Recent events have drawn attention
to the subject of birth defects, farmworkers and pesticide
exposure, most notably the 2005 births of three babies
with severe birth defects to farmworker women employed
by the same Florida company, Ag-Mart Inc.
Technical reports released by
state agencies in Florida and North Carolina explore the
possible associations between pesticides and birth defects
in the cases of these three workers. A small but growing
body of epidemiologic and toxicological literature informs
their evaluations and provides a larger context for understanding
the possible relationships between occupational pesticide
exposure and birth defects. While this scientific literature
may be too technical in nature for the lay reader, the
material is relevant to the general public as we seek to
understand and prevent harm from exposure to toxic substances
like pesticides in the workplace and the broader environment.
This annotated bibliography
provides an overview of the current evidence for associations
between pesticide exposure and birth defects in farmworkers.
It also contains useful information for lay readers, including
a glossary of technical terms, and a section on understanding
epidemiological studies.
