Next day, the foreman sent him out spraying again with the same defective backpack, because there was no other available. He sprayed another three hours and the pain worsened. His discontinued spraying because of nausea, burning sensation in the mouth, and abdominal pain. The local doctor told him to put toothpaste on the wound. On the fourth day he attended the occupational health service with a blistering lesion. The wound did not heal and he had to be hospitalized twice for a skin transplant. He was on sick leave for nine months. Back on the job he was sent out to spray again, but when he refused he was fired.

Rajammah, age 46, Malaysia

Rajammah sprayed paraquat on a palm oil plantation. On a rainy day she fell down because the land was slippery. The impact of the fall caused the nozzle of the pump to spray the pesticide directly into her eyes. She immediately felt an intense burning sensation on her face, lips and eyes. Unfortunately there was no water supply for her to wash her face.