Respiratory problems are some of the most common forms of occupational health hazards in the farming and agricultural industry. SIU Medicine urges local farmers and their families to be aware of common respiratory hazards and follow best practices for reducing their risk of short- and long-term respiratory problems. Breathing hazards for farmers Daily farming operations expose farmers to a wide range of situations that may be hazardous to their respiratory health. This includes any task that involves the use of or leads to the production or airborne release of: Chemicals, including pesticides