Lessons learned in the Fogarty Thai ITREOH
Dr. Robson’s seminar focused on research opportunities and potential public health interventions surrounding the use of agricultural pesticides in Thailand as studied through the NIH FIC Thai ITREOH project. Dr. Robson explained the recent increase in the use of agricultural pesticides in Thailand and the associated potential health effects. Exposure assessment data and graduate student research projects were presented. Dr. Robson also spoke of the role of the village health center in developing village-based education and intervention strategies. To put the health risk from agricultural pesticide use in perspective, Dr. Robson also described other environmental hazards that may be present in rural Thailand; the most prominent of which is shallow (hand dug) wells that were contaminated with arsenic. Abatement strategies requiring mechanized well digging, piping, and pumps to carry the non-contaminated water were discussed. A brief question and answer session ended the very well-received seminar.
