Is working in greenhouses healthy? Evidence concerning the toxic risks that might affect greenhouse workers

Greenhouses are essentially microcosms aimed at providing physical environments suitable for the survival and growth of plants. Crops grown intensively in greenhouses in Great Britain include cut flowers, pot plants and edible crops such as tomato, lettuce, cucumber and celery. The enclosed conditions mean that greenhouse workers are more likely to be exposed to higher levels of plant material, plant pests and plant protection products than general horticulture workers. The potential for ill-health in greenhouse workers is examined with particular reference to Great Britain. The principal potential effects expected include irritancy, asthma, allergic aleveolitis and dermatitis. Although biological control agents are widely used, there were no reports of their having caused ill-health in greenhouse workers. About two people per year are found to have suffered ill-health as a consequence of greenhouse exposure to chemical pesticides in reported pesticides incidents in Great Britain.