Exposure of rural workers to pesticides

Exposure of farmers to pesticides

Abstract

The objective was to investigate the exposure of rural workers to pesticides and to verify the influence on their health, also on their families. This is a quantitative, descriptive and field study accomplished with 80 farmers. The data collection occurred by applying a questionnaire face to face. 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 poisoning by pesticides had already occurred with their families. In general, this research serves as a warning about the importance of care health in the use of pesticides, in order to contribute, mainly, to objectives 2 and 3 of the UN 2030 agenda.