There seems to be a feeling on here that ag pilots go to work every morning saying goodbye to their family as if it could be the last time and if there lucky enough to survive that day the chemical will get them eventually.
I have been around ag pilots for the last 20 odd years and seen plenty come and go. The good old days using pawnies 500 litres or braves and the like carrying 900 litres max there where lots of planes and therefore lots of pilots. Now you're looking at 1400hp airtractors that carry 3000 litres so therefore a lot less planes and pilots, If you're not up to it or a cowboy you wont be employed. I have seen plenty that after spending all that money on training end up in that position.
It's not luck that keeps them alive flying so close to the ground it's training and skill and a bloody good solid aeroplane.
Sure there are a few accidents but that is the same as every job flying or not.
As others have stated all of the bad chemicals cant be put out by air now and the majority of spraying done is fertiliser or fungicide and the insecticides no more potent than what you spray in your kitchen for flys.