Profile of intoxication of farmers by agrochemicals in Alagoas / Perfil de intoxicação dos agricultores por agrotóxicos em Alagoas

• Main Authors: Jaqueline Mizael Melo Maia, Jerônimo Leandro Lima, Thiago José Matos Rocha, Saskya Araújo Fonseca, Kristiana Cerqueira Mousinho, Aldenir Feitosa dos Santos
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidade Estadual de Alagoas 2018-09-01
• Series: Diversitas Journal
• Subjects: Agrochemicals; Smoke; Alagoas
• Online Access: http://periodicos.ifal.edu.br/diversitas_journal/article/view/626

In Brazil, the consumption of agrochemicals has grown considerably in recent decades, making the country one of the world leaders. The main means of absorption of the pesticide in humans and through the skin is the lack of protection or incorrect use of personal protective equipment. Farmers aim to increase productivity, leaving health in the background, in some cases because of lack of knowledge. Thus, this study aimed to verify the reported pesticides that cause intoxication in the State of Alagoas, comparing with the most commonly used agrochemicals in Brazil. A retrospective study was carried out through secondary data composed of information available in the records of the Directorate of Surveillance in Environmental Health of the Alagoas Health Department (DIVISAM/AL) and of the Notification of Injury Information System (SINAN). The variables collected were: age, sex of the individual, municipality, schooling, place of exposure, pesticides cited in the records of notifications. During the study period, 248 notifications were reported for the use of agrochemicals in the State of Alagoas, which was represented by agricultural pesticides (74.6%). It has also been found that exposure occurs during spraying mainly to the class of herbicides, and that contamination occurs mainly in the working environment. The results found evidence the need for new practices by farmers, managers and the tobacco industry.