Rural workers' perception of the toxicological effects of pesticide use and exposure

Abstract

Rural workers are increasingly using pesticides in their plantations. Heavy use and lack of information about the actual risk factors developed by these products can cause numerous health hazards. The objective of this study was to evaluate the perception of rural workers regarding the symptoms caused to health by pesticides. For this, the main complaints of workers regarding health, time of rural activity, use of pesticides and knowledge of the toxicity of these products were investigated. For this, we used a questionnaire, an interview and a table containing symptomatological effects developed by the use and / or exposure of pesticides to health. Forty rural workers who worked in family or agroecological agriculture of the municipalities that make up the Zona da Mata de Rondônia participated in the research. Results show that 72.5% of respondents had chronic symptoms related to physical and psychological health. The perception of the risks and harms caused to human health by pesticides is unknown to respondents, although 60% are in rural areas and use pesticides for over 30 years. The uncontrolled and intense use of various types of pesticides and the lack of knowledge about the real damage caused to health is contributing to the illness of rural workers, further aggravating their vulnerability situation. This shows that there is a need for actions and / or initiatives for occupational health surveillance to bring guidance and adequate technical assistance regarding the safe use and the actual damage caused to health by pesticides.