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Risk for heart attack, stroke goes up with pesticide exposure

On Behalf of | Oct 15, 2019 | Workers' Compensation |

Kentucky residents should know that there is a link between pesticide exposure and certain medical conditions. From 1965 to 1999, the Kuakini Honolulu Heart Program observed the incidence of heart attack and stroke among nearly 8,000 Japanese-American men on the island of Oahu. A new study has taken the data from this and combined it with OSHA data on the level of pesticides that the men were exposed to in order to determine a connection.

Men who were exposed to high pesticide levels were 45% more likely to suffer heart attack or stroke with the first 10 years of pesticide exposure being the riskiest. After that, the effects of the pesticides tapered off. After 34 years, researchers could not find any connection between pesticide exposure and the risk for heart attack and stroke, but this may be because aging became a more prominent factor.

Researchers believe that the results of the study reinforce the need for workers to wear the right personal protective equipment. However, they admit that the results may not apply equally to women as some pesticides may affect only men or only women. Hormones also make a difference. Lastly, researchers expressed doubt about the results applying equally to different races.

Under workers’ compensation law, anyone injured on the job can be eligible for benefits. These benefits cover wage replacement, all medical bills and even short- or long-term disability leave. Though victims don’t need to prove anyone’s negligence to be eligible, they may have to clear themselves of wrongdoing if their employer fights the claim. This is where having a lawyer might be of benefit. A lawyer may explain the process of requesting a settlement, too. Many settlements are paid out in a lump sum.

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