Assessment of the respiratory function of farmers exposed to pesticides in the municipality of Quilombo (state of Santa Catarina, Brazil): relationship between health and occupational protection

Abstract

Introduction Rural workers are exposed to various occupational risks, especially considering the exposure to pesticides. This exposure can lead to respiratory intoxications being the most frequent complaint by these professionals, which could be associated to the lack or improper use of personal protective equipment. Objectives To assess the respiratory function of rural workers exposed to pesticides in the municipality of Quilombo, state of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Methods This study was quantitative, observational, and descriptive. Our sample consisted of 31 rural workers aged between 25 and 45 years and divided into 2 age groups; we aimed to assess the effect of the period of exposure to pesticides. The participants answered a questionnaire, followed by a respiratory function assessment including measurements of inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength using a manovacuometer, of peak expiratory flow with a peak flow meter, and of tidal volume with a ventilometer. Results The groups presented decreases in respiratory muscle strength, peak expiratory flow, and tidal volume. Conclusions The damage to expiratory function observed in the evaluated sample presents, as a main factor, the lack of personal protective equipment use; therefore, education and health strategies are needed to instrumentalize these workers and reduce the development of occupational risks.

Pesticides in different environmental compartments in Brazil: a review

“…e Nat., Santa Maria, v. 45, e2, 2023 Therefore, despite the quantitative monitoring of waste by regulatory bodies, there are still chemical components above tolerable concentrations, this type of exposure can cause problems not only for humans but also for marine life and soil microbiota. (BOMBARDELLI et al, 2021;PORTAL et al, 2019).…”

“…The use of agrochemicals in excess or use of active ingredients prohibited due to their toxicology, as well as their application without adequate biosafety practices, can damage the health of the population, especially rural workers who frequently carry out the application and are exposed to pesticides (BOMBARDELLI et al, 2021;KHAYAT et al, 2013;DETÓFANO et al, 2013). To identify and assess the risks of pesticides, research is carried out to determine their potential for contamination in the different matrices (surface water, soil, air, and sediments), as well as the cumulative exposure of these compounds through oral and/ or other exposure routes .…”