Endangered Farmers

October 24, 2006 "Pesticides, Poisoning and Self-Harm" 3:00-4:30 pm Chapel Hill, NC

Lorann Stallones, MPH, PhD Director, Colorado Injury Control Research Center, Professor, Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO

Studies have reported high rates of suicide among selected occupations, including farmers. Recently, exposure to pesticides was hypothesized to serve as a risk factor for suicidal behavior as well as the agent used in acts of self-harm.

Animal studies document the impact of organophosphate exposure on serotonin levels, providing evidence for the possible link between exposure to organophosphate pesticides and suicide in humans.

The program will be at the Tate Turner Kuralt Auditorium on the UNC campus, Chapel Hill. Sponsored by the UNC Injury Prevention Research Center.

Free and open to the public, registration is not required. 919-966-2251 or 843-3530.