[Multiple exposure to pesticides and impacts on health: a cross-section study of 102 rural workers, Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil].
A cross section study was carried out in a farming community from Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, to examine epidemiological, clinical and laboratory aspects of multiple exposure to pesticides in a representative sample of 102 small farmers. Both males and females were submitted to an extensive protocol which included an occupation questionnaire, biological sample collection for toxicology analysis and clinical - general and neurological - evaluation. The toxicology test results showed light to moderate episodes of acute intoxication by organophosphorates either described by the farmers or observed during clinical examination. Thirteen cases of delayed neuropathies (12,8%) as well as 29 cases of neural behavioral syndromes and psychiatric disorders associated to the continued use of pesticides were diagnosed. These results indicate recurrent multiple overexposures to high concentrations of different chemicals, with serious damage to vital functions, especially considering their young age (average 35 +/- 11 years old) and the productive period in their lifetime. These results show how important it is to monitor multiple exposure to pesticides - a chain of events that may have major impacts on public health and the environment.
NETT IDT HUCFF, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Ilha do Fundão. 21941-913. Rio de Janeiro. ajaraujo@hucff.ufrj.br
Alberto José
AJ
de Araújo
Jaime Silva
JS
de Lima
Josino Costa
JC
Moreira
Silvana do Couto
Sdo C
Jacob
Mônica de Oliveira
Mde O
Soares
Marcos César Monassa
MC
Monteiro
Alexandre Muza
AM
do Amaral
Alexandre
A
Kubota
Armando
A
Meyer
Carlos Alberto Nunes
CA
Cosenza
Cesar
C
das Neves
Steven
S
Markowitz
D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010575:Pesticides / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012424:Rural Population
D010575:Pesticides