Of 164 total dermatitis cases. farmworkers had 117just over 71 percent. Of 113 total cases of gastroenteritis. almost 78 percent88 casesinvolved farmworkers as compared to 25 cases among nonfarmworkers. Studies in other States. notably Utah and Colorado. showed similar patterns and rates of illness and disease among migrant and seasonal farmworkers as compared to other populations that had not been exposed to pesticides. Further. there is a wide range of communicable diseases that are transmitted among farmworkers. their spouses and children and others with whom they come in contact. Many physicians and other public health personnel who work with migrant and seasonal farmworkers believe. and have testified. that the lack of toilets and. in particular. handwashing facilities has led to significantly higher rates of disease among those farmworkers. Further. there is a higher rate of heatrelated illnesses that result from a failure to provide sufficient amounts of drinking water in the fields. I think it is interesting to note that EPA does have health and safety requirements for those people who mix. load. and spray the pesticides.