Occupational pesticide intoxications among farmers in Bolivia: a cross-sectional study (original) (raw)
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Pesticide exposure among Bolivian farmers: associations between worker protection and exposure biomarkers, 2019
The use of pesticides has increased during the past decades, also increasing the risk of exposure to toxic pesticides that can cause detrimental health effects in the future. This is of special concern among farmers in low-to-middle-income countries that may lack proper training in the safe use of these chemicals. To assess the situation in Bolivia a cross-sectional study in three agricultural communities was performed (n = 297). Handling, use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and pesticide exposure were assessed by a questionnaire and measurements of urinary pesticide metabolites (UPMs). Results showed that methamidophos (65%) and paraquat (52%) were the most commonly used pesticides and that 75% of the farmers combined several pesticides while spraying. Notably, only 17% of the farmers used recommended PPEs while 84% reported to have experienced symptoms of acute pesticide poisoning after spraying. UPM measurements indicated high levels of exposure to chlorpyrifos, pyrethroids and 2,4D and that men generally were more highly exposed compared to women. Our study demonstrates that farmers who are better at following recommendations for pesticide handling and use of PPE had a significantly lower risk of having high UPM levels of most measured pesticides. Our results thus confirm the need of proper training of farmers in low-to-middle-income countries in proper protection and pesticide handling in order to reduce exposure levels and health problems.
The use of pesticides and the signs of poisoning in farmers of southern Brazil
MOJ ecology & environmental sciences, 2023
Since 2008, Brazil has been leading the world ranking of the largest consumer of pesticides in the world. This increasing the risk of poisoning and environmental contamination. This paper's objective is to analyze the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and the manifestation of signs and symptoms of acute and chronic intoxication in agricultural workers in southern Brazil. This is a field research carried out through semi-structured interviews with 142 family farmers who produce garlic and grapes. The results show that only 17.60% of farmers use all eight recommended PPE. Most participants (90.84%) claim to wear boots, gloves (75.35%) and pants (73.94%). Regarding acute symptoms, 31.69% reported headaches after the pesticide application, 28.16% eye irritation, and 23.94% weakness/fatigue/tiredness. Of the total, 38.02% reported depression, and 35.91% had systemic arterial hypertension. The data set indicates that farmers are exposed to risks due to exposure to pesticides and the inappropriate use of PPE. It is noticed that a high number of workers presented acute symptoms after the use of pesticides. Therefore, it is necessary to raise awareness among farmers about the risks of human and environmental exposure to these products.
Occupational exposure to pesticides and health symptoms among family farmers in Brazil
Revista de Saúde Pública
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 prote...
Intoxication and risks derived from exposure to pesticides in farmers
Revista Kasmera, 2015
The aim of the investigation consists on describing the toxic impact of pesticides, as well as analyzing farmers' awareness and knowledge about their uses and risks by conducting a discourse analysis and community intervention in Metztitlán Hidalgo, Mexico. A qualitative intervention study was conducted with a phenomenological-ethno methodological pragmatic design through the analysis of the discourse of 4 people, where three of them had been intoxicated by pesticides, as well as one vendor of these products. In three phases, a contextual tour was performed. Photographs of the agricultural context were taken, especially when the pesticides were being applied; depth interviews were applied, and finally categories were structured in order to conduct the analysis of people speech. Exclusive irrigated crops were observed. Utilizing water from River, the applicators mix the pesticides in a plastic barrel and then application tanks are filled. Their hands are even used to verify the filling. They do not have equipment to provide them with the minimal protection for the managing and application of the pesticides. The empty containers thrown on the ground indicate the type of pesticides used by farmers. The people intoxicated have required hospitalization and they made reference to some deaths due to the exposition to these products. The farmers-applicators of pesticides are not aware of the risks to which they are exposed to. This is correlated with the low level of pupillage that farmers mentioned to have, as well as with the lack of accessibility to buy equipment for personal security.
Intoxication and risks derived from exposure to pesticides in farmers Metztitlan Hidalgo, Mexico
Revista Kasmera
Abstract: The aim of the investigation consists on describing the toxic impact of pesticides, as well as analyzing farmers’ awareness and knowledge about their uses and risks by conducting a discourse analysis and community intervention in Metztitlán Hidalgo, Mexico. A qualitative intervention study was conducted with a phenomenological-ethno methodological pragmatic design through the analysis of the discourse of 4 people, where three of them had been intoxicated by pesticides, as well as one vendor of these products. In three phases, a contextual tour was performed. Photographs of the agricultural context were taken, especially when the pesticides were being applied; depth interviews were applied, and finally categories were structured in order to conduct the analysis of people speech. Exclusive irrigated crops were observed. Utilizing water from River, the applicators mix the pesticides in a plastic barrel and then application tanks are filled. Their hands are even used to verify...
Pesticides and farmers’ health: an analysis of variables related to management and property
Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências
The objective is to verify the effects of pesticides on the health of farmers in the southern region of Brazil, as well as the possible symptoms and cases of intoxication. This study has a quantitative, descriptive and exploratory approach, carried out in 12 agricultural locations in the municipality of Serra Catarinense. This research was approved by the research ethics committee and was applied through a structured questionnaire to 79 farmers who grow grains in the conventional cultivation system. The pesticide most used by farmers was glyphosate, followed by acephate. Of the individuals, 21.5% reported that they had suffered poisoning by pesticides by the respiratory route (58.8%). In addition, 28% had three symptoms of intoxication, demonstrating possible probable cases of intoxication. And 41% of workers reported headaches as a predominant symptom in applications with the use of pesticides, followed by dizziness/vertigo (16%). Farmers who use PPE during the preparation of the pesticide spray are neither chronic diseases (p<0.003) nor psychological problems (p<0.000). All four individuals who had cancer, all also eat while applying pesticides (p<0.049). The exposure to pesticides causes changes in the organism of those exposed, using them more vulnerable to health problems.
Biomonitoring of rural workers exposed to cholinesterase inhibitor insecticides in Brazil
Toxicology Letters, 2010
In this study, the knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding pesticide use and the levels of exposure of farmers and residents to organophosphorous and/or carbamates pesticides were evaluated in two rural settings in Brazil. A questionnaire was completed by 112 farm workers aged 18 years. Almost all farmers acknowledged that pesticides were potentially harmful to their health (87.5%); however, over half rarely (48.2%) or never (7.2%) used personal protective devices (PPDs). An association was found (p = 0.001) between the work regimen and the use of PPDs, with more frequent equipment use among hired laborers than those involved in family agriculture. A significant correlation (p = 0.027) was found between the reporting of adverse symptoms and the use of backpack sprayers. Mean AChE activities of farmers (n = 64) and residents (n = 18) during the exposure and non-exposure periods were significantly lower than their control groups. Mean BChE activities of farmers and residents were significantly lower than their controls during the exposure period. Among the 60 farmers that had blood samples collected in both the exposure and non-exposure (baseline) periods, 10 (16.7%) had AChE depletion of over 30% during the exposure period compared with the baseline level. Six residents living on the same farms also presented this depletion. AChE was over 30% higher than the baseline level for 19 farmers (31.7%), indicating a reboot effect. Special education programs are needed in these regions to promote the safe use of pesticides in the field to decrease the OPEN ACCESS Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2012, 9 3052 risks from exposure to pesticides for farmers, and from secondary exposure to these compounds for their families.
Occupational Pesticides Intoxication among Agricultural Workers
The Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine, 2020
Background: Pesticide intoxication is a public health problem in many developing countries. Approximately 18.2 per 100 000 agricultural workers worldwide have occupational-related pesticide acute and chronic toxicity symptoms. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the toxic symptoms in pesticide-exposed agricultural workers. Patients and Method: A cross sectional study was conducted on 390 agricultural workers using an interview questionnaire that consists of socio-demographic and exposure data, safety practices and self-reported toxicity symptoms. Physical examination and investigations were done. Results: Among the self-reported toxicity symptoms, cough was the most common acute symptom (59%) while skin problems were the most reported chronic symptoms (11.5%). There was a statistically significant difference regarding age between those with & without blurring of vision [(median, 50 and 39 years respectively) P < .001], muscle spasm [(median, 49 and 40 years respectively) P < .001] and skin problems [(median, 48 & 41 years respectively) P < 0.007]. Regarding duration of exposure, there was a statistical significant difference between those with & without blurring of vision [(median, 10 and 50 years respectively) P < .001], muscle spasm [(median, 10 and 6 years respectively) P < .001] and skin problems [(median, 12 and 6 years respectively) P < .001]. There was statistical significant negative correlation between serum cholinesterase level and age, duration of pesticides exposure and body mass index. Conclusions: The most self-reported pesticides toxicity symptom was cough (59%) while walking problems were the least reported one (5.9%). Age and duration of pesticides exposure are significant risk factors for pesticides toxicity.
Scientific Reports, 2022
The Central Andes of Peru are a region of great concern regarding pesticide risk to the health of local communities. Therefore, we conducted an observational study to assess the level of pesticide contamination among Andean people. Analytical chemistry methods were used to measure the concentrations of 170 pesticide-related compounds in hair samples from 50 adult Andean subjects living in rural and urban areas. As part of the study, a questionnaire was administered to the subjects to collect information regarding factors that increase the risk of pesticide exposure. Our results indicate that Andean people are strongly exposed to agrochemicals, being contaminated with a wide array of pesticide-related compounds at high concentration levels. Multivariate analyses and geostatistical modeling identified sociodemographic factors associated with rurality and food origin that increase pesticide exposure risk. The present study represents the first comprehensive investigation of pesticide-related compounds detected in body samples collected from people living in the Central Andes of Peru. Our findings pinpoint an alarming environmental situation that threatens human health in the region and provide a rationale for improving public policies to protect local communities. The term "pesticide" refers to any chemical substance used to ward off animals or plants that are deemed harmful or undesirable. In agriculture, pesticides are used on crops at different stages to keep pest invasions at bay: herbicides are applied before seeding, fungicides during the growth stage of plants, and insecticides at the end of the growing season. Agrochemicals have made a significant contribution to feeding the world, enhancing food production and availability 1. However, pesticides are also ubiquitous pollutants, causing adverse effects on the environment and human health 2. A major public health concern, pesticides have been linked to disorders such as endocrine disruption and cancer 3,4 , as well as impaired neurological development in children exposed during the prenatal period and infancy 5. People can be exposed to pesticides by dermal contact, inhalation, or ingestion of contaminated food and water 6. Pesticide poisoning depends essentially on the duration, frequency, and concentration of exposure 7. In this regard, agricultural workers are the most at risk of occupational exposure to pesticides due to their application and harvesting practices 6. Peru's agricultural sector is a major contributor to the South American food supply chain and a key component of its economy. A historical cradle of plant domestication 8,9 , the Central Andes of Peru represent an important producer of food crops and native varieties, encompassing two agroecosystems: the highlands and the