Pesticides poison onion farmers

Pesticides poison onion farmers

TEGAL, Central Java: At least 175 onion farmers here were found to have been poisoned by pesticides, a health official says.

Priyono, a member of a medical team, told The Jakarta Post last week that most of the poisoned farmers were exposed daily to pesticides while spraying their crops.

"The workers do not use masks," he said, adding that the problem needs more serious attention.

So far blood tests are only conducted once a year and workers are merely treated with vitamin B complex. (wah)