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Pesticide Poisoning in Brazil
Abstract
Pesticide poisoning has become a major public health problem in some developing countries, mainly due to the accidental or intentional ingestion and the unsafe use of pesticide products during occupational activities. By January 2016, 457 active ingredients, including insect pheromones and biopesticides (about 60), formulated in 1798 products were registered in Brazil; the country has been ranking among the top three pesticide markets worldwide in the last 10 years. However, Brazil still lacks a sound and unified pesticide poisoning data and the available data are known to be highly underestimated. According to the National Poisoning Information System (SINITOX), pesticide is the third highest cause of exogenous poisoning in Brazil, accounting for about 7–11% of the reported cases annually from 2000 to 2012. Self-poisoning and accidental poisoning were the main circumstances involved in the reported cases, and there was no correlation between poisoning incidence and pesticide use in the Brazilian regions. From 2000 to 2012, the Brazilian Mortality Information System (SIM) reported 10,666 fatalities after pesticide poisoning in the country, mainly after self-poisoning. The organophosphate insecticides are the main pesticides involved in the poisoning cases in rural Brazil. Poisoning in urban sets are mostly due to accidental or self-poisoning with the rodenticide chumbinho, an illegal product freely sold in Brazilian cities, prepared from registered pesticide products, mostly organophosphates and carbamates.
... Brazil is the World's fourth producer of grain and a leading exporter of beef. 1 The country is also one of the largest pesticide users in the world. 2 As a consequence, a combination of factors such as frequent use, minimal surveillance by government institutions coupled with lack of education and training regarding safe handling of pesticides makes exposure and poisoning by these compounds a major public health problem in the country, as well as in other underdeveloped nations. [3][4][5] Recent research estimates that 385 million pesticides cases of unintentional poisoning occur globally each year and more than 13% of suicides committed each year involve intentional selfpoisoning by these compounds. 6,7 Resources available to support clinical diagnosis and treatment of intoxicated patients are often scarce in economically developing nations, 3,8 which means that clinical decisions and treatment offered may be dictated by a patient's symptoms rather than an in-depth knowledge of toxicological conditions. ...
... [3][4][5] Recent research estimates that 385 million pesticides cases of unintentional poisoning occur globally each year and more than 13% of suicides committed each year involve intentional selfpoisoning by these compounds. 6,7 Resources available to support clinical diagnosis and treatment of intoxicated patients are often scarce in economically developing nations, 3,8 which means that clinical decisions and treatment offered may be dictated by a patient's symptoms rather than an in-depth knowledge of toxicological conditions. In addition, despite well described best practices on pesticide poisoning management 9 and currently available literature describing the hazard or lack of benefit associated with some procedures employed for the care of poisoned patients, 10-16 the treatment and management of patients still vary widely across a given country according to clinicians' knowledge, training, and experience of toxicological conditions. ...
This work aimed to identify variables associated with increased risk of outcome severity as well as to describe clinical manifestations/symptoms and management of pesticide-related cases reported to a poison center in Brazil. An increased risk of more severe outcomes was observed when exposures occurred in rural areas, involved suicide attempts and moderately to extremely hazardous pesticides. Clinical manifestations with higher frequencies included vomiting, nausea, sialorrhea, headache, miosis and sweating. From the treatment initially applied to the patient, 51.91% encompassed gastric lavage, but this procedure was only recommended in 20.01% of cases by the CIATox. Identifying risk factors associated with poor outcome, describing clinical manifestations, and contrasting initial treatment measures adopted against those recommended by the Poison Center can help determine diagnosis, prognosis and ensure appropriate clinical interventions are used in cases of pesticide poisoning.
... Our findings are consistent with what has been reported in other studies in Brazil and in other countries. [17][18][19][20][21][22][23] The high frequency in children at preschool age is quite alarming, given this age group should be intensively supervised by a responsible caregiver. ...
... Previous studies have shown that most occupational intoxications due to agrochemicals occur during agricultural activities. 29,47 These data are in agreement with other epidemiological studies 19,34 and occupational exposure is often associated with lack of self-protective clothing and equipment as well as lack of knowledge of the toxicological power of the compounds frequently handled by the workers. We also observed higher frequencies of accidental/suicide attempts in urban areas. ...
Pesticide poisoning is a significant public health problem responsible for an estimated three million poisoning cases per year and more than 250,000 deaths, most of which occur in underdeveloped countries. We evaluated pesticide exposure cases reported to a toxicological service center in Brazil, between 2012 and 2016. There were 3211 cases of pesticide exposure, with a high prevalence in adults aged 20–39 years (41.2%). Attempted suicide was the leading cause of pesticide cases (48%). Occupational exposure to pesticides of agricultural use was more frequently observed among men. Accidental exposure and attempted suicide were more frequently observed in urban areas while occupational exposure was more prevalent in rural areas. A higher exposure rate was observed among men in counties with higher agricultural activities. Establishing prevalence and cause of pesticide exposure is important to provide subsidy for evidence-based interventions in the field.
... The non-usage of PPE during pesticide handling was also pointed out in other studies (Pasiani et al., 2012;García-García et al., 2016;Ali et al., 2018;Godoy et al., 2019;Bernieri et al., 2019). Farmworkers reported that PPE is poorly tolerated because of high cost and discomfort when used in warm weather, similar to other studies conducted in tropical areas (Recena et al., 2006;García-García et al., 2016;Caldas, 2016). The importance of using PPE was confirmed in this study, showing increased DNA damage for those who reportedly did not use them. ...
... APP has been demonstrated in occupational and environmental exposures (Farias et al., 2009;Pasiani et al., 2012;Godoy et al., 2019;Hendges et al., 2019). In Brazil, according to the National System of Toxic-Pharmacological Information (SINITOX), 3820 cases of poisoning due to occupational exposure to pesticides were registered in 2014 (Queiroz et al., 2019;Nascimento et al., 2020) an underestimated number due to both underdiagnosing and underreporting (Caldas, 2016;Queiroz et al., 2019;Nascimento et al., 2020). In Brazil, the Decree n°. ...
We evaluated farmworkers exposed to pesticides and individuals with no history of occupational exposure to pesticides. It was performed the comet assay to evaluate DNA damage. The immunophenotyping of TCD4+ lymphocyte subpopulations in peripheral blood was performed by flow cytometry. The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in PON1, XRCC1, IL6, IL6R, TNF-α, and MIR137 genes were evaluated by real-time PCR. The exposed group was composed mostly by males (69.44%), with direct exposure to pesticides (56%) and with an average age range of 46 ± 13.89 years, being that 58.3% of farmworkers directly exposed to pesticides and reported the full use of personal protective equipment (PPE). DNA damage was greater in the exposed group (p < 0.05), reinforced by the use of PPE to denote a lower degree of DNA damage (p = 0.002). In this context, in the exposed group, we demonstrated that the use of PPE, age, gender and intoxication events were the variables that most contributed to increase DNA damage (p < 0.0001). Besides, the exposed group showed a significant increase in the subpopulations of T lymphocytes CD3⁺ CD4+ (p = 0.04) and CD3⁺ CD4⁺ CD25⁺ (p < 0.0001). SNPs in the TNF-α (rs361525) gene presented a difference in the genotype distribution between the groups (p = 0.002). The genotype distribution of TNF-α (rs361525) was also positively correlated with the DNA damage of the exposed group (r = 0.19; p = 0.01), demonstrating a higher risk of DNA damage in the farmworkers presenting the A mutated allele. Our findings demonstrate that pesticides can exert various deleterious effects on human health by damaging the DNA as well as by influencing the immune system in the case of both direct or indirect exposure and these issues are associated to age, gender, intoxication and the nonuse of PPE.
... The Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region accounts for 14% of global agricultural production and 23% of the world's exports of agricultural and fisheries commodities. 1 The rapid increase of farming in the region in the last decades has been coupled with an extensive use of pesticides (defined as chemical compounds that may either kill, obstruct, or manage the growth of any organism that damages a crop) 2,3 and a lack of pesticide use regulations or implementation thereof. [4][5][6] It is estimated that pesticide use in LAC countries accounts for 20% of worldwide consumption 3 and that more pesticides are used in Central and South America on a per capita basis (1.84 and 1:78 kg of pesticide per person per year, respectively 3,7 ) than in other regions in the world. ...
... The Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region accounts for 14% of global agricultural production and 23% of the world's exports of agricultural and fisheries commodities. 1 The rapid increase of farming in the region in the last decades has been coupled with an extensive use of pesticides (defined as chemical compounds that may either kill, obstruct, or manage the growth of any organism that damages a crop) 2,3 and a lack of pesticide use regulations or implementation thereof. [4][5][6] It is estimated that pesticide use in LAC countries accounts for 20% of worldwide consumption 3 and that more pesticides are used in Central and South America on a per capita basis (1.84 and 1:78 kg of pesticide per person per year, respectively 3,7 ) than in other regions in the world. ...
Background:
Multiple epidemiological studies have shown that exposure to pesticides is associated with adverse health outcomes. However, the literature on pesticide-related health effects in the Latin American and the Caribbean (LAC) region, an area of intensive agricultural and residential pesticide use, is sparse. We conducted a scoping review to describe the current state of research on the health effects of pesticide exposure in LAC populations with the goal of identifying knowledge gaps and research capacity building needs.
Methods:
We searched PubMed and SciELO for epidemiological studies on pesticide exposure and human health in LAC populations published between January 2007 and December 2021. We identified 233 publications from 16 countries that met our inclusion criteria and grouped them by health outcome (genotoxicity, neurobehavioral outcomes, placental outcomes and teratogenicity, cancer, thyroid function, reproductive outcomes, birth outcomes and child growth, and others).
Results:
Most published studies were conducted in Brazil (37%, n=88) and Mexico (20%, n=46), were cross-sectional in design (72%, n=167), and focused on farmworkers (45%, n=105) or children (21%, n=48). The most frequently studied health effects included genotoxicity (24%, n=62) and neurobehavioral outcomes (21%, n=54), and organophosphate (OP) pesticides were the most frequently examined (26%, n=81). Forty-seven percent (n=112) of the studies relied only on indirect pesticide exposure assessment methods. Exposure to OP pesticides, carbamates, or to multiple pesticide classes was consistently associated with markers of genotoxicity and adverse neurobehavioral outcomes, particularly among children and farmworkers.
Discussion:
Our scoping review provides some evidence that exposure to pesticides may adversely impact the health of LAC populations, but methodological limitations and inconsistencies undermine the strength of the conclusions. It is critical to increase capacity building, integrate research initiatives, and conduct more rigorous epidemiological studies in the region to address these limitations, better inform public health surveillance systems, and maximize the impact of research on public policies. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP9934.
... Además, en el sector de la construcción labora un elevado número personas a nivel nacional, y en el predomina un mayor porcentaje de trabajadores de sexo masculino que femenino. Una solución a la problemática de este sector consiste en que se valore la salud de los trabajadores, se destinen recursos para prevención, se realicen diagnósticos oportunos y que el sistema de riesgos laborales asuma las responsabilidades que le corresponden, sin olvidar la implementación de normas o protocolos rigurosos que garanticen la salud de quienes se desempeñan en actividades altamente peligrosas y muy poco controladas como en el caso de este o de lugares donde se trabaja con arena y/o polvo al aire libre, en los que es difícil controlar el nivel de contaminación y, por ende, se presentan muchas más enfermedades o accidentes laborales (1,25,47). (15). Se encontraron diferentes enfermedades relacionadas con este sistema, algunas leves, como las carrasperas, rinitis, alergias, entre otras que no tienen importantes efectos negativos en la salud de los trabajadores, pero otras si son mucho más graves, como el asma, EPOC, neumonía, entre otras que requieren tratamiento médico y que suelen comenzar como molestias leves del sistema respiratorio y, al no ser tenidas en cuenta, van fueron evolucionando por la constante exposición a estos contaminantes sin normas de bioseguridad (11,18,21,31). ...
Introducción:
A nivel laboral se presentan muchas afecciones en la salud de los trabajadores debido a riesgos químicos a los que están expuestos diariamente; a esto se suma la falta de compromiso de los empleadores con la salud de sus subordinados, ya que estos manejan diariamente sustancias químicas nocivas sin la debida protección personal.
Objetivo:
Identificar los efectos nocivos para la salud respiratoria de los trabajadores expuestos en su área laboral a sustancias químicas.
Metodología:
Se realizó una revisión sistemática de la literatura, se consideraron artículos de investigación realizados a partir de 2014 hasta 2020. Las palabras claves fueron "trabajadores" OR "laboral" AND "contaminantes" OR "agentes" AND "enfermedad reconocida", y se revisaron artículos de bases de datos como Google académico, SciELO (Scientific Electronic Library Online), ProQuest, Redalyc y Biblioteca Digital Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia.
Conclusión:
La salud de los trabajadores, sin importar en qué área laboral se desempeñen, se ve afectada en varios aspectos, los cuales pueden variar; entre ellos se encuentran los sistemas respiratorios, el sistema reproductor, el sistema nervioso, el sistema tegumentario y el sistema gastrointestinal de forma crónica o aguda. Entre los agentes más comunes causantes de las enfermedades respiratorias se reportan los pesticidas, el plomo y solventes.
... In the United States, the tendency to increase pesticide consumption is maintained, the most used compound being glyphosate [26]. In Brazil, pesticide consumption increased by more than 200% from 2000 to 2013 [27]. ...
The identification of organophosphate (OP) compounds dates back to the 1800s. OPare largely used pesticides in the agricultural field and households but prior use as a chemical weapon was considered during wars. Their toxicity on humans has been previously studied and addresses both acute intoxication and low-level chronic exposure. Symptoms of acute exposure describe a cholinergic syndrome with bradycardia, miosis, confusion, fasciculations, tearing, sialorrhea, diarrhea, bronchorrhea, and bronchospasm. The intermediate syndrome causes paralysis of the gait muscles, neck flexors, and respiratory failure. Moreover, unrestricted access to OP has increased the rate of suicide, accounting for around 30% of cases, increasing concern about OP availability. Western countries have drastically restricted access to OP by imposing regulations regarding handling these hazardous substances, but efforts have to be made to globally reduce this struggle
... No entanto, mesmo o uso de agrotóxicos levando um aumento significativo na produção agrícola, os mesmos geram também consideráveis efeitos negativos ao meio ambiente bem como a saúde humana. Além de que, a aplicação da lesgislação e regulamentação relacionada ao registro e comercialização aparenta certa flexibilidade, já que a aquisição de tais produtos químicos pode ser realizada sem a apresentação de receita (CALDAS, 2016). ...
... Brazil stands out in the export of agricultural products, having relevance in world agriculture. The use of pesticides increased as a result of the need to eliminate plant pests, as they harmed food and affected its commercialization (Caldas, 2016;Gaboardi et al. 2019). ...
Brazil has worldwide relevance in agriculture, as well as being one of the largest consumers of pesticides. This reality associated with underreporting of poisonings, food sample data above the permitted limit of current legislation, possible pesticide flexibilities and increasing smuggling of these products. This study aimed to evaluate the marketing situation in the various regions of Brazil, as well as to relate to the reality of poisoning notifications. It was evaluated in the literature, in the notification systems data platform, statistical tables and commercialization of these products from 2013 to 2017. The reality found was the annual gradual growth in most regions, being the Midwest region with the highest index in 2017 with an average of 180 thousand tons of assets. Among the most commercialized we have the 3 main ones: Glyphosate and its 2,4-D and Mancozebe salts, being classified by Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) as dangerous (class III). Regarding poisoning, there are discrepant results among notification systems, with Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN) having better information with 37 cases in Brazil, while in National Toxic-Pharmacological Information System (SINITOX) in 2017 there is no notification data. A reality with scarce data regarding food poisoning.
... Thus, concentrations detected in feathers of this study could be probably due to historical accumulation in the studied areas. Moreover, levels of some OCPs reported in the environment and in wild birds in other studies suggest an illegal use of these compounds in some countries (Gómara et al. 2008;Ali et al. 2014;Abbasi et al. 2016), and a potential illegal use in Brazil cannot be discarded (Caldas et al. 1999;Brito et al. 2005;Caldas 2016). ...
In this study, we determined the presence of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in back feathers from three raptor species, Phalcoboenus chimango, Milvago chimachima and Caracara plancus. Samples were obtained from live animals and ten OCPs were detected: α-HCH, β-HCH and γ-HCH (lindane), heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, aldrin, endosulfan I, endosulfan II, endosulfan sulfate and p,p′-DDE. The concentrations found were higher than those reported in other raptor species, and C. plancus showed greater values than P. chimango and M. chimachima for all the substances. These differences may be justified by the species feeding habits and the characteristics of the sampling area, since C. plancus were sampled in an area with a higher concentration of agricultural crops and urbanized environments. In relation to the possible negative effects, four individuals of C. plancus presented DDE values related to sublethal effects for other species. This is the first study reporting OCPs in back feathers of these species in Brazil, and further studies evaluating OCP exposure and related effects are important for a better understanding of the consequences of different OCP concentrations on the health of these species.
... A pesar de que el suicidio es la forma de intoxicación que más casos genera, las intoxicaciones por plaguicidas generalmente se asocian con actividades laborales y esto podría deberse a que anualmente se reporta una gran cantidad de casos generalmente asociados a las actividades agricolas 32 . Aunque la exposición ocupacional a plaguicidas en su mayoría se relaciona con las actividades agrícolas, también puede darse en otros lugares dedicados a la elaboración, almacenamiento, traslado y comercialización 10 . ...
Introduction. The extended distribution of pesticide facilitates the increase of pesticide poisoning in the developing countries. A rate of 35 × 100 000 people was reported in El Salvador. Objective. To describe the epidemiological situation of acute pesticide poisonings, registered in the public health system of El Salvador between 2012 and 2015. Methods. A cross sectional study that includes 5988 persons. The variables were evaluated through absolute value and percentage. The incidence rate per 100 000 habitants, was calculated. Spatial analysis was made through choropleth maps. Results. The annual mean of intoxicated was 1497. The most affected people have a mean of age of 31 years old (SD 17.2) mainly men (68.6 %) from the rural area (74.7 %). Almost half of intoxicated was a suicide attempt (48 %) and 26.9 % was occupational intoxication. Most of 40 pesticides was identified as causative of intoxication. The 10.5 % of intoxicated died. The incidence rate was 94.6 × 100 000 people. In the 97 % of the municipalities was registered pesticide intoxication with a rate of 137.1 × 100 000 people. Conclusion. The people of all ages were affected by the pesticide poisoning, mainly the young men from the rural areas, who use the pesticide for suicidal attempt and most of them died.
... Application of pesticides using backpack sprayer in a familiar system in the Central-West Region of Brazil(Caldas 2016) ...
Over 3 million tons of pesticide active ingredients were used worldwide in 2016, about 60% in China. Pesticides are primarily used in agriculture, but also to control disease insect vectors, domestic pests, and home gardening, among other uses. The general population is exposed to pesticides mainly through the consumption of treated food. Dietary intake assessment can be performed for specific population groups, such as toddlers, teenagers, and seniors, considering chronic and/or acute exposure, and may be combined with residential and water exposure. Most dietary exposure assessments conducted worldwide indicate low health risks to consumers. The main exposure route of pesticides for the occupational population is through skin contact, which occurs mainly from spilling pesticides and drift while mixing or applying pesticides. Epidemiological studies have shown association between pesticide exposure and various diseases, mainly cancer, although there is a lack of consensus among scientists on the link between pesticide exposure and cancer. The environment can also be affected by pesticide use, as the products may move off-site via spray drift, leaching, and runoff and affect non-target aquatic and terrestrial organisms. Pesticides with high water solubility and mobility have the potential to reach groundwater, and those with low mobility have a tendency to remain in soil/sediments, but they can reach water systems through superficial runoff. Exposure of the biota to pesticides at sublethal levels during the embryonic period may interfere with the development and survival of embryos and hatchling, with a potential impact on population survival, biodiversity, and ecological equilibrium.
... Intoxicações com agrotóxicos são um problema significativo de saúde pública, principalmente em países em desenvolvimento e emergentes (6)(7) . Desde 2008, o Brasil está entre os três maiores usuários de agrotóxicos no mundo, com mais de 500 mil toneladas de produtos comercializados no País em 2014 (8) . ...
Objective:
to describe case of occupational exposure to chemical products.
Method:
descriptive retrospective study using record data of 382 workers assisted in the Outpatient Care for Occupational Toxicology of the Reference Center of Workers' Health of the Federal District, between 2009 and 2013.
Results:
From the total, 66.7% were men, 55.2% had up to 9 years of activity and 81% did not use personal protective equipment (PPE). Nearly 60% were farmers and environmental surveillance agents, exposed to pesticides (63%), of which 40% were organophosphorus insecticides. The majority (68%) presented butyrylcholinesterase activity decreased, mostly farmers (85.9%); 57.3% of workers were considered poisoned - 61.6% by pesticides and 37.9% by industrial chemicals -, and away from work for at least 10 days.
Conclusion:
The profile was male workers, from 30 to 39 years, which not used PPE, indicating the need for prevention together with them to prevent poisonings.
... In recent years, fires at the type locality have caused the local extinction of species such as Wunderlichia azulensis Maguire & Barroso in Barroso & Maguire (1973: 402), considered an Endangered (EN) species (MMA 2014). Moreover, since Griffinia species depend on ants to disperse, they become more vulnerable to the consequences of pesticides, often used indiscriminately throughout Brazil (Dasgupta et al. 2001, Waichman et al. 2007Albuquerque et al. 2016, Caldas 2016. ...
The Atlantic Forest, known for its high biodiversity and endemism levels, now reduced to about 7% of its original area (Myers et al. 2000, Oliveira-Filho & Fontes 2000, Ribeiro et al. 2009), is the main center of diversity for Griffinia Ker Gawler (1820: t. 444). The genus is represented by about sixteen species (Preuss 1999, Campos-Rocha 2015, Campos-Rocha et al. 2017), the majority considered threatened with extinction (MMA 2014). Griffinia is morphologically characterized by having usually pseudopetiolate leaves with reticulate venation, bluish or sometimes white zygomorphic flowers with a hypanthium of variable length, and whitish globose seeds lacking phytomelanin in the testa and with an elaiosome. Currently, it is divided into two subgenera, Griffinia, and Hyline (Herbert 1840: t. 3779) Ravenna (1969: 63), with several ecological and morphological differences (Preuss 1999, Campos-Rocha 2015), though they may not constitute monophyletic groups (Meerow et al. 2000). Subgenus Griffinia, with about fourteen small to large-sized species, are generally understory plants of the Atlantic Forest, with pseudopetiolate leaves and bluish or occasionally white flowers. Subgenus Hyline has two recognized species of the understory of Cerrado and Caatinga primarily, with fragrant and ephemeral large white flowers, rarely pink (Preuss 1999, Campos-Rocha 2015). Griffinia, together with the monotypic genus Worsleya Traub (1944: 89), constitute a strongly supported clade (Meerow et al. 2000), tribe Griffinieae Ravenna (1974: 65), the only Amaryllidaceae tribe endemic to Brazil.
The fields of agronomy and pesticides have assumed significant roles in contemporary society. Pesticides can have adverse effects on human health, both in the short and long term. We have conducted a comprehensive analysis of the various categories of pesticides, providing a thorough examination of their modes of operation, prevalence, and global utilization. A critical review of reported research has been conducted to investigate the carcinogenic effects of agricultural pesticide use on human health. The widespread utilization of malathion and parathion for pest management indicates that individual occupational choices significantly impact their exposure to these chemicals. Pesticides can cause neurological abnormalities, reproductive problems, respiratory irritations, ecological disturbance, and the emergence of pest resistance, among other sublethal consequences beyond their carcinogenicity (breast cancer, lymphomas, multiple myeloma, bladder cancer, and leukemia). Ultimately, there is an anticipation for a forthcoming surge in endeavors to mitigate the utilization of hazardous pesticides and the consequent peril they pose to human well-being and the ecosystem.
O agronegócio se apresenta em pleno desenvolvimento no Brasil, ocupando posição de destaque na produção e exportação de produtos agrícolas, como implicação o país ocupa, há mais de uma década, o primeiro lugar em consumo de agrotóxico. O modelo de agricultura praticado de forma predatória tem impactos adversos sobre o meio ambiente e na saúde humana, ocasionando contaminação do solo e da água, perda da biodiversidade, intoxicações e mortes. Desse modo, o objetivo deste artigo é discutir as principais questões da expansão do agronegócio no Brasil e os seus impactos socioambientais. Por outro lado, a agroecologia se apresenta como possibilidade de mudança de paradigma desse modelo de produção agrícola praticado. Essa breve revisão oferece considerações que contextualizam a necessidade de integração do crescimento econômico com a promoção do desenvolvimento social e ambiental, no tocante ao agronegócio brasileiro, sendo dever do Estado efetivar ações que conciliem essas dimensões.
In 1994, the World Health Organization defined environmental health as the discipline that refers to all aspects of human health, including quality of life, that are determined by the physical, chemical, biological, social, psychological and aesthetic factors of our environment. Environmental stressors are from natural or manmade origin and can be found in air, water, soil dust, food and other manufactured products, among other media. The environment may also offer conditions that are beneficial to health and well-being; exposure can occur at home, at work, while commuting or in mother’s womb and may cumulate over time, with often delayed health effects. While personal behaviours may influence exposure to some stressors, the general rule is that one has little control on the quality of one’s environment. Geographic, economic, social and political factors are the main determinants of population exposure. A consequence is that important differences in risks and benefits in relation with the environment exist across places and groups. This chapter reviews how public health, at local, national or world levels, is largely impacted by environmental factors and how public policies may alleviate, or aggravate, the health consequences of the current world economy pattern that deeply alters the environment.
Organophosphate (OP) pesticides are responsible for numerous human deaths every year. Nucleophilic substitution is an important method to mitigate the toxicity of obsolete stocks of OPs. Herein, the degradation of O,O-diethyl-2,4-dinitrophenyl phosphate (DEDNPP) and pesticide diethyl-4-nitrophenyl phosphate (Paraoxon) promoted by 1,2,4-triazole (TAZ) was investigated by means of kinetic studies, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses, and theoretical calculations. Results showed fast degradation of OPs is promoted by the anionic form of the nucleophile (TAZ(-)) in pH > 8.5 (optimal at pH = 11). Rate enhancements of 106 and 105-fold in relation to neutral hydrolysis of DEDNPP and Paraoxon were observed, respectively, consistent with alpha-nucleophiles reactivity. TAZ(-) regioselectively promotes the degradation of DEDNPP via P-O bond break, forming a quickly hydrolyzable phosphorylated intermediate, regenerating the nucleophile. Calculations using M06-2X/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory revealed that the equivalent nitrogen atoms of TAZ(-) are the main nucleophilic center of the molecule. This study expands the knowledge on the reactivity of iminic compounds as detoxificant agents of OPs, indicating the efficiency and selectivity of TAZ(-) in aqueous medium, encouraging the design of novel TAZ-based catalysts.
Objectives: To identify the studies regarding the health of
Latin America's agroindustry workers from 1980 to 2018 and
the evidences of the relationship between work precariousness
and health. Methodology: Summarized systematic review of
the literature available in Web of Science (including Scielo)
and Scopus Lilacs-Bireme (Virtual Health Library Regional
Portal) with the aid of a bibliographic reference manager, a
program to visualize bibliometric networks and a qualitative
data analysis program. Results: Regarding the categories
of "agroindustry" and "health", the research provided 2056
records published between 1978 and 2018. 1795 articles were
excluded as they did not meet the objective of the review.
261 included articles were statistically analyzed and 30 were
chosen for qualitative review. An increasing trend of articles
was identified, particularly in Brazil (with the highest amount
within the region), given the boom of agroindustry in the last
decades. Sugarcane is the most studied subsector and, from
the perspective of its implications, the most harmful effects
are due to exposure to agro-toxins, and the most frequent, to
ergonomic conditions that generate musculoskeletal problems.
Conclusions: A biomedical approach predominates in the
analyzed period; however, the literature consolidates with
contributions of social sciences. This has made it possible
to further problematize the health-disease conditions of
agroindustry workers, in view of the changes in the productive
models and the increase of the sector's work precariousness.
----------Keywords: agroindustry; working conditions,
occupational risks, occupational health, decent work, workers,
Latin America.
In recent years, Brazil has been one of the largest consumers of pesticides in the world, with atrazine (ATZ) being an active principle often used in Brazilian agriculture. In this context, this study aimed at developing a fast, simple and economical routine methodology for the identification and quantification of ATZ and its transformation products, deisonopropylatrazine (DIA) and deethylatrazine (DEA), by using dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) as extraction technique associated with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis in surface water (River class 2). The best extraction condition was set using the Doehlert experimental design. Validation of the developed DLLME-GC/MS methodology showed limits of detection and quantification of 0.050 and 0.150 μg L-1 for ATZ, 0.250 and 0.500 μg L-1 for DEA and 0.250 and 0.900 μg L-1 for DIA, respectively. Parameters as matrix effect, repeatability and accuracy were evaluated. The proposed method proved to be simple, easy and low cost for the analysis of a large number of different types of aqueous samples.
Method used to estimate worldwide ventilator occupancy as a result of pesticide self-poisoning. This provides the calculations behind the estimates of ventilator use in paragraph 5 of the discussion section of the paper.
Objective In view of the shortage of population-based rural studies, this research project evaluated the associations between the characteristics of rural work and the occurrence of minor psychiatric disorders (MPD). Methods A cross sectional study was carried out on the 1,282 farm. Information about the farms (land extension, agricultural activities, technology and pesticide use) was collected. Demographic and socioeconomic data, characteristics of the work process and mental health indicators were obtained from the workers. Results MPD were found in 37.5% of the farm workers. The risk,cas higher on farms with a land extension of from 26 to 50 hectares, and lover where there was an increased level of job technology and schooling. The prevalence of MPD was higher among bean producers and lower among apple producers. Despite the impossibility of defining the direction of the causal link, pesticide poisoning was strongly associated with MPD. Conclusion The results call attention to the dimension of the problem and to the importance of adopting new policies for the protection of farm workers' mental health.
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 risks from exposure to pesticides for farmers, and from secondary exposure to these compounds for their families.
Brazil is the world's fourth largest consumer of pesticides, and the largest in Latin America. In the Brazilian Amazon, the use of pesticides in varzeas (seasonally flooded land, where fresh vegetables are produced for regional urban markets) is intensive and is perceived by local farmers as necessary for the feasibility of vegetable production in the region. Usage of pesticides in Brazilian agriculture is regulated by Federal Law No. 7.802. However, law enforcement is almost absent in some remote areas. Given the limited or poor literacy skills of Amazon farmers and widespread use of pesticides, it is expected that occupational exposure to pesticides is likely to be high, increasing the vulnerability to acute and chronic poisoning. This paper investigates levels of understanding of pesticide handling among farmers by focusing on their ability to understand the information displayed on product labels, which might affect risk reduction.We found that the information displayed on product labels was not effective in promoting protective and safety measures. Farmers, in the main, do not read the labels, reporting that the fonts are too small, and that the instructions are too long and in overly technical Portuguese. They also understood few of the pictograms, which are directed at the illiterate. In many cases, the inability to understand the information displayed led to the adoption of practices which actually increased exposure, risks to human health and environmental contamination. This is alarming considering that 42% of farmers use methyl-parathion which is considered extremely hazardous by the WHO classification and whose use has been banned in the European Union. Farmers’ adopted practices and understanding of product labels is presented and possible alternatives discussed, including changes to the Federal law on pesticide product labeling.
Exposure to toxic substances, including pesticides, can cause irreversible damage to humans, including death, and is therefore considered a serious public health problem worldwide. This is a retrospective study using data gathered by the Toxicological Information and Assistance Center of Brazil's Federal District (Ciat-DF) between 2004 and 2007. During this period, 709 intoxications with pesticide occurred in the DF and were analyzed in this study. Fifty-one percent of the intoxicated individuals were men; the events occurred mostly in the home (91%), in the urban area (86.3%) and by ingestion (84%). Children from 1 to 4 years of age and adults from 20 to 39 years were involved in 30% and 36% of the cases, respectively. Accidental intoxication corresponded to 47.1% of the cases, followed by attempted suicide (44.2%). The illegal rodenticide known as "chumbinho", the main ingredient of which is carbamate insecticide aldicarb, was involved in 35.1% of the cases, mostly in suicide attempts. In eighteen cases, the intoxicated individuals died after exposure to the pesticides, namely 15 suicides and 3 accidental poisonings. When compared with other data sources, this study identified a high level of underreporting to the Ciat-DF of intoxication by pesticide during the period under study.
Pesticide use is intensive in Brazilian agriculture. Population-based studies on the characteristics of pesticide use and pesticide poisoning are scarce. This study describes the profile of occupational exposure and pesticide poisoning incidence. Farm characteristics and pesticide occupational exposure were evaluated using a cross-sectional design. Among 1,379 farmers/farm workers, annual incidence of pesticide poisoning was 2.2 episodes per 100 exposed. Based on Poisson regression, applying pesticide, reentering crop fields after spraying, and working with pesticides on more than one farm were the types of exposure that presented a positive correlation with pesticide poisoning. The results may be useful for planning activities aimed at reducing occupational pesticide poisoning among rural workers.
The present study applies the risk perception analytical methodology based on rapid surveys. It took place in the micro-basin of the São Lourenço Creek in Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. The methodological approach was based on participatory observation, semi-structured interviews with 24 key informants selected among local farmers (N = 120), and evaluation of local work processes. Field data analysis revealed some issues related to the risk perception profile in the study population, including the development of defensive strategies to deal with work hazards, the importance of communication in developing workers' risk perceptions, the subjective responses to potentially hazardous situations, and the role of individual risk perception as a determinant of human exposure to pesticides. The results evoked the importance of systematically incorporating risk perception analyses into intervention strategies, especially in educational risk communication campaigns.
Brazil is one of the world leaders in pesticide consumption and exposed workers are numerous and diversified. Acute poisonings are just the most visible aspect of pesticide impact on human health. An assessment of many official information systems that notify pesticide poisoning concluded that none of them performed appropriately the role of a surveillance system. Only acute and severe cases are notified. One of the main gaps concerns exposure information: the only official source (the Agronomic Prescriptions) has many limitations and is not available for research. A review of published articles in Brazil shows a quantitative and qualitative increase of studies in this area with many different approaches. The impact of such a high chemical burden and the huge numbers of workers exposed are two important reasons for the development of an epidemiological research on pesticide poisoning, an issue that has still a vast field to cover in Brazil.
Between 1950 and 1995 suicide rates in Sri Lanka increased 8-fold to a peak of 47 per 100,000 in 1995. By 2005, rates had halved. We investigated whether Sri Lanka's regulatory controls on the import and sale of pesticides that are particularly toxic to humans were responsible for these changes in the incidence of suicide.
Ecological analysis using graphical and descriptive approaches to identify time trends in suicide and risk factors for suicide in Sri Lanka, 1975-2005.
Restrictions on the import and sales of WHO Class I toxicity pesticides in 1995 and endosulfan in 1998, coincided with reductions in suicide in both men and women of all ages. 19,769 fewer suicides occurred in 1996-2005 as compared with 1986-95. Secular trends in unemployment, alcohol misuse, divorce, pesticide use and the years associated with Sri Lanka's Civil war did not appear to be associated with these declines.
These data indicate that in countries where pesticides are commonly used in acts of self-poisoning, import controls on the most toxic pesticides may have a favourable impact on suicide. In Asia, there are an estimated 300,000 deaths from pesticide self-poisoning annually. National and international policies restricting the sale of pesticides that are most toxic to humans may have a major impact on suicides in the region.
Evidence is accumulating that pesticide self-poisoning is one of the most commonly used methods of suicide worldwide, but the magnitude of the problem and the global distribution of these deaths is unknown.
We have systematically reviewed the worldwide literature to estimate the number of pesticide suicides in each of the World Health Organisation's six regions and the global burden of fatal self-poisoning with pesticides. We used the following data sources: Medline, EMBASE and psycINFO (1990-2007), papers cited in publications retrieved, the worldwide web (using Google) and our personal collections of papers and books. Our aim was to identify papers enabling us to estimate the proportion of a country's suicides due to pesticide self-poisoning.
We conservatively estimate that there are 258,234 (plausible range 233,997 to 325,907) deaths from pesticide self-poisoning worldwide each year, accounting for 30% (range 27% to 37%) of suicides globally. Official data from India probably underestimate the incidence of suicides; applying evidence-based corrections to India's official data, our estimate for world suicides using pesticides increases to 371,594 (range 347,357 to 439,267). The proportion of all suicides using pesticides varies from 4% in the European Region to over 50% in the Western Pacific Region but this proportion is not concordant with the volume of pesticides sold in each region; it is the pattern of pesticide use and the toxicity of the products, not the quantity used, that influences the likelihood they will be used in acts of fatal self-harm.
Pesticide self-poisoning accounts for about one-third of the world's suicides. Epidemiological and toxicological data suggest that many of these deaths might be prevented if (a) the use of pesticides most toxic to humans was restricted, (b) pesticides could be safely stored in rural communities, and (c) the accessibility and quality of care for poisoning could be improved.
Introduction:
The association between pesticide use and an increased suicide risk is a controversial issue. Previous studies have shown higher rates of suicide among agricultural workers and people living in small municipalities, but have not identified the causes of these results.
Objective:
To investigate the association between pesticide exposure and suicide rates.
Methods:
Crude suicide rates of a 15-year time series (1996-2010) were examined, followed by an ecological study using age-standardized suicide rates for the period 2006-2010. The unit of analysis was all 558 Brazilian micro-regions. Pesticide exposure was evaluated according to the proportion of farms that used pesticides and had reported cases of pesticide poisonings. The statistics were analysed using Pearson's correlation and multiple linear regression adjusted for socioeconomic, demographic and cultural factors.
Results:
Among the age group that was analysed, the mean suicide rate was 6.4 cases/100,000 per year in the 2006-2010 period, with a male/female ratio of 4.2. The times series showed that there were higher suicide rates among people aged 35-64 years and among men aged 15-34 years. The ecological analysis showed that the suicide rates were higher in micro-regions with a higher proportion of farms run by 35-64 year olds, female workers and on farms with better economic indicators (higher farming income, level of mechanization and farm area). There was a positive association between the Catholic religion and suicide rates. Micro-regions with a greater use of pesticides, and with a high proportion of pesticide poisoning had the highest suicide rates for all three groups analysed: both genders, men, and women (p ranging from 0.01 to p<0.001).
Conclusion:
This study reinforces the hypothesis that pesticide use and pesticide poisoning increase the suicide rates. However, due to the limitations of the study's ecological design, such as ecological fallacy, further appropriately designed studies are needed to confirm the causal relationships.
Introduction:
Exposure to pesticides has been associated with psychiatric problems among farm workers, although there is still controversy as to chemical types, intensity and forms of exposure that represent risk factors for neuropsychological problems. Furthermore, tobacco workers are exposed to dermal absorption of nicotine, although its effect on mental health has not yet been studied.
Objectives:
To identify the prevalence of minor psychiatric disorders (MPD) among tobacco farmers and associated factors, paying special attention to pesticide and nicotine exposure.
Methods:
This is a cross-sectional study with a representative sample of tobacco growers, characterizing economic indicators of the farms, socio-demographic factors, lifestyle habits and occupational exposures. Multivariate analysis was performed using a hierarchical Poisson regression model.
Results:
A total of 2400 tobacco farmers were assessed and MPD prevalence was 12%. MPD was higher among women (PR 1.4), workers aged 40 or over, tenants/employees (PR 1.8) and those who reported having difficulty in paying debts (PR 2.0). Low socioeconomic status was inversely associated with MPD prevalence. Tasks involving dermal exposure to pesticides showed risk varying between 35% and 71%, whereas tobacco growers on farms using organophosphates had 50% more risk of MPD than those not exposed to this kind of pesticide. The number of pesticide poisoning and green tobacco sickness episodes showed linear association with MPD.
Conclusions:
The study reinforces the evidence of the association between pesticide poisoning and mental health disorders. It also points to increased risk of MPD from low socioeconomic status, dermal pesticide exposure as well as from exposure to organophosphates. Furthermore, the study reveals intense nicotine exposure as a risk for tobacco farmers' mental health.
To describe a prospective case series of poisonings caused by ingestion of illegal rodenticides containing acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, mainly "chumbinho," followed-up by the Campinas PCC for a period of 1 year.
Seventy-six cases were included, of which 53.9% were males. Age ranged from 2 to 74 years (median = 36 years). The main circumstances leading to poisoning were intentional (suicide attempts 92.1%; homicide attempts 5.3%), and 65.8% were admitted less than 2 hours after ingestion. Most of the patients (96.1%) showed cholinergic muscarinic manifestations, particularly salivation (86.8%), myosis (77.6%), sweating (50%), and bronchorrhea (35.5%). Atropine was used in 82.9% of patients (median = 2 days), intubation and mechanical ventilation in 46.1% (median = 3 days), and the median length of the hospital stay was 4 days. Plasma samples obtained upon admission in 59 cases revealed (LC-MS/MS): aldicarb (55), carbofuran (2), aldicarb and carbofuran (1), no active component (1). In most of the plasma and urine samples collected upon admission, the highest concentrations (ng/mL) obtained were for the active metabolite aldicarb sulphoxide (plasma, median = 831, IIQ = 99.2-2885; urine, median = 9800, IIQ = 2000-15000) than aldicarb (plasma, median = 237, IIQ = 35.7-851; urine, median = 584, IIQ = 166-1230), indicating rapid metabolism. The excretion of aldicarb and its metabolites was rapid since these compounds were rarely detected in plasma samples 48 hours after admission. Sequential cholinesterase analysis in 14 patients revealed almost complete reactivation in the first 48 hours post-admission, compatible for poisoning by carbamates. Based on the Poisoning Severity Score, the cases were classified as asymptomatic (5.3%), minor (11.8%), moderate (35.5%), severe (43.4%), and fatal (3.9%).
Most poisonings involved aldicarb and resulted from suicide attempts; the poisonings were generally severe, with a mortality of 3.9%. Aldicarb was rapidly absorbed, metabolized, and excreted.
Pesticides are the second major cause of poisoning in Brazil, but information about the chemicals involved and the clinical management of patients is scarce.
This study is a retrospective review of 709 pesticide cases reported to a toxicological information center from 2004 to 2007.
Over 90% of the cases occurred after accidental or self-poisoning; more than 60% of the accidents involved children up to 4 years old, mainly with domestic pyrethroid insecticides. One hundred ninety-four cases involved chumbinho, an illegal rodenticide known to contain acetylcholinesterase inhibitor insecticides, mainly aldicarb. In about half the cases, the individuals were admitted to hospitals. Those poisoned with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors stayed longer and most of them displayed pronounced clinical signs of poisoning (Poisoning Severity Score grades 2-4); 14 of the 18 deaths reported occurred with these products. Atropine was given to about 30% of the individuals, including to some with no cholinergic symptoms or exposed to non-acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. All 81 poisonings with coumarin were asymptomatic, but in half of the cases the individuals received vitamin K.
The lack of laboratory support to confirm the chemical involved in the poisonings certainly contributed to the unnecessary antidote administration. In spite of continuing government efforts, poisoning with chumbinho is still a major problem in the country.
Although intentional and unintentional rodenticide poisoning is common, most readily available agents are of relatively low acute toxicity. A four-year long epidemic of severe toxicity from rodenticide exposure continues among patients predominantly of Dominican descent living in New York City. This study characterizes the ongoing epidemic of acute cholinesterase inhibitor poisoning due to an illicit rodenticide and identifies its etiology.
A prospectively collected case series of poisoned patients referred to the New York City Poison Control Center. The main outcome measures include the clinical characteristics upon presentation, antidotal and other therapeutic requirements, and patient outcome. Product analysis was performed with paper chromatography, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, and high-performance liquid chromatography. A murine model assessing both clinical effect and cholinesterase activity was also performed.
Thirty-five patients were referred following exposure to Tres Pasitos. Patients developed signs of cholinergic hyperactivity and many required high doses of atropine (>10 mg) to control these symptoms. The source was identified as a rodenticidal compound sold illicitly in local groceries primarily within the Dominican community. Murine cholinesterase activity fell significantly following exposure to the rodenticide. High-performance liquid chromatography identified aldicarb, an extremely potent carbamate-type cholinesterase inhibitor, not licensed for rodenticidal use in this country.
Illicit sale of undocumented compounds poses a substantial public health threat. Despite several public health interventions, the epidemic continues.
Hundreds of thousands of people are dying around the world each year from the effects of the use, or misuse, of pesticides. This paper reviews the different options to reduce availability of the most hazardous chemicals, focusing on issues in developing countries. Emphasis is placed on the fatal poisoning cases and hence the focus on self-harm cases. Overall, it is argued here that restricting access to the most hazardous pesticides would be of paramount importance to reduce the number of severe acute poisoning cases and case-fatalities and would provide greater opportunities for preventive programmes to act effectively. The aim should be to achieve an almost immediate phasing out of the WHO Classes I and II pesticides through national policies and enforcement. These short-term aims will have to be supported by medium- and long-term objectives focusing on the substitution of pesticides with safe and cost-effective alternatives, possibly guided by the establishment of a Minimum Pesticide List, and the development of future agricultural practices where pesticide usage is reduced to an absolute minimum. Underlying factors that make individuals at risk for self-harm include domestic problems, alcohol or drug addiction, emotional distress, depression, physical illness, social isolation or financial hardship. These should be addressed through preventive health programmes and community development efforts.
This survey is part of a more comprehensive study on the health consequences of pesticide exposure. In the county (municipality) of Paty do Alferes, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, 55 agricultural workers were interviewed on the use of pesticides, use of personal protective equipment, data on health status, and symptoms related to pesticide exposure, disposal of agrochemical containers, and technical assistance. The most widely used pesticides were insecticides such as abamectin, organophosphate compounds, and pyrethroids, and fungicides such as mancozeb, chlorothalonil, and copper products. As a rule, pesticides are handled carelessly, and 92% of workers involved in the mixing, loading, and spraying of insecticides and fungicides used no protective clothing or equipment whatsoever. Some 62% of workers reported at least one illness associated with mixing or spraying pesticides. The most frequently reported symptoms were headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, skin irritation, and blurred vision, and 21% of affected workers required medical care. In more than half (51%) of the cases, workers reported using organophosphate insecticides from toxicological class I when they felt sick.
Prevalence of suicide with pesticides in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, was evaluated based on data from the Integrated State Center for Toxicological Surveillance under the State Health Department and reported from January 1992 to December 2002. Population and crop production data were collected from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, and suicide data were obtained from the State Health Department. During the period studied, 1,355 cases of pesticide poisoning were reported, including 506 suicide attempts, resulting in 139 deaths. The regions of Campo Grande and Dourados had the highest prevalence of suicide attempts, with Dourados having the most deaths. Dourados also had a high prevalence of suicide attempts overall, with an increasing trend in the previous 10 years. The results indicated that Dourados is a critical region in the State in terms of intentional ingestion of pesticides, showing the need for an epidemiological investigation to better evaluate and quantify these events among the rural population.
Exposure to pesticides has been the source of many acute and chronic health problems in the rural population, mainly in developing countries. The objective of this study was to characterize the poisonings from acute exposure to agricultural pesticides used in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, from 1992 to 2002, which were reported to the Integrated Center of Toxicological Vigilance of the State Health Department. A total of 1355 involuntary (accidental or occupational) and voluntary (intentional self-poisoning) cases were reported during the period of the study. The majority of the poisonings occurred with men ranging in age from 15 to 49 years of age (55.1%). One hundred seventy-six poisonings lead to death, with a case fatality rate (CFR) three times higher than the average Brazilian CFR. The pesticide poisoning rates, per 100,000 inhabitants living in rural areas, ranged from 25 to 65.7 during the period of the study. In 2000, the micro-region of Campo Grande, where the state capital is located, had the highest rate, with 100.5 exposure/100,000 inhabitants, followed by Dourados, the larger agricultural region of the state. Insecticides were involved in 75.7% of the poisoning cases, followed by herbicides, with 12.2% of the cases. The anticholinestherase insecticides methamidophos, carbofuran and monochrotophos were the primary pesticides involved in the poisonings. The insecticide dimethoate was associated with the highest CFR (30.8%). The high rates of pesticide poisoning in the rural populations of certain regions of the state of Mato Grosso do Sul indicate the need for a more detailed study concerning the risk of pesticide poisoning among these populations.
In this study, the knowledge, attitudes, and practices associated with pesticide use and exposure were evaluated in the agricultural community of Culturama, in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. A standardized questionnaire was completed by 250 farm workers aged > or =18 years old. The average age of the studied population was 43.6 years and 17.6% had never been to school. Their farms were small (approximately 30ha) and family operated and did not utilize advanced farming technology. About 92% of the interviewees had worked directly with pesticides and 59.6% reported typical intoxication symptoms. Only 44.3%, however, believe that they had been intoxicated. A significant correlation was found between hand washing after pesticide application and reporting symptoms (P=0.014). Over 90% of the farmers reported using the organophosphorus insecticide methamidophos. A great majority (>90%) considered pesticides to be harmful to human health, but less than 20% used masks, impermeable clothes, or gloves during pesticide application. These results indicate that special educational programs, legislation promoting the use of safer pesticides, and implementation of personal protective measures are necessary to decrease the pesticide exposure of farmers in Culturama.
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