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

Autores

  • Rafael Junqueira Buralli Universidade de São Paulo
  • Helena Ribeiro Universidade de São Paulo
  • Verónica Iglesias Universidad de Chile
  • María Teresa Muñoz-Quezada Universidad Católica del Maule
  • Renata Spolti Leão Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
  • Rejane Correa Marques Universidade Federal da Bahia
  • Milena Maria Cordeiro de Almeida Universidade Federal da Bahia
  • Jean Remy Davée Guimarães Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11606/s1518-8787.2020054002263

Palavras-chave:

Farmers, Pesticide Exposure, Mental Disorders, epidemiology, Occupational Health

Resumo

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.

Biografia do Autor

  • Rafael Junqueira Buralli, Universidade de São Paulo

    Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Saúde Pública. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Pública. São Paulo, SP, Brasil

  • Helena Ribeiro, Universidade de São Paulo

    Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Saúde Pública. Departamento de Saúde Ambiental. São Paulo, SP, Brasil

  • Verónica Iglesias, Universidad de Chile

    Universidad de Chile. Escuela de Salud Pública. Departamento de Epidemiología. Santiago, Chile

  • María Teresa Muñoz-Quezada, Universidad Católica del Maule

    Universidad Católica del Maule. Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud. Talca, Maule, Chile

  • Renata Spolti Leão, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais

    Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Centro de Tecnologia em Nanomateriais e Grafeno. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil

  • Rejane Correa Marques, Universidade Federal da Bahia

    Universidade Federal da Bahia. Instituto de Ciências da Saúde. Departamento de Fisioterapia. Salvador, BA, Brasil

  • Milena Maria Cordeiro de Almeida, Universidade Federal da Bahia

    Universidade Federal da Bahia. Instituto de Ciências da Saúde. Departamento de Fisioterapia. Salvador, BA, Brasil

  • Jean Remy Davée Guimarães, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro

    Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil

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Publicado

2020-12-12

Edição

Seção

Artigos Originais

Como Citar

Buralli, R. J., Ribeiro, H., Iglesias, V., Muñoz-Quezada, M. T., Leão, R. S., Marques, R. C., Almeida, M. M. C. de, & Guimarães, J. R. D. (2020). Occupational exposure to pesticides and health symptoms among family farmers in Brazil. Revista De Saúde Pública, 54, 133. https://doi.org/10.11606/s1518-8787.2020054002263