RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Australian work exposures studies: occupational exposure to pesticides JF Occupational and Environmental Medicine JO Occup Environ Med FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd SP 46 OP 51 DO 10.1136/oemed-2016-103723 VO 74 IS 1 A1 Jasmine Jomichen A1 Sonia El-Zaemey A1 Jane S Heyworth A1 Renee N Carey A1 Ellie Darcey A1 Alison Reid A1 Deborah C Glass A1 Tim Driscoll A1 Susan Peters A1 Michael Abramson A1 Lin Fritschi YR 2017 UL http://oem.bmj.com/content/74/1/46.abstract AB Background Pesticides are widely used in some occupational settings. Some pesticides have been classified as carcinogens; however, data on the number of workers exposed to pesticides are not available in Australia. The main aim of this study was to estimate the current prevalence of pesticide exposure in Australian workplaces.Methods The analysis used data from the Australian Work Exposures Study, a series of nationwide telephone surveys which investigated work-related prevalence and exposure to carcinogens and asthmagens, including pesticides, among current Australian workers. Information about the respondents’ current job and various demographic factors was collected in a telephone interview using the web-based tool OccIDEAS. Workers were considered exposed to pesticides if they reported applying or mixing pesticides in their current job.Results Of the 10 371 respondents, 410 (4%) respondents were assessed as being exposed to pesticides in the workplace, with exposure being more likely among males, individuals born in Australia, individuals with lower education level and those residing in regional or remote areas. Glyphosate was the most common active ingredient used by workers.Conclusions This is the first study to describe the prevalence of occupational pesticide exposure in Australia and one of the few recent studies internationally.