Occupational exposure to pesticides and health symptoms among family farmers in Brazil
Rev. saúde pública (Online)
;
54: 133, 2020. tab, graf
Article
in English
| LILACS, BBO, SES-SP
| ID: biblio-1145055
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE:
To explore the association of occupational pesticide exposure with acute and mental health symptoms.METHODS:
Cross-sectional survey carried out with 78 Brazilian family farmers, who were pesticide applicators and helpers conveniently selected. Symptoms and exposure data were collected by interviews, and mental health outcomes by the Self-Reporting Questionnaire. Blood samples were analyzed to assess cholinesterase levels. Exposure indicators and symptoms were compared between applicators and helpers, and Poisson regression was performed to estimate prevalence ratios.RESULTS:
Farmers reported exposure to multiple pesticides from early ages; they worked without safety training, technical support, and full protective equipment, and they had a high prevalence of acute and mental health symptoms (e.g., headache, mucosal irritation, tachycardia, and depressive signs). Applicators had more cholinesterase changes than helpers, but less symptoms. Helpers used less personal protection and had significantly higher prevalence ratio of headache, dyspnea, wheezing, cough, poor digestion, tiredness, and feeling worthless, after adjustment.CONCLUSIONS:
Acute and mental health symptoms were observed, both among farmers and helpers. Thus, surveillance actions must be reinforced in Brazil, technical support and safety training improved, focused on applicators and helpers, who are occupationally and environmentally exposed to pesticides. Agricultural practices of these groups with less pesticide use should receive incentive.
Full text:
Available
Index:
LILACS (Americas)
Main subject:
Pesticides
/
Poisoning
/
Respiratory Tract Diseases
/
Tachycardia
/
Occupational Exposure
/
Depression
/
Farmers
/
Headache
Type of study:
Diagnostic study
/
Observational study
/
Prevalence study
/
Risk factors
Limits:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Child
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Country/Region as subject:
South America
/
Brazil
Language:
English
Journal:
Rev. saúde pública (Online)
Year:
2020
Type:
Article
Institution/Affiliation country:
Universidad Católica del Maule/CL
/
Universidad de Chile/CL
/
Universidade Federal da Bahia/BR
/
Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais/BR
/
Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro/BR
/
Universidade de São Paulo/BR
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