Farmworkers and pesticides: community-based research

Abstract

In this paper we summarize the results of a workshop conducted to disseminate information about community-based research on the environmental health risks of exposure of farmworkers to pesticides. Community-based research is an approach that is advocated for addressing issues of environmental justice such as exposure of farmworkers to pesticides. This workshop brought together scientists, community organization members, and agency representatives to review and discuss the research methods and organizational relationships that have been successful in conducting past community research so these principles can be applied to new situations. The objectives of this workshop were to a) be a forum in which those conducting community-based research with farmworkers could share what they had learned; b) delineate the successes and barriers across different projects to further develop models and methods for conducting community-based research; and c) determine future directions and needs of farmworker community-based research for environmental justice.