Health, environment and working conditions in tobacco cultivation: a review of the literature.
This study presents a review of the literature published between 1979 and 2010 on health and working conditions in tobacco cultivation, with particular emphasis on the Brazilian context. A review of computerized databases (PubMed, Scopus, WilsonWeb and Bireme/PAHO Virtual Health Library - Public Health) was carried out using the following search terms: tobacco, agricultural worker health, agricultural worker disease, working conditions, unsafe working conditions, occupational risk, occupational disease, and labor force. Articles published in English, Spanish and Portuguese were analyzed. Thirty-seven articles were selected from 214 references that were initially identified. Thirty-four additional publications (reports, etc.) were also analyzed. Among the many effects described in the literature, especially noteworthy are "green tobacco sickness," respiratory disorders, musculoskeletal injuries, mental disorders, and a negative environmental impact. Very few studies have been carried out in Brazil.
Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, 21041-210 Rio de Janeiro, RJ.deiselis@terra.com.br
Deise Lisboa
DL
Riquinho
Elida Azevedo
EA
Hennington
D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D000383:Agriculture; D001938:Brazil; D004782:Environmental Health; D006801:Humans; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000592:standards*; D011634:Public Health; D014026:Nicotiana; D014944:World Health Organization