Pesticide exposure and health conditions of terrestrial pesticide applicators in Córdoba Province, Argentina

Abstract

Agricultural workers represent a population that is highly vulnerable to the toxic effects of pesticide exposure. This cross sectional study aimed to describe the health conditions of terrestrial pesticide applicators in Córdoba Province, Argentina, their work practices and socio-demographic characteristics, by means of a standardized self-administered questionnaire (n = 880). A descriptive analysis reported a high prevalence of occasional or frequent symptoms: 47.4% had symptoms of irritation, 35.5% fatigue, 40.4% headache and 27.6% nervousness or depression. Using logistic regression models, risk and protective factors were found for symptoms of irritation, medical consultation and hospitalization. Among the occupational exposure variables, marital status, length of time in the job, low level of protection with regard to the use of personal protective equipment, combined use of different pesticides and the application of the insecticide endosulfan, were associated with a higher frequency of reported symptoms and higher consultation rates and hospitalization.

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“…Se encontró que el uso de PPE durante la aplicación de plaguicidas es mínima e incompleta. Esta baja tasa de uso de PPE también se reporta en otros estudios (Waichman et al, 2007;Butinof et al, 2015). Esto, es un signo de exposición a los plaguicidas y un riesgo de intoxicación.…”

“…La exposición ocupacional a plaguicidas, aunque ampliamente documentada en los países desarrollados, es un tema que permanece parcialmente ignorado o poco estudiado en países en desarrollo (Atreya, 2007;Imran & Dilshad, 2011), a pesar de ser uno de los mayores riesgos ocupacionales de intoxicación entre los agricultores. De hecho, la presencia de plaguicidas en el ambiente laboral constituye un riesgo potencial de exposición (Alavanja et al, 2013;Butinof et al, 2015). La determinación del nivel de exposición laboral a plaguicidas en zonas rurales presenta diversas dificultades, debido al uso irregular de éstos y a las variaciones en sus formas de uso (Tielemans et al, 2007).…”

“…There is a vast literature on occupational exposure to pesticides in developed countries, but it is a subject that remains partially ignored or poorly studied in developing countries (Atreya, 2007, Imran & Dilshad, 2011, despite being one of the greatest occupational hazards of intoxication among farmers. In fact, the presence of pesticides in the work environment constitutes a potential risk of exposure (Alavanja et al, 2013;Butinof et al, 2015). The determination of the level of occupational exposure to pesticides in rural areas presents various difficulties, due to the irregular use of pesticides and variations in their forms of use (Tielemans et al, 2007).…”

Association of Pesticide Use and Personal Protective Equipments with Health Complaints among Horticulture Farmers in Buleleng, Bali

“…Temuan ini bertolak belakang dengan studi sebelumnya yang menyatakan penggunaan APD merupakan faktor protektif selama kontak dengan pestisida. 10,11 Hal tersebut kemungkinan karena penggunaan dan perawatan APD yang tidak tepat dan penelitian ini dilakukan secara potong lintang sehingga tidak bisa diambil kesimpulan sebab akibat. Kelemahan lainnya adalah terbatasnya penelitian terpublikasi │ Juli 2016 │ Volume 4 │ Nomor 1 │ responden yang telah berpartisipasi dalam penelitian ini.…”

Şanlıurfa’da bitki koruma ürünü satış yerlerinde çalışanlarda nörolojik ve psikiyatrik semptomlar ve ilişkili faktörler

“…Birçok çalışmada da nörolojik bozukluk ile pestisit etkilenimi arasında ilişki saptanmıştır. [45][46][47]…”