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Off-label use of pesticides (i.e. application at inappropriate times and/or on unregistered crops) is a potential risk to the environment and human health. The objective of this study was to assess the level of knowledge and awareness of small lot farmers on the use, risk, and hazards associated with exposure to pesticides in the agricultural region of Sancti Spíritus, Cuba. For the fulfillment of the objective, 124 small lot farmers of the province were surveyed. The results were analyzed from an initial descriptive analysis and then through an association analysis using the Chi-Square test and Spearman correlations, with the use of the statistical package SPSS version 20.0. The results showed that only 28.3 % of the farmers had received specific training on pesticides. Personal experience was the main driver for decisions about which pesticides to use and how to apply them. 35.8 % of the farmers stored pesticides in unmarked containers, such as soft drink bottles. The empty containers are stored to be incinerated (31.7 %) or reused (42.6 %) for pesticides, water, or fuel. Around 90 % of farmers do not use personal protection equipment. The study concludes that the lack of knowledge and personal protective equipment, inability to understand the labels, and low risk-perception are the main causes of exposure to pesticides and the health risk for workers and nearby residents, as well as damage to the environment.

Background Vegetables and rice produced in Cuba may contain residue of pesticides that exceed the maximum residue limits (MRLs). Pesticide residues on crop samples from Sancti Spíritus province were analyzed. Based on these residue data, a risk assessment of consumer exposure was conducted. Methods Samples collected during the 2017, 2018, and 2019 periods were analyzed using UPLC-MS/MS and GC/ECD chromatography techniques. A deterministic risk assessment was performed, using consumption data collected by the authors. Also, a probabilistic risk assessment was worked out with @RISK for the Monte Carlo simulation. Results A broad range of pesticides were detected in the samples. Most of the detected active ingredients were insecticides and fungicides. A considerable part of the detected pesticide residues exceeded the EU and Cuban MRLs. However, the deterministic risk assessment revealed that the consumer risk of pesticide exposure is low. Only in the maximum exposure scenario children and adults were exposed to methamidophos residues in tomatoes higher than the acceptable daily intake. Conclusions When a more realistic consumption (50th percentile) and higher (95th percentile) consumption pattern for tomatoes was assumed, the deterministic risk assessment found no chronic risk for children and adults being exposed to methamidophos present in the tomato samples. Furthermore, the probabilistic risk assessment concerning methamidophos exposure in tomato for children and adult strata showed no risk. To perform in the future a more accurate risk assessment for Cuban consumers it is important to have more detailed consumption data and an expanded dataset of the residues in different crops.