Pesticide poisoning is a global health problem to which tobacco farmers are at risk because of the need for frequent application of pesticide to this insect-prone crop. A cross-sectional, descriptive study of 103 tobacco workers from 50 family farm units in Kelantan, Malaysia, aimed to determine pesticides used, the factors influencing exposure of tobacco farmers to pesticides and the frequency of poisoning among tobacco farmers. Questionnaire, observation and focus group discussions were used to collect data.The organophosphate (OP) methamidophos, WHO Toxicity Class 1B Hazardous, was used on 96%of farms and was always applied using knapsack sprayers. Twenty-two of 48 knapsack sprayers observed in use were leaking. Training for farmers in pesticide use was minimal, storage and labelling of pesticide containers did not comply with WHO standards, and observed use of protective clothing was significantly less than that reported by farm workers. One-third of workers had two or more symptoms consistent with pesticide toxicity. It was concluded that an improvement in worker education was necessary.
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