Hay fever and asthma symptoms in conventional and organic farmers in The Netherlands

Aims: Farming has been associated with respiratory symptoms as well as protection against atopy. To date, effects of organic farming on respiratory health have not been studied. A survey was conducted to 1) compare hay fever and asthma-like symptoms in organic and conventional farmers; and 2) assess associations between current and childhood farm exposures and respiratory health effects. Methods: Questionnaire data of 1205 conventional and 593 organic farmers were evaluated. Associations between health effects and farm exposures were assessed by logistic regression. Results: Organic farmers re... Mehr ...