Occupational pesticide intoxications among farmers in Bolivia: a cross-sectional study

Erik Jørs, Rafael Cervantes Morant, Guido Condarco Aguilar, Omar Huici, Flemming Lander, Jesper Baelum, Flemming Konradsen, Erik Jørs, Rafael Cervantes Morant, Guido Condarco Aguilar, Omar Huici, Flemming Lander, Jesper Baelum, Flemming Konradsen

Abstract

Background: Pesticide use and its consequences are of concern in Bolivia due to an intensive and increasing use.

Methods: To assess the magnitude and reasons for occupational pesticide intoxication, a cross-sectional study with interviews and blood-tests was performed among 201 volunteer farmers from 48 villages in the temperate and subtropical valleys in the eastern part of the Andes Mountains in Bolivia. Of these 171 male farmers using pesticides in their agricultural production were used in the statistical analysis, including linear- and logistic regression analysis.

Results: This study documented a frequent use of the most toxic pesticides among farmers who have had almost no instructions in how to use pesticides and protect themselves against the dangers of intoxication, reflected in the hazardous practices used when handling pesticides. Symptoms of intoxications were common in connection with spraying operations. The risk of experiencing symptoms and the serum cholinesterase activity were influenced by whether or not organophosphates were used and the number of times sprayed. The experience of symptoms was moreover influenced by the hygienic and personal protective measures taken during spraying operations while this had no influence on the serum cholinesterase level.

Conclusion: The study showed that occupational pesticide intoxications were common among farmers and did depend on multiple factors. Pesticide use is probably one of the largest toxicological problems in Bolivia, and a coordinated action by authorities, society and international bodies is needed to limit the number of intoxications and the environmental pollution.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Symptoms experienced by farmers in connection with spraying pesticides within the last year (n = 128)

References

    1. Henao S, Arbelaez MP. Epidemiologic situation of acute pesticide poisoning in Central America. 1992–2000. Epidemiol Bull. 2002;23:5–9.
    1. Rozas ME, Santivañez T, Osorio LG. Catastro de Conflicto Ambiental por Plaguicidas: Bolivia-Perú-Chile. Observatorio Latinoamericano de Conflictos Ambientales. 1999. ISBN 956-7958-01-7.
    1. Issa MN, Rojas VC, Aguilar GC. Ministerio de Previsión Social y Salud Publica. Bolivia; 1990. Investigacion sobre intoxicacion de trabajadores agricolas por plaguicidas.
    1. Rodriguez MWP. Trabajo de Tesis. Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, Facultad de Ciencias Puras y Naturales. La Paz, Bolivia; 2000. Uso y manejo de plaguicidas y el efecto del viento en la contaminación de bordes en areas de cultivo del Alto Beni.
    1. Santivañez TC. Terres de Hombres – Alemania. Cochabamba, Bolivia; 2003. Abriendo el Sendero de una Floricultura Social y Ambientalmente Sostenible.
    1. Andersen HR, Nielsen JB. Exposure to pesticides among female greenhouse workers (Publication in Danish) Arbejdsmiljørådets Service Center. 2001. ISBN 87-90879-41-4.
    1. International Programme on Chemical Safety The WHO recommended classification of pesticides by hazard and Guidelines to Classification 2000–2002. 2003. WHO/PCS/01.5. [cited 9 June 2004]
    1. Keifer M, McConnell R, Pacheco AF, Daniel W, Rosenstock L. Estimating Underreported Pesticide Poisonings in Nicaragua. Am J Ind Med. 1996;30:195–201. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1097-0274(199608)30:2<195::AID-AJIM10>;2-S.
    1. The Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade. FAO/UNEP, Rome/Geneva; 1998. [cited 9 June 2004]
    1. The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. UNEP, Geneva; 2001. [cited 9 June 2004]
    1. Adopted by the Hundred and Twenty-third Session of the FAO Council in November 2002. Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, Rome; 2002. International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides.
    1. FAO Legally binding convention to control trade in hazardous chemicals adopted in Rotterdam. News Release, Food & Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations. 1998. 11 september 1998. [cited 9 June 2004]
    1. SENASAG . MAGDR. La Paz, Bolivia; Registro Oficial de Plaguicidas, Fertilizantes y Sustancias Afines de Uso Agricola Registrados en Bolivia al 31. de Diciembre de 2000.
    1. Program de Colaboración para la Eliminación de Plaguicides Caducados . FAO. La Paz, mayo; 2003. Estudio de Plaguicidas Obsoletos en Bolivia.
    1. Jors E. Acute pesticide poisonings among small-scale farmers in La Paz county, Bolivia. Masterthesis, University of Copenhagen. 2004.
    1. Eddleston M, Karalliedde L, Buckley N, et al. Pesticide poisoning in the developing world – a minimum pesticide list. The Lancet. 2002;360:1163–67. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(02)11204-9.
    1. Konradsen F, van der Hoek W, Cole DC, et al. Reducing acute poisonings in developing countries – options for restricting the availability of pesticides. Toxicology. 2003;192:249–61. doi: 10.1016/S0300-483X(03)00339-1.
    1. Roberts D, Karunarathna A, Buckley N, et al. Influence of pesticide regulation on acute poisoning deaths in Sri Lanka. Bulletin of WHO. 2003;81:789–98.
    1. Hruska AJ, Corriols M. The Impact of training in Integrated Pest Management Among Nicaraguan Maize Farmers: Increased Net Returns and Reduced Health Risk. Int J Occup Environ Health. 2002;8:191–200.
    1. International Centre for Pesticide Safety The consequences of reducing the use of pesticides have now been clarified. Pesticide Safety News. 1999;2 1 and 7.
    1. Lakew K, Mekonnen Y. Use of pesticides and causal factors of poisoning, a study among agricultural workers in Ethiopia. Afr newsletter on Occup Health and Safety. 1997;7:68–70.
    1. Kishi M, et al. Relationship of pesticide spraying to signs and symptoms in Indonesian farmers. Scan J Work Environ Health. 1995;43:124–33.
    1. Gomes J, et al. The influence of personal protection, environmental hygiene and exposure to pesticides on the health of immigrant farm workers in a desert country. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 1999;72:40–45. doi: 10.1007/s004200050332.
    1. Maroni M, Colosio C, Fait A, Vinsentin S. Occupational exposure to pesticide in the developing world: health effects and strategies. Asian-Pacific Newsletter. 2000;6:68–71.
    1. Murray DL, Taylor PL. Challenging the International Pesticide Industry's Hazard Reduction Strategy. International Institute for Environment and Development. 2001. Gatekeeper Series no. 103.
    1. Nordin RB, Araki S, Sato H, et al. Effects of safety behaviors with pesticide use on occurrence of acute symptoms in male and female tobacco-growing Malaysian farmers. Ind Health. 2002;40:182–90.
    1. Lidwien AMS, van-Wendel-de-Joode , Heederik D, et al. Neurological symptoms among Sri Lankan farmers occupationally exposed to acetylcholineesterase-inhibiting insecticides. Am J Indust Med. 2003;44:254–64. doi: 10.1002/ajim.10271.

Source: PubMed

Sponsorer og samarbeidspartnere

Medisinsk tilstand

Legemiddelintervensjoner

3
Abonnere