOO,OOO workers are employed
annually in agriculture in California, and there are more than 20,000 disabling injuries.per year
in the state. The purpose of the new U.C. Davis Agricultural Health and Safety Center is to
create a multidisciplinary organization for communication and coordination of research,
education, and illness and injury prevention in the agricultural workplace. The Center will
address occupational and environmental health issues affecting farmers, ranchers, agricultural
employees, farm families, agricultural service employees and visitors and residents around
agricultural work sites. The Center includes multiple academic units within the University of
California, as well as participation by programs and state agencies from outside the University
and interactions from neighboring states. As one of two national centers funded by NIOSH, the
U.C. Davis Center will focus on agricultural health and safety issues most relevant to the
western states. The Center is organized into an administrative core and a research and an
outreach component. Participants from U.C. Davis, U.C. Berkeley, various state agencies and
agriculture organizations are actively involved in both the research and outreach components.
This mixture of the unique expertise of the participants, the diverse resources of the University
and the State of California, and the contacts and involvement of state agricultural organizations
provides an outstanding and unique environment for addressing the health and safety hazards in
agriculture.

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Making Connections

CALlFORNlA AGRICULTURAL HEALTH AND SAFEN
        PROMOTION SYSTEM

By William E. Steinke, Ph.D.
University of California, Davis, California

The California Agricultural Health and Safety Promotion System (CAHSPS) addresses the
need for training across the diversity of California agriculture (more than 250 commercial
commodities workforce through several actions). Many farm workers in California are Hispanic
and have a limited ability to communicate in English. Several other ethnic groups, i.e., Hmong,
Mexican Indian, Vietnamese, Filipino, American Indian, Japanese and Chinese, are also present
in the agriculture workforce in large numbers. The CAHSPS addresses the educational needs
regarding safety in six major program areas. First, a pilot program is being established to
develop training materials and training methodologies for growers, field supervisors, farm labor
contractors and others to use in providing regular and focused safety training for those exposed
to the hazards of agriculture. Second, a formal and rigorous evaluation of the effectiveness of
this type of training is being independently conducted. The third component features grants that
are being offered to ten community agencies for programs that use channels outside the work
place to distribute agricultural occupational safety and health information. The fourth aspect,
which includes data collection regarding causes of fatalities and cases of major trauma, is being
undertaken in collaboration with the State Department of Health Services. As the fifth aspect,
an evaluation of different levels of safety training as they currently are practiced on California
farms is being conducted, with the goal of identifying the key components crucial to a successful
program. The sixth component is development of coursework in the College of Agricultural and
Environmental Sciences regarding agricultural occupational safety and health and injury and
illness prevention programs. The results of this program will make working in California less
hazardous and enable growers to customize their safety programs and training to fit the needs of
their operations and employees.

504

Papers and Proceedings


Poster Abstracts, May 2, 1991

PROMOTING AGRICULTURAL SAFETY AND HEALTH IN
            COLORADO

     By Paul D. Ayers, Ph.D.
Colorado State University Fort Collins, Colorado

i

Agricultural production in Colorado is an extremely hazardous occupation. Many fatalities,
injuries and illnesses can be prevented through education. Colorado State University Coopera-
tive Extension has embarked upon such an educational program through a grant provided by the
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. This grant provides funding for several
safety projects including the following topics:

o An up-to-date resource library containing visual aids and literature has been established and
made available to all 58 county Cooperative Extension Offices. A monthly safety newsletter
sent to each Cooperative Extension Office has been implemented as well as news releases
submitted to Colorado's major agricultural publications. County Extension personnel are in a
good position to disseminate safety information to a variety of individuals through their
various production meetings.
o Tractor safety, particularly tractor roll-overs, is always a major concern. Older tractors
without roll-over protection (ROPS) are especially hazardous in a farm situation. Colorado
State is conducting a tractor survey to determine the number of tractors without ROPS.
Tractor survey forms were sent out to 1,000 farmers via the County Cooperative Extension
Offices to ascertain the safety equipment available on tractors currently being used.
Information from this survey will be used to determine areas needing more emphasis such as
seat belts and roll-over protective structures.

o Pesticide safety is another major concern for Colorado agriculturalworkers. Protection of the
applicator can be greatly increased through usage of gloves and respirators. These two simple
items can be easily implemented into the pesticide application operation. County Extension
Offices have been provided with a chemical safety kit which includes gloves, coveralls,
goggles, overshoes, respirators, etc. for demonstration purposes at meetings and field days.
Gloves are also provided at pesticide applicator meetings for each participant completing the
  course.

Each office has also been provided with a video tape on farm chemical safety. Disposal of
agricultural hazardous wastes (unusable pesticides and containers) is a continuous problem.
Steps are being taken to provide guidelines for disposal of such items on a local level for
agricultural workers. The intent of the Colorado State project is to educate Cooperative
Extension personnel about various safety programs so they, in turn, can educate their clientele.
In this manner, more agricultural workers can be reached on a statewide basis.

Surgeon General's Conference on Agricultural Safety and Health - 1991                505


Making Connections

INJURY RISK-TAKING BEHAVIOR OF FARM YOUTH

By Robert A. Aherin, Ph.D.
University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois

Various state farm accident studies have consistently found a high
incidence of farm-related injuries occurring to children under the age of 15. In an effort to gain
a better understanding of the types of behaviors being performed by children on farms, a study
was conducted to evaluate parental attitudes and behaviors regarding three farm machinery-
related behaviors. A sample of 377 randomly selected farm families, who had children 15 years
of age and younger, participated in the study. The three behaviors evaluated included: 1)
Riding on a tractor with a parent during the past 12 months; 2) Operating a tractor; and 3)
Allowing the child to be within 10 feet of rotating or revolving components on farm machinery.
Twenty-nine percent of the parents felt it was acceptable to allow children 3 years of age and
younger to ride on a tractor with them. Sixty-five percent agreed that children between the ages
of 4 to 6 years of age should be allowed to perform the behavior. Nearly 90 percent of the
parents allowed their 7-to g-year-old children to ride on tractors. More than 70 percent of all
the parents believe the risk of injury for performing this behavior was low. Twenty-nine percent
of the farm boys in the study were allowed to operate tractors. Sixty-seven percent of lo-to 12-
year-old boys and almost all of the 13-to B-year-old boys operated tractors. Girls operated
tractors significantly less than boys. Only 16 percent of parents thought their children between 7
to 9 years should be allowed to be within 10 feet of rotating farm machinery parts. However, 27
percent allowed their boys in this age group to perform the behavior. Of the 377 families who
completed the survey instrument, 16 or 4.2 percent reported an accident. The injuries from
these accidents resulted in 75 percent of the victims needing to seek medical attention while
approximately 12 percent were permanently disabled. As a result of these findings, an educa-
tional program has been developed to assist farm families with their understanding of the
behavioral and physical limitations of children to deal with injury risk associated with farm
equipment.

506

Papers and Proceedings


Poster Abstracts, May 2, 1991

REDUCING THE POTENTIAL FOR ENVIRONMENTAL
EXPOSURE AND HUMAN EXPOSURE TO PESTICIDES-
  A SELF-HELP WORKSHOP FOR PRODUCERS

  By Richard 0. Pope
Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
   George F. Czapar
University of Illinois, Springfield, Illinois

Public concern about groundwater contamination from agricultural practices remains high.
Recent midwest well water surveys have helped define the extent and frequency of water
contamination. In addition to pesticide mixing and handling practices, well construction, depth
and location are known to affect water quality. Farm*A*Syst is a prototype 12-part agricultural
farmstead assessment program, developed in 1990 by United States E.P.A. Region 5, and the
Extension Services of the Universities of Wisconsin and Minnesota. From this prototype, a
specific program was developed for use in Iowa County pesticide-certification training sessions.
The primary focus of this program is to raise producer awareness and outline recommended
pesticide management practices. This interactive worksheet enables each producer to examine
and improve his or her individual management practices. Results compiled from initial
workshop evaluations will be discussed. This producer feedback is being used to assist program
planning for inter-agency water protection efforts.

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Making Connectlons

A THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK FOR SAFETY BEHAVIOR
          INTERVENTIONS

By James Westaby, Graduate Assistant, Robeti Aherin, Ph.D.
      University of Illlnols, Urbana, Illinois

Occupational injuries and illnesses are a serious threat to farmers. Many farm injuries and
illnesses are the result of dangerous behavior. Reducing injury risk on the farm is a consider-
able task because many farmers are autonomous and self-motrvated. Many farm safety
programs have been implemented, but have not undergone systematic evaluation. It is unclear
whether these programs actually reduce injury risk. Also, many programs lack theoretical
rationale for their interventions. A theoretical approach to reduce injury risk by targeting
specific unsafe behaviors is proposed. Empirically supported theories, such as the Theory of
Reasoned Action, Theory of Interpersonal Behavior, and the Theory of Planned Behavior are
used in the proposed framework. The framework identifies factors that determine behavior.
For example, it has been shown that specific behaviors are determined by specific behavioral
intentions and/or habit processes. Behavioral intentions, in turn, are determined by the
attitudes people have toward the behaviors and their subjective norms (i.e., the pressure people
feel from significant others to perform the behavior). The framework, m sum, should help
pinpoint reasons why farm workers perform unsafe behaviors, target those behaviors with
specific safety interventions, and show which strategies prove effective. Effective strategies, in
turn, could be modelled in large-scale safety programs. More confidence could be placed in
such validated programs.

SAFE COUNTRY

   By James L. Williams
Country Companies, Bloomington, Illinois

Background: Prior to developing this educational program on farm
safety, research was conducted with 1,500 agricultural producers. Research indicated the need
for an educational program, including a video.

The final educational package consists of:

1. Leaders' Guide;
2. An B-minute video;

3. Modules on: Tractor and machinery safety, plus general farm safety and health; chemicals;
animals; ladders; and harvest safety
4. Student booklets; and

5. Promotional material, including news releases, posters and a promotional brochure.

Comments to date indicate its progress is well received. Approximately 3,000 pieces of
student materials have been shipped, indicating excellent usage of the program. It is in use in
four states by the Country Companies and other agriculture interested organizations.

508                                 Papers and Proceedings


Poster Abstracts, May 2, 1991

FARM SAFETY 4 "JUST KIDS"

   By Marilyn Adam
President Farm Safety 4 "JUST KIDS"

In the fall of 1986, Marilyn's 11-year old son, Keith, was killed in an accident on the family's
Iowa farm. One year after her son's death, realizing that not enough was being done about farm
safety, Adams began a campaign to promote education and awareness by distributing danger
decals for gravity wagons through local FFA chapters. Recognizing the consuming public
demand for farm safety information, she formed Farm Safety 4 "JUST KIDS" in October, 1987.
The response from people nationwide has been phenomenal. Mail and phone calls from across
the United States and Canada are received daily for farm safety information and merchandise
available from the office. Materials available for sale are videos, decals, T-shirts, and other
miscellaneous items. Farm Safety 4 "JUST KIDS" also compiles and distributes newsletters to
members quarterly. The increased demand for information has prompted the formation of a
Chapter Operations Department. This department is in the process of developing chapters
across the United States. "If we are indeed concerned about making our farms safer places to
work and live, we need to overcome the sort of conditioned apathy that exists today toward
farm-related health and safety issues. By developing chapters of Farm Safety 4 "JUST KIDS",
we are working to make further improvements in the communities. Education and building
public awareness are perhaps the two most important elements in addressing this problem".

ZOONOSES-HUMAN HEALTH HAZARDS
   ASSOCIATED WiTH ANiMALS

By George W. Bet-an, D. ViM., Ph.D.
Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa

This presentation will represent teaching, research and personal experiences of the author.
On one side, a chart identifying viral infections at greatest hazard of transmission tram animals
to people will be featured, accompanied by a photographic display on rabies. This will show the
wild animals which maintain the infection, the disease in wild animals, farm livestock and
companion animals. It will show preventive measures and an interactive section on myths and
facts about rabies. (If available, a slide system or video monitor could be used to display
additional, rare photographs of the disease in animals). On the reverse side of the display, a
chart will identify bacterial infections at greatest hazard of transmission from animals to people.
The illustrations will depict facets of Lyme disease, the way the disease is spread, the animals
which carry it, the human disease, and measures for prevention. The display addresses health
protection intervention in zoonoses, particularly from the viewpoint of the author as a consultant
in rabies to the World Health Organization.

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Making Connections

TEACHiNG GUIDES AND CLiENT EDUCATiON MATERIALS
  FOR CARDiOVASCULAR SCREENING PROGRAMS

By Constance J. Better@, M.S., RD., Lom'e J. GraaJ RN.
  Iowa Department of Public Health, Des Moines, Iowa

\

Iowa's Cardiovascular Risk Reduction Screening and Education Program Recommendations
advise that all screening programs provide client education. To assure that accurate, consistent
information was given to Iowans at screening sites, staff from the Bureau of Nutrition and
Health Promotion developed teaching guides for public health nurses and one-page fact sheets
for the general public. The teaching guides and fact sheets correspond with the three compo-
nents of the cardiovascular screening program: cholesterol screening, hypertension screening and
diabetes screening. The teaching guides were developed in a standard format consisting of
objectives, a suggested teaching outline, suggested background materials for the professional,
and suggested client education materials. Information from the National Heart, Lung and Blood
Institute and other public organizations was adapted to present a single concept per fact sheet
and to lower the reading level. A formative evaluation was conducted using pre-testing
methodology. The format may be useful for other states wanting teaching guidelines and client
education at screening sites.

OCCUPATiONAL HEALTH NURSES IN AGRiCULTURAL
COMMUNiTiES -A PUBLiC HEALTH NETWORK FOR iNJURY
              CONTROL

  By EZaine DeBoef; RN., M.S., and otherproject nurses
Division of Disease Prevention, Iowa Department of Public Health, Des Moines, Iowa

Agriculture is a major component of the Iowa economy. Much of the food and fiber upon
which America and the world depends is produced on Iowa farms. The Iowa farm lifestyle
embodies many qualities which underlie the strong foundation of our country. Partly influenced
by these factors, this population has been affected by occupational-related disease and injury at
rates which greatly exceed public health standards. The Occupational Health Nurses in
Agricultural Communities Project, funded by NIOSH, through the Division of Disease Preven-
tion, Iowa Department of Public Health will extend surveillance and target injury and disease
control interventions through collaborative efforts with local health and lay service groups. Early
efforts will be directed toward injury intervention development in regions and communities
which are identified as high frequency, high severity areas for agriculture-related acute injury,
using 1990 surveillance data from the Sentinel Project Researching Agricultural Injury Notifica-
tion Systems (SPRAINS) program based in Iowa.

510                                   Papers and Proceedings


Poster Abstracts, May 2, 1991

A STATE PUBLIC POLICY TO IMPROVE FARM HEALTH AND
SAFETYi. IOWA'S CENTER FOR AGRICULTURAL SAFETY AND
               HEALTH

By KeZ1q.v J. Donham, D. EM.
University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa

The 1990 Iowa Legislature passed a bill to form The Iowa Center for Agricultural Safety and
Health (I-CASH). This unique program mandates that the College of Medicine (The University
of Iowa), the land grant school (Iowa State University), the State Department of Health, and the
Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship work together to coordinate and focus
resources to decrease agricultural occupational deaths, injuries, and illnesses. The Center is
housed at The University of Iowa. The day-to-day operation is through the leadership of the
Director, with strong input from the Coordinating Committee, which is made up of represen-
tatives from each of the participating institutions. The Coordinating Committee receives policy
direction and has direct contact to the clientele through an l&person Advisory Committee. This
committee consists of active farmers, members of farm constituency groups (such as Farm
Bureau, Corn Growers and Iowa Pork Producers), rural physicians, rural hospitals, and
agribusinesses. This first-of-its-kind organization has put together a powerful, eclectic group of
farm health and safety experts and clientele groups to develop and carry out preventive
programs in a positive participatory manner. I-CASH has focused on five major areas to direct
the energy and resources of this group. These are: 1) developing a network of hospitals in the
state to provide comprehensive occupational health services for farm families; 2) prevention of
respiratory diseases in swine producers; 3) prevention of injuries in farm children; 4) prevention
of injuries involving tractors; and 5) surveillance of farm injuries. I-CASH has enjoyed excellent
cooperation among the members. A major initial function is to coordinate the various preven-
tive programs in the state that have emerged through the 1990 NIOSH initiative. I-CASH will
also provide additional general programs to meet the needs of the farm families and farm
workers of Iowa. I-CASH may serve as a model for other states as they develop public policies
on this issue.

Surgeon General's Conference on Agricultural Safety and Health - 1991

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Making Connections

IOWA AGRICULTURAL HEALTH AND SAFETY SERVICE
            PROGRAM

  By Jane Gay, B.S. N.
University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa

Farming is consistently ranked as one of the top three most hazardous occupations. An
estimated 200,000 farmers are disabled and an additional 2,000 die annually from work-related
causes. The farm family lives in and works at a worksite filled with many hazards. In other
industries, comprehensive occupational health and safety services have been dramatically
successful in reducing job-related injuries and illness. Effective systems to deliver this type of
service in agriculture have not been established. In 1987, The Institute of Agricultural Medicine
and Occupational Health of the University of Iowa College of Medicine initiated a pilot project
for families and agribusiness in the state of Iowa. The project has expanded into a state
network of agricultural occupational health and safety services based in community hospitals.
The Iowa Agricultural Health and Safety Services Project (IA-HASSP) provides a unique clinic
model and implementation plan, technical assistance and health professional training to
community hospitals that are establishing agricultural occupational health and safety clinics.
This model utilizes the community hospital as the primary integrator of existing community
health services and direct provider of new occupational health services. The clinic will coordi-
nate with regional primary-level hospitals and healthcare providers to deliver services at satellite
sites. The service for members includes: occupational health screening, intensive occupational
health and safety education, on-farm hygiene/safety analysis of identified or potential farm-
related health and safety hazards, and availability of personal protection equipment. The project
also provides service at the state level through telephone consultations for local-level healthcare
providers.

572

Papers and Proceedings


Poster Abstracts, May 2, 1991

CARBON MONOXIDE: VENTING PROBLEMS FROM HEATING
             APPLIANCES

By Thomas H. Greiner, Ph.D., Jim Cain
Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa

Excessive house depressurization can result in combustion appliance venting failure and
contamination of household air. Three Iowa homes previously indicating combustion venting
failure were instrumented and monitored to verify and further quantify venting failure and
associated air quality deterioration.

Significant findings of this study included:
o Thermocouple located in the appliance vent and at the dilution device gap can accurately
monitor venting performance.
o Carbon monoxide can reach dangerous concentrations under conditions of excessive spillage
and exhaust recirculation in low-volume rooms.
o Neither carbon monoxide nor carbon dioxide concentration gives an accurate indication of
flue gas spillage in large-volume mechanical rooms.
o Faulty vent design and/or maintenance can result in venting failure without the added ag-
gravation of house depressurization.

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Making Connections

RADON IN IOWA

By Thomas H. Greiner, Ph.D., Jim Cain
Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. The United States
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prediction is that radon in homes causes 21,600 annual
deaths, with an uncertainty range of 8,400 to 43,200 (USEPA 1989). The EPA began to test
homes for radon, but did not include Iowa because the state was judged to be the state "least"
likely to have a radon problem. Although Iowa was not identified by the EPA as a state with a
potential radon problem, survey data collected in 1984 by a local college professor, Conrad
Weiffenbach, found several high levels in eastern and central Iowa (Weiffenbach, 1987). To
help determine if there were a radon problem, Iowa State University, in February of 1987,
began selling radon detectors and collecting data on the radon results. This database now
includes information on 15,111 short-term tests, including 7,100 first-time screening tests. The
arithmetic average of these 7,100 first-time tests is 8.3 picocurries per liter (pCi/l), more than
twice the EPA action guideline of 4.0 pCi/l. Thirty percent of the screening tests gave low
results (4.0 pCi/l or less, 64 percent gave medium results (in the range of 4-20 pCi/l), and 6
percent were high readings (more than 20 pCi/l). Additional testing confirms that more than 70
percent of Iowa homes "fail" the EPA screening guidelines. Despite the risk associated with
radon exposure, less than 6 percent of Iowa residents have tested for radon, and only a few
hundred have taken measures to reduce the levels of radon in their homes. An Iowa State
University Extension Service Iowa Radon Project public awareness survey in 1990-1991 reveals
reasons for the disappointing response of the Iowa public. Nearly 90 percent have heard of
radon, but they do not feel knowledgeable about radon, with two out of three persons reporting
they feel inadequately informed.

514

Papers and Proceedings


Poster Abstracts, May 2, 1991

THE RURAL YOUTH DISABILIN PREVENTION PROJECT  (

By Cheryl Hawlc, M.S., Jane Gay, B.S.N., KeIley J. Donham, D.EM.
        University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa

The Rural Youth Disability Prevention Project is an intervention funded by the CDC in 1988
to provide a framework for the development of community-based, pediatric, agricultural injury
control programs. It has a three-stage structure, each requiring input from and feedback to the
farm community to ensure that program development addresses its needs. The first stage is
diagnosis of needs, with provisions for postintervention evaluation, utilizing two instruments: a
survey of local farm families to gather data on safety practices, risk factors and injuries, and the
Farm Family Walkabout guidebook, a family activity designed to identify hazards on individual
farms. In the current project year, the survey was administered to 400 and the Walkabout to
458 Iowa farm families. Results indicated injury-control issues to target:

1. Children in the workplace. Children accompany their parents operating farm machinery from

an average age of 7 and begin operating it themselves by 11.
2. Emergency preparedness. Only 25 percent of adults have had CPR/First Aid training. Fifty
percent have First Aid kits in their homes, and 14 percent have them in their tractors.

In the second stage, communication, these findings are sent as a newsletter to participants
and publicized in local media. Meetings ensue at which farm families and community groups
assess local needs. This leads to the third stage, facilitation of appropriate actions. The specific
issues currently targeted are being addressed on two levels, individual and community-based.
On the individual level, Future Farmers of America groups are working directly with par-
ticipants to implement simple, practical safety projects, such as preparing and selling tractor first
aid kits or distributing lists of emergency phone numbers. An example of community-level
action carried out was a CPR workshop requested by farm families after they received the
report of the Walkabout data and arranged by local health professionals. Post-testing to assess
behavior changes will be carried out in June of 1991. Evaluation of the efficacy of this commu-
nity-oriented program will be completed by the fall of 1991.

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Making Connections

TRACTOR STABlLlP/: HOW STEEP IS TOO STEEP?   \\

IQ Jill Hudrson, Charles Schwab, Ph.D.
Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa

Tractor-related fatalities in Iowa account for approximately 41 percent of the total fatalities
recorded during 1988 through 1990. During 1991, fifty-two percent of all tractor fatalities
recorded in Iowa during 1990 resulted from side overturns. These state figures coincide with
national statistics, making tractor overturns a major agent of death for agricultural workers.
What slope is to steep for safe operation of a tractor becomes an important issue. Static
stability of farm tractors in side overturns on sloped terrain can be determined from the Static
Lateral Critical Angle (SLCA). The SLCA was calculated for approximately 700 two-wheeldrive
models using the center of mass and geometry of the tractor. The SLCA was plotted with
respect to the horsepower capacity of the tractors. The influence of different attachments on
the SLCA was examined. The effect that a front-end loader carrying a hay bale at different
elevations had on the SLCA were determined. Changes of the SLCA with respect to horsepow-
er requirements were developed for the different attachments investigated. Understanding the
influence that attachments have on the SLCA provides background information required for a
proactive assessment of potential tractor side overturn hazards.

516

Papers and Proceedings


Poster Abstracts, May 2, 1991

PESTICIDE SAFETY FOR RURAL FARM YOUTH

By Nancy Jensen, Wendy Wintersteen
Pocahontas County Extension

Spraying weeds with herbicides while riding on a tractor-propelled platform or bean-bar is a
common summer job for many rural youths in the Midwest. However, bean-bar riders are
exposed to more than the sun; they are also exposed to the herbicide spray. A study conducted
by Success-l Farming magazine indicated that virtually all bean-bar riders are contaminated with
herbicide after 2 hours of spraying. Herbicide exposure can result in adverse health effects such
as eye and skin damage and the possibility of future health problems. The severity of these
effects depends on the type and concentration of the herbicide and the area and amount of
exposure. To educate rural youth about herbicide dangers, Iowa State University Cooperative
Extension staff conducted an extensive bean-bar education program in Calhoun and Pocahontas
counties. In cooperation with the local public health department, copies of an Extension
bulletin, Bean-Bar Facts and Safety Tips were distributed to 4,000 students in 14 school districts.
In addition, a slide set on bean-bar safety was developed and presented by Extension personnel
at several programs. Rural youths are taught that bean-bar spraying can be relatively safe when
certain precautions are taken. Wearing rubber gloves, shoes, jeans and a long-sleeved shirt were
emphasized as adequate protection for bean-bar riders in most cases. Goggles, rubber gloves,
and Tyvek disposable coveralls will offer the maximum protection. In case of an emergency,
youth were told to flush out irritated eyes or to rinse skin with large amounts of water. After
work, all bean-bar riders should shower with soap and water. Bean-bar riders were cautioned
against "horsing around" and inadvertently spraying themselves or others with herbicide. And
finally, youth learned to refuse to spray until all the equipment was safe to operate.

IOWA AGRICULTURAL INJURY SURVEILLANCE

   By Shirley K Jones, B.S.N., M.P.H.
Iowa Department of Public Health, Des Moines, Iowa

Acute agricultural injury is recognized by the National Safety Council as occurring at a rate of
nearly five times the rate for all industry. Iowa's Sentinel Project Researching Agricultural
Injury Notification Systems (SPRAINS) Project, funded by CDC/CEHIC, has established a
statewide surveillance system to study acute agriculture-related injury. The project now in its
second year uses reports from designated hospital sentinel reporters and from other volunteer
health care providers and seeks to identify the multiple factor relationships which occur in acute
injuries subsequent to agriculture activity. More than 2,100 acute injuries, including 83 deaths,
occurred and were reported in 1990. Information characterizing these injuries from the first
year of study will be presented in our display. Injury is increasingly being recognized as a high
priority public health problem. Continuing analysis of this data will enable the design of
activities that can be specifically targeted to decreasing the frequency and severity of these
injuries.

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AGRICULTURAL RESPIRATORY HAZARDS EDUCATION  I<

SERIES

    By BonnieJ. Kay, RN., B.S.N.
American Lung Association of Iowa. Des Moines, Iowa

The Agricultural Respiratory Hazards Education Series (ARHES) was produced in 1986 by the
American Lung Association of Iowa (ALAI) in response to a profound lack of comprehensive
material addressing the lung health risks associated with agriculture. The series was developed
in collaboration with the University of Iowa's Institute of Agricultural Medicine and Occupation-
al Health and Iowa State University Extension. It consists of an introduction and a nine unit set
for health professionals and a nine unit companion set for agricultural and community workers.
Each unit is designed to stand alone. Each addresses a different lung hazard commonly found
in agriculture. The series provides an excellent cornerstone for community education programs.
The materials have been used by extension services and lung associations across the country.
Rural hospitals have used the series for community programs, as have Farm Bureau Federa-
tions, 4-H, and FFA youth groups, health fairs, producer groups and farm safety organizations.
Programs for physicians, nurses, and respiratory therapists have been very successful and have
generated much interest. The ALAI has a slide/tape presentation which accompanies the series
and provides a good discussion tool. It has also developed a promotional kit for other organiza-
tions and lung associations to use. The kit includes press releases timed to seasonal tasks and
hazards, public service announcements, public service ads, sample program outlines, and
accompanying letters. A new tabletop display which addresses proper selection and use of
respirators is now available for groups to use. The nature of the education series allows each
user to tailor the program to the specific need. It can be provided at the community level,
directed by local healthcare providers or extension personnel, or used strictly by the individual.
Cost is minimal. An opportunity to display in the project showcase will permit others to see
how the ARHES can complement their programs. We would provide a display presentation.

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Papers and Proceedings


Poster Abstracts, May 2, 1991

INNOVATIONS AND PERCEPTIONS OF AGRICULTURAL
          SAFETY STUDENTS

  By C.J. Lehtola, M.S.
Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa

People involved in agriculture recognize agricultural safety as a present-day vital concern.
Farmers, agribusiness employees, and extension personnel expressed the desire and need to
learn more about farm safety. Many of these individuals are employed full-time and unable to
attend conventional campus classes. A class in agricultural safety was offered as an off-campus
program for these adult undergraduate and graduate-level students as a solution. The course
was conducted using 13 2-hour video segments and 2 all-day, on-campus sessions. A total of 68
students (ages 22-62) participated in the first class that was offered. Students were required to
identify hazards at their farm or workplace and develop a solution to eliminate hazards. Many
found it effective to conduct the hazard identification by video camera. Many innovative
solutions were developed and presented by the students. Farm safety issues included licensing
of tractor operators on public roadways, child endangerment, babysitting services, regulations,
disability awareness and the responsibility of manufacturers. Their awareness of safety was
increased, as well as the recognition of the complexities involved in farm safety. This course
proved applicable and valuable to the participants. Measurement of the accidents that were
prevented as a result of their involvement, innovation and increased awareness is impossible, but
the participants responded favorably to the class and many students plan to promote farm safety
in their communities.

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AGRICULTURAL CHEMICALS: ACUTE AND CHRONIC
           EXPOSURES

By Linda L. Leverenz, MS., C.H.E.S., Patricia Price, D. 0.
      University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) has recognized the need for
educating health professionals throughout the nation on the importance of properly diagnosing
and treating various environmental illnesses. To assist in meeting this need, ATSDR has
provided funding through the Iowa Department of Public Health to the University of Iowa for
the development of a 2-hour physician education program entitled, `iAgriculturul Chemicals:
Acute and Chronic Exposures". It has been estimated that this program has reached approxi-
mately 52 percent of the physicians in the state of Iowa. Agricultural chemicals are used in
every aspect of daily life. Pesticides control insects in agricultural settings, destructive moths
and beetles in forests, and garden and household pests. Other chemicals eliminate weeds, serve
as preservatives in wood products, and are used as fertilizers. The widespread use of these
chemicals often results in overexposures that may cause "flu-like" symptoms and are somewhat
difficult to diagnose. Major effects on human health may result in acute systemic poisoning;
skin, eye, and nose irritation; dermal sensitization; pulmonary damage; and, to a lesser extent,
chronic damage to the kidney, liver, and central nervous system. Objectives of this program are
to provide information that will assist physicians in: 1) identifying pesticides that are responsible
for acute and chronic health effects; 2) establishing clinical diagnostic and treatment protocols;
and 3) offering their patients methods for preventing pesticide poisonings.

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Poster Abstracts, May 2, 1991

PREVALENCE OF ANTIBODIES TO ENVIRONMENTAL FUNGI
     IN THE SERA OF SWINE CONFINEMENT

By Daniel M. Lewti, Ph.D., Toni A. Ble&oe, Amy Stasny, Lisa Nicklow
    Immunology Section, NIOSH, Morgantown, West Virginia
           Kelley Donham, D. KM.

Institute of Agricultural and Occupational Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa

As part of an epidemiological analysis of the respiratory hazards associated with working in
swine-confinement facilities, we obtained serum samples from 292 persons who either work in
swine-confinement facilities, farmers not engaged in swine production, or age-matched, non-farm
workers. Environmental analyses of swine confinement facilities revealed six species of fungi
were the predominant fungal isolates in these facilities. The sera were assayed for precipitating
antibodies (IgG) by counterimmuno-electrophoresis (CIEP) and reaginic antibodies (IgE) by a
radioallergosorbent test (RAST) to extracts of the fungal isolates. The fungal isolates were
Scopulari0p.G sp., Penicillium sp., Cladosporium sp., Mucor sp., Aspergillus ochraceous., and
AspergiZZus flavum. Only two of the serum samples contained precipitating antibodies and both
were reactive with the Mucor sp. isolate. In contrast, 46 of the 292 sera (15.7-) contained IgE
antibodies to one or more of the fungal isolates. These results will be presented and discussed
with respect to the exposure status of the workers, but the preliminary analysis indicates that
IgE antibodies may be a more sensitive marker of exposure to these microorganisms than
precipitating antibodies.

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HEALTH SURVEILLANCE ACTIVITIES OF A VETERINARY
       DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY

By Gary D. Osweiler, D.KM., M.S., Ph.D.
  Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa

Food and companion animals are often exposed more directly to environmental chemicals
than are humans, and may serve as sentinels of potential health effects in humans. Recently,
the National Academy of Sciences has recognized and reinforced this idea. Prompt investigation
of animal losses or illnesses may determine that a poisoning has occurred and allow preventive
measures before they become widespread in humans or the environment. In some circumstanc-
es, animals studied at questionable locations, such as hazardous waste sites or industrial
locations, may provide early clues well before human problems become apparent. Toxic effects
of chemicals may alter functions of cells, cause morphologic changes, or act on individual
cellular components important to the immune system. Veterinary diagnostic laboratories are an
important link in the assessment of potential human problems of toxicosis, immune dysfunction
and carcinogenesis by their ability to evaluate immune function in exposed animals, as well as
correlate the morphologic effects and concentration of chemicals that result from exposure to
pollutants in the environment of both animals and man. The Iowa State University Veterinary
Diagnostic Laboratory has evaluated numerous potential human problems by monitoring key
effects in animals at risk. Some of these problems include lead poisoning, organophosphate
toxicosis, dioxin hazards in wood preservatives, water quality, aflatoxicosis, and therapeutic
drugs. Details and significance of these activities relative to human health will be discussed.

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Poster Abstracts, May 2, 1991

IOWA FARM FAMILY HEALTH AND HAZARD SURVEILLANCE
             PROJECT

By William J. PopendorJ; Ph.D.
University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa

Agriculture is now recognized as the most hazardous workplace in America. Yet agriculture
lags behind general industry in the application of the traditional preventive phases of recogni-
tion, evaluation and control of health (and safety) hazards. The dilemma of agriculture as both
an industry and a way of life contributes not only to this lag but also influences the design and
approach of a successful health survey of an agricultural population. The aims and approach of
the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health [NIOSH] funded Iowa Farm Family
Health and Hazard Surveillance Project are:

1. To determine the retrospective distribution of farming practices, medical symptoms, and
traumatic injuries from a randomly selected cohort of farming families using a mailed survey
questionnaire to a population-based, random cohort on about 500 farms.
2. To record temporal exposure to environmental and biomechanical/ergonomic factors likely to
contribute to work-related illness or injuries by on-farm observations of a sub-cohort of these
farming families.

3. To measure the levels of exposure to a small number of selected low-frequency, high-hazard
agents or processes likely to contribute to work-related illness using traditional quantitative
industrial hygiene assessment techniques.

Data collected in this survey will provide the basis for future investigative agricultural health
and safety efforts in several directions. The health status data will comprise the first systematic,
representative view of the health of American farmers and farm families. Hazard data will
provide not only a statistical distribution of risk factors within this population, it will also contain
a basis upon which to estimate the time or frequency of being "at-risk," yielding new insight into
interpreting accident, injury and fatality data collected in these and other studies. Additionally,
these data will be used to develop specific recommendations for modifications of tools,
machinery, work methods and buildings which will reduce work-related injuries among this
segment of the population.

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IOWA STATE UNIVERSIp/: RESEARCH AND INFORMATION
         FOR SAFE77 AND HEALTH

  By August Ralston
Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa

Illustrated are the research undertaken and information and services provided by the
Cooperative Extension Service (CES) at Iowa State University in the area of agricultural safety
and health. The structure of the CES including 4-H, and how farm families and workers and
safety and health professionals can access information from the CES are explained. Re-
search/information topics covered are clothing contamination by chemicals, application of
chemicals, household use of pesticides, rollover protective structures, quality of water supply,
carbon monoxide spillage from heating equipment, air quality and respiratory illness, design of
confinement buildings, machinery design, and tractor stability.

AGRICULTURAL HEALTH PROMOTION SYSTEMS:
  OBJECTIVES AND PROGRAMS IN IOWA

  By August Ralston
Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa

Illustrated are the objectives and plan of action under the Agricultural Health Promotion
Systems (AHPS) cooperative agreement between NIOSH and Iowa State University. Efforts to
enhance the capability of professional extension staff as interveners for occupational safety and
health, to build a network among public health agencies, volunteer groups, and cooperative
extension, to cooperate with the Center for Agricultural Research, Education, and Disease and
Injury Prevention at the University of Iowa, and to improve the formal occupational safety and
health college curriculum are explained. Examples are provided of the likely impact of the
AHPS cooperative effort on educational programs and intervention techniques and networks
that are aimed at reducing the occupational hazards and exposures faced by farm families and
workers.

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Poster Abstracts, May 2, 1991

RURAL YOUTH DISABILITY PROJECT

   By Angie Reynolds, R D.H., B.S.
Iowa Department of Public Health, Des Moines, Iowa

Health and safety are major problems in agriculture. When a farm injury results in a child
affected by a disability, the rural community is impacted socially and economically. Farm
injuries and the resulting disabilities consequently become a major public health problem. The
Rural Youth Disability Prevention Project focuses on increasing community awareness and
ownership of the farm-child injury problem. This is a necessary focus for any effective and on-
going community-based prevention strategy. The project is owned, operated, and directed by the
community with technical assistance provided by the Office of Disability Prevention and the
University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics. These community prevention projects have been
implemented by the Disability Prevention Program. Each project is operated locally and focuses
on unique disability risk factors. The project sites are located in Marshaltown, Spencer, and
Harlan. These communities were selected due to their affiliation with the Iowa Agricultural
Health and Safety Service Project (IA-HASSP). The IA-HASSP project also serves to focus
community awareness, ownership, and cooperative efforts in reducing farm-related health and
safety hazards. The goal of this project is to demonstrate that disabilities of rural youth can be
reduced through concerted community-wide efforts. Three major activities conducted include:

o Community survey of existing safety knowledge, attitudes, behavior and near-miss injuries.
o Farm family hazard analysis ("Walkabouts").
o Community Involvement Injury Control Workshop.

Special emphasis is placed on the development of effective community prevention strategies
which involve organizing broad community rnfluence and support. To accomplish this, the
project will promote active collaboration between multiple disciplines, agencies, and businesses
in the projects.

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