감귤은 제주지역을 비롯하여 우리나라 남부지역 등에서 재배되고 있으나 재배면적은 제주지역이 전체 재배면적의 99%인 21,877 ha 재배되고 있다. 안정적인 생산을 위하여 병·해충방제 시간은 13.4%로 수확작업 다음으로 높은 비중을 차지하고 있다. 작물별 농약사용량(kg a.i./ha)은 감귤이 40.0 kg a.i./ha로 가장 많아 농약에 가장 많이 노출되어 있다. 감귤농가가 농약안전사용 기준을 준수하고, 얼마나 많은 증상을 경험하고 치료하고 있는지를 분석하였다. 대상 농가는 전체 감귤재배 농가의 0.8%인 232농가를 대상으로 설문조사를 하였다. 감귤재배 농업인의 농약 중독증상은 어지럼증, 구토, 메스꺼움, 두통, 발열, 피부알러지, 가려움증, 두드러기, 눈충혈, 호흡곤란, 피부반점 등 11가지 증상으로 한정하였고, 농약 중독예방을 위한 보호장비는 방제복, 모자, 장갑, 보호안경, 마스크 등으로 제한하여 조사하였다. 감귤재배 농가가 농약 살포시 착용하는 보호장비는 방제복+모자+장갑+마스크를 착용하는 경우가 62%로 가장 많았고, 방제복+모자+장갑+마스크+보호안경은 18%로 나타났으며, 모자+장갑+마스크와 방제복+모자+장갑을 착용하는 경우는 각각 4%로 나타났으며, 그 외 소수 응답으로 12%로 나타났다. 농약 살포 후 감귤농가가 경험한 다양한 농약 중독증상은 어지럼증+피부알러지+눈충혈 18%, 눈충혈 12%, 가려움증 10.3%, 두드러기 8.6%로 나타났다. 조사농가 232명 중 19.0%인 44명은 병원진료를 받았으며, 59명인 25.4%는 약국처방을 받았으나 55.6%인 129명은 진료를 받지 않다고 응답하였다. 특히 비진료 농가의 40.3%는 무증상으로 인하여 진료를 받지 않았지만 59.7%는 농약중독경험을 하였음에도 불구하고 병원진료나 약국처방을 받지 않았던 것으로 나타났다. 이러한 연구결과는 감귤농가의 농약중독을 예방하기 위한 기초적인 정보로 활용될 수 있을 것이다.
Tangerines cultivation takes place in the southern region of Korea, including the Jeju region, however, the cultivation area in the Jeju region is 21,877 ha, which is 99% of the total cultivation area. To support stable production, disease and pest control time accounts for 13.4%, the second highest proportion after harvest work. The amount of pesticide usage (kg a.i./ha) according to crop was highest for citrus at 40.0 kg a.i./ha, making it the crop with the greatest exposure to pesticides. An analysis was performed to determine the number of citrus farmers who are in compliance with the standards for safe use of pesticides as well as symptoms they may be experiencing and treating. A survey of 232 target farms was conducted, which represents 0.8% of citrus growing farms. Among citrus farmers, symptoms of pesticide poisoning were limited to 11 symptoms, including dizziness, vomiting, nausea, headache, fever, skin allergy, itching, hives, bloodshot eyes, difficulty breathing, and skin spots. Protective clothing was regarded as protective equipment for prevention of pesticide poisoning. The study was limited to hats, gloves, protective glasses, and masks. The protective equipment worn by citrus farmers when spraying pesticides was most often protective clothing + hat + gloves + mask at 62%, followed by protective clothing + hat + gloves + mask + protective glasses at 18%, and hat + gloves at 18%. Those wearing masks, protective clothing, hats, and gloves accounted for 4%, while the percentage of remaining minority responses was 12%. The various symbols of pesticide poisoning affecting citrus farmers after spraying pesticides included dizziness + skin allergy + bloodshot eyes in 18%, bloodshot eyes in 12%, itching in 10.3%, and hives in 8.6%. Of the 232 surveyed farmers, 19.0% (44 people) received treatment at a hospital, 59 (25.4%) received pharmacy prescriptions, however, 55.6% (129 people) responded that they did not receive medical treatment. In particular, 40.3% of non-medical farmers did not receive medical treatment due to asymptomatic symptoms, however, 59.7% of subjects did not receive hospital treatment or pharmacy prescriptions despite a diagnosis of pesticide poisoning. These research findings are expected to provide basic information to prevent pesticide poisoning in citrus farmers.