Efectos de los plaguicidas en trabajadores de cultivos intensivos / Effects of pesticides on workers engaged in intensive cultivation

RESUMO

A study carried out in Argentina during the period 1983-1984 looked at the effects of pesticides on the health of two groups of workers engaged in intensive cultivation. Surveys and interviews were conducted in two communities one consisting of 154 flower growers, and the other of 188 ornamental-plant growers, and the other of 188 ornamental-plant growers. In both groups 70 percent of the subjects had been engaged in the activity for at least 10 years. Allowance was made for different levels of exposure to the pesticides depending on the different tasks performed by the workers. The surveys yielded sociodemographic information about the two populations, as well as data on the pesticides used over the last 20 years, work habits, protective measures employed, and any manifestations of acute or chronic poisoning suspected to be produced by exposure to these products. Data were also gathered on the occurrence of spontaneous abortions, premature births, and birth defects. It was found that 12.3 percent of the flower growers and 18.6 percent of the plant growers had symptoms of acute poisoning; however, in neither of the populations were the differences significant between the numbers of the pesticide applicators versus other workers with acute symptoms. On the other hand, the number of flower growers with manifestations of chronic poisoning was significantly greater for the pesticide applicators