Acute Pesticide Poisoning in Tobacco Farming, According to Different Criteria

Neice Muller Xavier Faria (), Rodrigo Dalke Meucci, Nadia Spada Fiori, Maria Laura Vidal Carret, Carlos Augusto Mello-da-Silva and Anaclaudia Gastal Fassa
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Neice Muller Xavier Faria: Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas 96030-000, Brazil
Rodrigo Dalke Meucci: Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande 96203-900, Brazil
Nadia Spada Fiori: Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas 96030-000, Brazil
Maria Laura Vidal Carret: Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas 96030-000, Brazil
Carlos Augusto Mello-da-Silva: Poison Information Center (CIT/RS), State Health Department, Porto Alegre 90610-000, Brazil
Anaclaudia Gastal Fassa: Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas 96030-000, Brazil

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 4, 1-17

Abstract: Background: Brazil is one of the world’s largest pesticide consumers, but information on pesticide poisoning among workers is scarce. Objective: To evaluate acute pesticide poisoning among tobacco growers, according to different criteria. Methods: This was a two-step cross-sectional study with 492 pesticide applicators. It used a 25 question pesticide-related symptoms (PRS) questionnaire and medical diagnosis for comparison with toxicological assessment. Associations were evaluated using Poisson regression. Results: 10.6% reported two or more PRS, while 8.1% reported three or more. Furthermore, 12.2% received a medical diagnosis of poisoning. According to toxicologists, possible cases accounted for 14.2% and probable cases for 4.3%. PRS increased during the period of greater exposure. Those exposed to dithiocarbamates, sulfentrazone, pyrethroids, fipronil and iprodione exhibited more PRS. The number of exposure types, multi-chemical exposure, clothes wet with pesticides and spillage on the body/clothes were associated with acute poisonings. All criteria showed sensitivity greater than 79% for probable cases but only greater than 70% for medical diagnosis when compared to possible cases, presenting substantial Kappa agreement. Conclusion: The prevalence of acute pesticide poisoning is much higher than officially recorded. Trained physicians can screen for pesticide poisoning. It is necessary to improve workers’ education to reduce pesticide use and exposure to them.

Keywords: pesticide; poisoning; epidemiology; toxicology; tobacco; farmer (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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