Respiratory Disease in Migrant Farmworkers

J Occup Environ Med. 2021 Aug 1;63(8):708-712. doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000002234.

Abstract

Introduction: Respiratory problems are prevalent among persons who work in agriculture, however, publications examining the respiratory status in LatinX farmworkers are limited. The purpose of this study is to assess the respiratory status of LatinX farmworkers across New York State.

Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of data gathered from Spanish language OSHA respiratory questionnaires completed between January 2017 and March 2019. The best of three peak flows were compared with predicted normal values derived from regressions using age, gender, and height.

Results: Key information was present in 162 Spanish questionnaires. Rates of reported respiratory symptoms were low, less than 2%; 11.7% farmworkers smoked. Best of three peak flows showed a mean of 97.2 ± 16.8% of predicted.

Discussion: New York LatinX farmworkers do not appear to have abnormal rates of respiratory symptoms or low peak flows.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Agriculture
  • Farmers*
  • Hispanic or Latino
  • Humans
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Transients and Migrants*