Impact of pesticides on human health and the profile of the farmer regarding their use

• Autor(a) principal: dos Santos Martins, Julielle
• Data de Publicação: 2023
• Outros Autores: Carlos de Freitas, Erica, Andrade Souza, Mayara, Marques da Silva Júnior Pavão, Jessé, Cabral Silva, Juliane, Cabral de Santanna, Selenobaldo Alexinaldo, Barbosa da Silva, Kelly, Duarte de Freitas, Johnnatan, Feitosa dos Santos, Aldenir
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por; eng
• Título da fonte: Diversitas Journal
• Texto Completo: https://diversitasjournal.com.br/diversitas_journal/article/view/2636
• topic: intoxicação; defensivos agrícolas; EPIs; Poisoning; pesticides; individual protection equipment

Pesticides are among the risk factors for the health of workers and the environment. It has already been found that in the current agricultural production model, based on the intensive use of these inputs, either good health and environmental preservation are prioritized or productivity gains are prioritized. The objective of the present work is to evaluate the impact of pesticides on human health and the profile of the farmer in relation to their use. This work is a descriptive analytical study, carried out in the municipality of Igreja Nova - AL, with 54 volunteers (sample calculation obtained in the OpenEpi program). A questionnaire structured in 04 (four) axes was applied, which allowed the research of the following variables: personal data, living conditions, agricultural production process and workers' health conditions. It was observed that 94.44% of the farmers participating in the survey are male and have a low level of education. Monoculture is the predominant agricultural style in the region (42.59%) and sugar cane is the main agricultural crop (85.19%). 17 pesticides were reported to be used by farmers, with emphasis on 2,4-D; glyphosate and hexazinone. It is important to point out that 74.07% of the farmers stated that they did not use a prescription when purchasing these chemical products and that 54% reported not having received guidance on the correct way to use these products. Regarding the protection of the farmer, 64% of the farmers use some personal protective equipment (PPE) when preparing the product, and 94% when applying it in the field, highlighting the use of gloves, masks, pants and boots. The main means of application of pesticides (98%) is the knapsack sprayer, with a biannual application frequency. Regarding the health status of the interviewees, 61.11% said they had no health problems. However, when questioned about health problems presented in the act of handling the pesticide, 60% of the farmers mainly reported headaches (17.95%), dizziness (17.95%), change in vision (15.38%) and nausea (15.38%. And a worrying fact is that the majority (86%) reported not seeking the health service as a result of this health complaint. It is therefore concluded that it is important that more information related to the correct and safe use of pesticides and the health risks inherent to their use,are made available to farmers, as a guarantee of their occupational health and physical integrity.