Pesticide use and cholinesterase inhibition in small-scale agricultural workers in southern Brazil

A controlled cross-sectional study of family growers of fruit and vegetables was conducted between October 2009 and October 2010 to characterize the use of pesticides, establish the socio-demographic profile, and analyze cholinesterase activity in small-scale agricultural workers in Southern Brazil. Data was collected for 173 workers and 179 controls. A structured questionnaire was applied collecting socio-demographic information and determining knowledge and work practices in relation to pesticide use. The benchmarks for total cholinesterase (ChEs) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) were obtained from the average enzymatic activity of the occupationally unexposed group (control). The mean age of the exposed population was 40.0 ± 11.2 years. The symptoms differed significantly (p<0.05) between the exposed and unexposed populations. Forty (23.1%) workers showed symptoms associated with exposure to pesticides. The average value of enzymatic activity in the occupationally unexposed group for ChEs was 6.3 μmol/mL/min among males and 5.6 μmol/mL/min among females while for BuChE was 2.4 μmol/mL/min among males and 2.0 μmol/mL/min among females. Eight (4.6%) workers had high inhibition (>30%) of ChEs activity, whereas no workers showed high inhibition (>50%) of BuChE. Potential factors involved include gender, education, pesticide orientation, exposure, and hygiene measures.

Realizou-se um estudo transversal controlado, com hortifruticultores, durante o período de outubro de 2009 a outubro de 2010, a fim de caracterizar o uso de praguicidas, estabelecer o perfil sócio demográfico e analisar a atividade das colinesterases em trabalhadores rurais do sul do Brasil. Os dados foram obtidos de 173 trabalhadores e 179 controles. Um formulário estruturado foi aplicado obtendo informações sócio demográficas, conhecimento e práticas de trabalho relacionadas com o uso de praguicidas. Os valores de referência para colinesterases totais (ChEs) e butirilcolinesterase (BuChE) foram obtidos a partir da média da atividade enzimática do grupo controle. A idade média da população exposta foi de 40,0±11,2 anos. Os sinais/sintomas foram significativamente diferentes (p<0,05) entre a população exposta e não exposta. Quarenta trabalhadores (23,1%) apresentaram sinais/sintomas relacionados com a exposição aos praguicidas. O valor médio do grupo controle foi de 6,3 μmol/mL/min para o gênero masculino e 5,6 μmol/mL/min para o gênero feminino na ChEs; 2,4 μmol/mL/min para o gênero masculino e 2,0 μmol/mL/min para o gênero feminino na BuChE. Do total de trabalhadores (n=173), 08 (4,6%) apresentaram inibição elevada (>30%) das atividades das ChEs, e para BuChE nenhum trabalhador apresentou alta inibição (>50%). Dentre os fatores que poderiam estar envolvidos destacam-se o gênero, escolaridade, orientação para trabalhar com praguicidas, exposição e medidas de higiene.

Características de uso de plaguicidas químicos y riesgos para la salud en agricultores de la sierra central del Perú / Characteristics of the use of chemical pesticides and health risks in farmers in the central highlands of Peru

Con el objetivo de conocer las características sobre el uso e impactos en la salud de los plaguicidas químicos deuso agrícola en las provincias de Chupaca y Concepción en los andes centrales del Perú, se desarrolló un estudio descriptivo transversal entre abril y junio del año 2005, por medio de un cuestionario aplicado a 435 agricultores. Asimismo, se exploró la ubicación de los centros de expendio y la frecuencia de ventas de productos, además, se evaluó los casos de intoxicación reportados en ambas provincias. Los agricultores no cuentan con ropa de proteccióny manipulan directamente los plaguicidas durante su preparación y aplicación; asimismo, muchas veces no toman medidas preventivas a pesar de conocer los riesgos relacionados. El comercio de los plaguicidas se ubica en los centros urbanos, cerca de restaurantes y tiendas de abarrotes, además, los plaguicidas más vendidos pertenecen alas categorías extremadamente y altamente peligrosos, tales como Tamaron® y Furadan®, esto representa un peligro para la salud de los agricultores. Los casos de intoxicación por estos productos en las provincias bajo estudio, se hanincrementado entre los años 2001 a 2004.

In order to get to know the characteristics of use and health impact of the chemical pesticides of agricultural use in the provinces of Chupaca and Concpecion in the Central Andean Region of Peru, a descriptive, cross-sectional study was done between April and June 2005, through a questionnaire performed in 435 farmers. The location of the outlet centers and the frequency of sales of the products was also explored, and the reported cases of toxicity in both provinces. The farmers donÆt have protective clothing and they manipulate directly the pesticides during their preparation and application; also many times they donÆt take preventive measures even knowing the associated risks. Pesticide commerce is located in the urban centers, nearby restaurants and grocery stores, moreover, the most sold pesticides belong to the categories of highly and extremely dangerous, such as Tamaron® and Furadan®, which represents a risk to the farmers` health. The cases of toxicity due to these products in the studied provinces have been increasing between 2001 and 2004.