Abstract
The working and living environments of farmworkers put them and their families at risk for pesticide exposure and, consequently,
immediate and long-term health effects. In this study, visual materials for a pesticide toxicology safety and health curriculum
were constructed by engaging farmworkers in various stages of symbol development. Twenty-seven farmworkers in two states participated
in this descriptive case study through focused small group discussions and interviews. Our findings support the importance
of vivid and realistic symbols, the effectiveness of a traffic-light symbol in communicating technical information to farmworkers,
and the need to engage low-literacy end-users in the production of educational materials. This work informs the development
of curricula for other vulnerable populations pertaining to a variety of health-related topics, as well as discussions surrounding
regulatory proposals to revise the United States Worker Protection Standard.
immediate and long-term health effects. In this study, visual materials for a pesticide toxicology safety and health curriculum
were constructed by engaging farmworkers in various stages of symbol development. Twenty-seven farmworkers in two states participated
in this descriptive case study through focused small group discussions and interviews. Our findings support the importance
of vivid and realistic symbols, the effectiveness of a traffic-light symbol in communicating technical information to farmworkers,
and the need to engage low-literacy end-users in the production of educational materials. This work informs the development
of curricula for other vulnerable populations pertaining to a variety of health-related topics, as well as discussions surrounding
regulatory proposals to revise the United States Worker Protection Standard.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-7
- DOI 10.1007/s10903-012-9685-4
- Authors
- Catherine E. LePrevost, Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, North Carolina State University, Campus Box 7633, Raleigh, NC 27695-7633, USA
- Julia F. Storm, Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, North Carolina State University, Campus Box 7633, Raleigh, NC 27695-7633, USA
- Margaret R. Blanchard, Department of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
- Cesar R. Asuaje, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, West Palm Beach, FL, USA
- W. Gregory Cope, Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, North Carolina State University, Campus Box 7633, Raleigh, NC 27695-7633, USA
- Journal Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
- Online ISSN 1557-1920
- Print ISSN 1557-1912