Occupational Hazards Among Mosquito Control Operators And Other Pesticide Handlers

Abstract

The rise of mosquito-borne diseases is a serious public health concern. Mosquito control employees work within municipal/county health departments, public works, private companies, and other agencies. These outdoor workers encounter various occupational health and safety hazards, including exposure to arthropods (e.g., stinging or biting insects, pathogen vectors), pesticides, physical demands of carrying/lifting heavy equipment, heat stress, and solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Mosquito control employees may take part in employer-provided training sessions and workshops focused on pesticide safety, appropriate application, and exposure reduction. Nevertheless, additional training may be required to reduce workplace health and safety risks. We conducted a survey of members of the North Carolina Mosquito and Vector Control Association (NCMVCA) and the Virginia Mosquito Control Association (VMCA) (N=60 respondents, 28.2% response rate). The survey showed that mosquito control involves professionals from various agencies, including but not limited to environmental health and vector control. Backpack sprayers (average weight=18.6 kg) were utilized by 41.7% of respondents. Individuals who reported using a backpack sprayer were significantly (p=0.015) related to those experiencing a slip, trip, or fall at work. Most respondents (76.7%) participated in health and safety training organized by their employer. Training and personal protective equipment (PPE) can mitigate the risks from occupational safety hazards. Mosquito control employees protect public health from mosquito-borne diseases by reducing mosquito populations. Here, results indicate that these outdoor workers encounter various potential hazards, such as heavy/loud equipment, pesticide exposure, heat stress, and irregular terrain. Personnel utilize several forms of PPE, yet safety issues may still occur. Routine and effective training can help prevent occupational exposures and reduce worker risks. This work also explores pesticide-related occupational injuries and fatalities among outdoor workers in the United States from 2009 to 2023, derived from 36 incidents documented by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Among these incidents, 14 were fatal, 17 necessitated hospitalizations, and 5 resulted in non-hospitalized injuries, with pest control workers comprising one-third of the cases, and others included other pesticide handlers (e.g. farm/agriculture workers), and those exposed to drifted pesticides. The majority of victims were male (80.6%), with prevalent causes of incidents comprised of chemical exposure, heat stress, and equipment-related incidents. These findings underscore the ongoing hazards in pesticide-related professions and the pressing necessity for enhanced worker safety protocols and laws.