Exposure of rural workers to pesticides

Abstract

Brazil is one of the largest consumers of pesticides in the world, and its intensive use can cause human and environmental contamination. The objective was to investigate the exposure of rural workers to pesticides and to verify its influence on their health, also on their families. This is a quantitative, descriptive and field study performed with 80 farmers. The data collection occurred by applying a questionnaire. The data was submitted to descriptive statistical procedures and statistical association by the chi-square test. Glyphosate, Tamaron and Carbofuran were the predominant pesticides. Of those surveyed, 85% have PPE, which 91.18% use for formula preparation and 89.18% to spraying. In addition, 23.75% have already pesticide poisoning and 15% reported two or more symptoms of poisoning during spraying. It is added that 25% had or have depression, with an association between the occurrence of depression and cases of intoxication (p≤0.049). In addition, 16.25% stated that pesticide poisoning had already occurred with their families. In general, farmers are exposed to pesticides during their work activities, which can facilitate the development of diseases in the short or long term.