Pesticide exposure in a farming village in Venezuela--a developing country.
This study was designed and performed by the Universidad de Carabobo, Centro de Investigaciones Toxicológicas, Venezuela, and the University of Cincinnati Department of Environmental Health. The authors tested methodology and analyzed preliminary data on demographics, pesticide use, health, environment, and lifestyles in a farming community in Venezuela (population = 386; sample size = 81) to determine if pesticide misuse might have been contributing to public health problems. Questionnaire and geographic information were collected. There were statistically significant incidences of pesticide-related symptoms (p < .01) in farmers versus nonfarmers (odds ratio = 5.7; 95% confidence interval = 2.9, 18.8). In addition, in one area there was a cluster of farmers who experienced symptoms that appeared to be the result of foul air and proximity to farms where there was pesticide use. The results of the study indicated that this public health problem may have been associated with pesticide misuse; however, additional studies are needed to corroborate the findings.
Rojas
M
M
Universidad de Carabobo, Centro de Investigaciones Toxicológicas, Valencia, Venezuela.
Reid
J
J
Rincón
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000383:Agriculture; D002648:Child; D003906:Developing Countries; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D010575:Pesticides / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011634:Public Health; D012424:Rural Population; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014687:Venezuela / Q000453:epidemiology
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D010575:Pesticides