This study has been credited throughout the world for providing data needed to improve our assessment of the human health risks for dioxin. From 1988 to 1992, this program identified 376 cases of occupational asthma and 231 cases of silicosis. These injuries caused Michigan farm workers to lose an estimated 816,778 workdays. Michigan State University has produced a series of work guides that are being provided to farmers, farm workers, and their families through the extension agents. Additional educational efforts include safety programming on rural radio stations, information to rural health care providers, and a toll-free hotline to provide immediate safety assistance.
Farmers appear to have an increased risk of brain cancer.
The program has graduated 222 occupational safety and health professionals in the past 5 years. The continuing education program trains approximately 1,900 practicing professionals annually. The total number of calls received on the 800-number increased more than tenfold between 1988 and 1993, with calls from Michigan increasing from 119 to 1,332.