Research landscape on occupational hazards and pesticide exposure among agricultural workers: A bibliometric analysis

Abstract

Occupational exposure to pesticides remains a significant public health concern for agricultural workers, with well-documented associations with both acute toxicity and long-term adverse health outcomes. The aim of this study was to systematically map and evaluate the global research landscape on occupational hazards and pesticide exposure among agricultural workers using a bibliometric approach. A bibliometric analysis was conducted using data retrieved from the Scopus database on August 4, 2025. A systematic search spanning 1963–2025 identified 7,173 records, of which 583 English-language journal articles met the inclusion criteria. Bibliometric mapping was performed using VOSviewer (version 1.6.20) to analyze publication trends, co-authorship networks, and keyword co-occurrence, supported by a controlled thesaurus to ensure term consistency. The findings demonstrate a sustained growth in research output over time, with publication activity peaking in 2021. The United States emerged as the leading contributor in terms of productivity and influence, followed by Brazil, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and India. Core research themes centered on pesticides, occupational exposure, agriculture, and agricultural workers. Although international collaboration networks were evident, contributions from several regions with high occupational risk remained limited. This study provides a comprehensive overview of global research trends, identifies established and emerging themes, and highlights critical knowledge gaps. These findings offer evidence-based insights to guide future research, strengthen international collaboration, and support policies aimed at improving occupational safety in agricultural settings.