About Pest Control Jobs & Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a viral disease spread through infected blood. Pesticide exposure is not a risk factor in its contraction or transmission. However, working in pest control, experiencing regular toxin exposure may place undue strain on the liver of an infected person.

Significance

• Hepatitis C reduces liver function. Since the liver's purpose is to combat toxins, this can be a problem for infected persons working in pest control. Pre-existing liver conditions, including hepatitis, may increase the toxic effects of chemical agents. This increases the worker's susceptibility to life-threatening conditions including cancer.

Expert Insight

• Egyptian researchers investigated Egypt's rising incidence of liver cancer. Egyptians have high rates of Hepatitis C; many Egyptians work in agriculture. Scientists discovered statistically significant increases in liver cancer among rural hepatitis patients, concluding: "exposures to...pesticides are additive risk factors to current hepatitis C virus ... infection."

Prevention/Solution

• Pest control workers with hepatitis should observe safety precautions most diligently. They might specialize in integrated pest management, using non-chemical pest control measures. Keeping abreast of new research, training and safety recommendations, they should also have regular health checks. Milk thistle capsules -- often used in Hepatitis treatment, strengthen the liver against toxin damage. Curcumin and dandelion may also help. Green tea has anti-tumor properties and has been found to protect against pesticide exposure in mice.