Occupational exposure to pesticides and health symptoms among family farmers in Brazil

Dados Bibliográficos

ID16780449
AutoresRafael Junqueira Buralli (0000-0001-7006-6177, Universidade de São Paulo), Helena Ribeiro (0000-0002-1321-7060, Universidade de São Paulo), Verónica Iglesias (0000-0002-1636-9203, Instituto de Salud Pública de Chile), María Teresa Muñoz-Quezada (0000-0002-8008-8625, Catholic University of the Maule), Renata Spolti Leão (0000-0002-7047-1209, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais), Rejane Corrêa Marques (0000-0001-6730-7769, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro), Milena Maria Cordeiro De Almeida (0000-0001-8065-4298, Universidade Federal da Bahia), Jean Remy Davée Guimarães (0000-0003-2584-0009, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro)
Ano2020
Volume54
Páginas133
Data de publicação2020-12-12
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoRevista de Saúde Pública (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0034-8910 • E-ISSN: 0034-8910
EditoraUniversidade de Sao Paulo, Agencia USP de Gestao da Informacao Academica (AGUIA) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.11606/s1518-8787.2020054002263
PMID33331527
OpenAlexW3113311139
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas9
Referências citadas5

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

Cross-sectional study · Disease · Environmental health · Feeling · Mental health · Occupational safety and health · Personal protective equipment · Poisson regression · Population · Psychiatry · Agriculture and Farm Safety · Carcinogens and Genotoxicity Assessment · Internal Medicine · Medicine · Pesticide Exposure and Toxicity · Psychology