Pesticide exposure and health conditions of terrestrial pesticide applicators in Córdoba Province, Argentina

Autor: Mariana Butinof, Ricardo Antorio Fernandez, María Inés Stimolo, María Josefina Lantieri, Marcelo Blanco, Ana Lia Machado, Germán Franchini, María del Pilar Díaz
Jazyk: English<br />Spanish; Castilian<br />Portuguese
Rok vydání: 2015
Předmět:
Zdroj: Cadernos de Saúde Pública, Vol 31, Iss 3, Pp 633-646 (2015)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 1678-4464
0102-311x
DOI: 10.1590/0102-311x00218313
Popis: Agricultural workers represent a population that is highly vulnerable to the toxic effects of pesticide exposure. This cross sectional study aimed to describe the health conditions of terrestrial pesticide applicators in Córdoba Province, Argentina, their work practices and socio-demographic characteristics, by means of a standardized self-administered questionnaire (n = 880). A descriptive analysis reported a high prevalence of occasional or frequent symptoms: 47.4% had symptoms of irritation, 35.5% fatigue, 40.4% headache and 27.6% nervousness or depression. Using logistic regression models, risk and protective factors were found for symptoms of irritation, medical consultation and hospitalization. Among the occupational exposure variables, marital status, length of time in the job, low level of protection with regard to the use of personal protective equipment, combined use of different pesticides and the application of the insecticide endosulfan, were associated with a higher frequency of reported symptoms and higher consultation rates and hospitalization.
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