Respiratory Condition of Family Farmers Exposed to Pesticides in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract

Pesticide exposure is a growing public health concern. Although Brazil is the world’s largest consumer of pesticides, only a few studies have addressed the health effects among farmers. This study aimed to evaluate whether pesticide exposure is associated with respiratory outcomes among rural workers and relatives in Brazil during the crop and off-seasons. Family farmers (82) were interviewed about occupational history and respiratory symptoms, and cholinesterase tests were conducted in the crop-season. Spirometry was performed during the crop and off-season. Respiratory outcomes were compared between seasons and multiple regressions analysis were conducted to search for associations with exposure indicators. Participants were occupationally and environmentally exposed to multiple pesticides from an early age. During the crop and off-season, respectively, they presented a prevalence of 40% and 30.7% for cough, 30.7% and 24% for nasal allergies, and 24% and 17.3% for chest tightness. Significant associations between spirometry impairments and exposure indicators were found both during the crop and off-season. These findings provide complementary evidence about the association of pesticide exposure with adverse respiratory effects among family farmers in Brazil. This situation requires special attention as it may increase the risk of pulmonary dysfunctions, and the morbidity and mortality burden associated with these diseases.

Chronic Respiratory Symptoms and Lung Function of Farmer and Breeder in UTU Village, Tabanan, Bali

“…The average prediction value of FVC, FEV1, and FEV1/FVC during the planting season was obtained above 80%. In that study, it was found that the prevalence of respiratory symptom was higher in farmers compared to our study and symptoms such as coughing and chest tightness were the dominant symptoms [6].…”

“…Exposure to pesticides is also one of the respiratory diseases risk factor in farmer. Various studies had shown relationship of respiratory symptoms and pathological results on spirometry examination with a history of pesticide used [6], [23]. Effects of exposure on the respiratory system are related to local and systemic toxic reactions.…”

“…Another study conducted by Buralli et al in 2018 in Brazil found that there was a strong relationship between pesticide exposures to pathologic process in respiratory tract. Respiratory symptoms such as cough were found 40% in farmers during the harvest season, nasal allergies were found in 30.7% of farmers, and chest pain was found in 24% of farmers [6]. A study conducted by Lamprecht et al in 2007 in Austria using 228 farmer subjects found that agriculture was a risk factor of persistent airway obstruction.…”

Respiratory and Allergic Effects in Children Exposed to Pesticides—A Systematic Review

“…Pesticide exposure may disproportionally affect lower and middle-income countries, where regulation, surveillance and farmer's technical support are weaker and less rigorous [25,26]. In these countries, frequent exposure to multiple highly toxic chemicals without proper personal protection is common, and has been associated with respiratory health impacts in adults exposed occupationally [2,7,[27][28][29], possibly overloading the health systems. It is estimated that 99% of the poisoning cases of pesticide exposure occur in low and middle-income countries [30], but contrastingly most studies included in this review were located in high-income countries.…”

“…Epidemiological studies with adults suggest that occupational exposure to pesticides is associated with a higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms [1,2], asthma and allergies [3,4], and changes in lung function [1,2,[5][6][7]. These findings were also reinforced by two literature reviews recently published [8,9].…”