Risk perception, attitudes and practices on pesticide use among farmers of a city in Midwestern Brazil

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a percepção de risco, práticas e atitudes no uso de agrotóxicos por agricultores. PROCEDIMENTOS METODOLÓGICOS: Estudo qualitativo realizado em Culturama, Mato Grosso do Sul, em fevereiro de 2005. Sete grupos focais (N=40), com cinco a sete integrantes cada, discutiram questões relacionadas a agrotóxicos, incluindo a apresentação da embalagem de um inseticida para subsidiar discussão sobre rótulos e bulas. As falas foram gravadas, transcritas e analisadas seguindo o método de análise do discurso. ANÁLISE DOS RESULTADOS: Os agricultores se mostraram cientes dos riscos de exposição direta e indireta ao utilizar agrotóxicos; muitos se mostraram preocupados com a contaminação potencial do meio ambiente. As informações que os agricultores tinham sobre agrotóxicos eram restritas principalmente à dosagem do produto, cuja principal fonte eram os revendedores. Os agricultores reclamaram do tamanho das letras e da linguagem técnica do rótulo e da bula, mas muitos souberam interpretar os pictogramas e o código de cor de toxicidade presentes neles. CONCLUSÕES: Os agricultores nem sempre transformam sua percepção de risco e suas experiências pessoais em atitudes e práticas mais seguras no uso de agrotóxicos, como o uso adequado de equipamentos de proteção individual. Eles sentem-se indefesos diante das situações de risco, principalmente devido aos fatores ambientais não controláveis e à vulnerabilidade econômica. São essenciais programas governamentais de extensão agrícola que enfatizem técnicas alternativas de manejo de pragas e práticas seguras de uso de agrotóxicos, direcionados a essa população. _______________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACTOBJECTIVE: To evaluate risk perception, practices and attitudes on pesticide use in a rural population. METHODOLOGICAL PROCEDURES: Qualitative study conducted in Midwestern Brazil in February 2005. Seven focal groups (N=40), comprising five to seven individuals each, discussed pesticide-related issues and included the presentation of a product container to support the discussion on labels. The discussions were tape recorded, transcribed and analyzed following the method for discourse analysis. ANALYSIS OF RESULTS: The farmers studied were aware of the risks resulting from direct and indirect exposure to pesticides and many were concerned about potential environmental contamination. Interviewee's information on pesticides was limited to product dosage and was mostly conveyed by product retailers. They complained about the small print and technical language used in product labels but many were able to understand the pictograms and color toxicity codes. CONCLUSIONS: The farmers studied not always converted their risk perception and personal experiences into safer practices for pesticide use such as use of personal protective devices. They feel hopeless to face risky situations, mainly because of unmanageable environmental factors and their vulnerable financial condition. This community needs to be involved in targeted governmental extension programs that stress alternative pest managements and safe use of pesticides

Exposición e intoxicación ocupacional a productos químicos en el Distrito Federal

Objetivo: descrever casos de exposição ocupacional a produtos químicos. Método: estudo retrospectivo descritivo utilizando dados do prontuário de 382 trabalhadores atendidos no Ambulatório de Toxicologia Ocupacional do Centro de Referência em Saúde do Trabalhador do Distrito Federal, entre 2009 e 2013. Resultados: 66,7% eram homens, 55,2% tinham até 9 anos de atividade e 81% não usavam equipamento de proteção individual (EPI). Quase 60% eram agricultores e agentes de vigilância ambiental, expostos a agrotóxicos (63%), dos quais 40% inseticidas organofosforados. A maioria (68%) apresentou atividade de butirilcolinesterase diminuída, principalmente agricultores (85,9%); 57,3% dos trabalhadores foram considerados intoxicados, 61,6% por agrotóxicos e 37,9% por produtos químicos industriais, e afastados do trabalho por pelo menos 10 dias. Conclusão: O perfil dos trabalhadores atendidos foi de homens, predominantemente de 30 a 39 anos, que não utilizavam EPI, indicando a necessidade de ações de prevenção junto a essa população para evitar a ocorrência de intoxicações.Objective: to describe case of occupational exposure to chemical products. Method: descriptive retrospective study using record data of 382 workers assisted in the Outpatient Care for Occupational Toxicology of the Reference Center of Workers' Health of the Federal District, between 2009 and 2013. Results: From the total, 66.7% were men, 55.2% had up to 9 years of activity and 81% did not use personal protective equipment (PPE). Nearly 60% were farmers and environmental surveillance agents, exposed to pesticides (63%), of which 40% were organophosphorus insecticides. The majority (68%) presented butyrylcholinesterase activity decreased, mostly farmers (85.9%); 57.3% of workers were considered poisoned - 61.6% by pesticides and 37.9% by industrial chemicals -, and away from work for at least 10 days. Conclusion: The profile was male workers, from 30 to 39 years, which not used PPE, indicating the need for prevention together with them to prevent poisonings.Objetivo: describir casos de exposición ocupacional a productos químicos. Método: estudio retrospectivo descriptivo utilizando datos del prontuario de 382 trabajadores atendidos en el Ambulatorio de Toxicología Ocupacional del Centro de Referencia en Salud del Trabajador del Distrito Federal entre 2009 y 2013. Resultados: El 66,7% eran hombres, el 55,2% tenía hasta 9 años de actividad y el 81% no usaba el equipo de protección individual (EPI). Casi el 60% eran agricultores y agentes de vigilancia ambiental, expuestos a agrotóxicos (63%), de los cuales 40% insecticidas organofosforados. La mayoría (68%) presentó actividad de butirilcolinesterasa disminuida, principalmente agricultores (85,9%); el 57,3% de los trabajadores fueron considerados intoxicados, 61,6% por agrotóxicos y 37,9% por productos químicos industriales, y alejados del trabajo por lo menos 10 días. Conclusión: El perfil de los trabajadores atendidos fue de hombres, predominantemente de 30 a 39 años, que no utilizaban el EPI, indicando la necesidad de acciones de prevención junto a esa población para evitar la ocurrencia de intoxicaciones

Chemical dietary exposure and the risks to human health

ABSTRACTHumans are exposed to a variety of chemicals from the consumption of food, including undesirable compounds such as pesticides and mycotoxins. Chemical human risk assessment is a process intended to estimate the risk to a given population from the exposure to a chemical (or to a chemical group having the same mechanism of action). The process consists of four steps, namely hazard identification, hazard characterization, exposure assessment and risk characterization. Chemical dietary risk assessment is an essential procedure to establish safe food standards. In this review the tools and data sources currently used in the risk assessment process will be discussed

Agroquímicos para controle de pragas no Brasil: análise crítica do uso do termo agrotóxico como ferramenta de comunicação de risco

Devido ao seu potencial de causar danos à saúde e ao meio ambiente, os agroquímicos utilizados para o controle de pragas estão entre as substâncias mais controversas e reguladas no mundo. No Brasil, a polêmica começa pelo nome que se dá a esses produtos, incluindo a denominação agrotóxicos prevista na Lei nº 7.802, de 11 de julho de 1989, de estrutura semântica pouco ortodoxa e só adotada no país. O presente texto aborda o contexto histórico nacional que levou à incorporação do termo na Lei e apresenta dados que indicam não ter havido sinais de que esta medida tenha exercido influência efetiva sobre as práticas de segurança adotadas pelos agricultores, as intoxicações e tampouco impactou na comercialização desses produtos, apesar de terem sido estes os objetivos iniciais das autoridades. Discute, ainda, as terminologias adotadas em outros países para denominá-los, à luz dos fatores que verdadeiramente impactam na redução dos riscos e do uso dessas substâncias. Os autores concluíram que o termo agrotóxico não possui os atributos técnicos nem semânticos necessários para uma adoção legal, e o uso de neologismos, seja com conotações negativas ou positivas, não é apropriado para comunicar o risco destas substâncias aos trabalhadores e à população geral, de forma honesta, responsável e tecnicamente embasada

Aflatoxins and ochratoxin A in food and the risks to human health

OBJETIVOS: A presença de micotoxinas em alimentos tem sido correlacionada a várias patologias humanas, e as autoridades de saúde no mundo todo têm implementado ações para diminuir a ingestão desses compostos pela dieta. Realizou-se pesquisa para analisar os níveis de aflatoxinas e ocratoxina A de alimentos para consumo e avaliar o potencial de risco da exposição humana a essas micotoxinas. MÉTODOS: Foram analisadas 366 amostras de alimentos consumidos no Distrito Federal, no período de julho de 1998 a dezembro de 2001, como amendoim e derivados, castanhas, milho, produtos de trigo e/ou aveia, arroz e feijão. As amostras foram processadas, e as micotoxinas extraídas, detectadas e quantificadas por fluorescência após separação em cromatografia camada delgada. RESULTADOS: Foram detectadas aflatoxinas em 19,6% das amostras, em amendoim cru e derivados, milho de pipoca, milho em grão e castanha-do-pará (>2 mg/kg). Amendoim e derivados apresentaram maior incidência de contaminação por aflatoxinas (34,7%) com amostras contendo até 1.280 mg/kg de AFB1+AFG1 e 1.706 mg/kg de aflatoxinas totais. Das amostras positivas, AFB1 estava presente em 98,5%, AFB2 em 93%, AFG1 em 66,7% e AFG2 em 65,4%. A ocratoxina A não foi detectada (<25 mg/kg) em nenhuma amostra analisada.OBJECTIVES: The presence of mycotoxins in food has been associated with several human diseases, and health authorities have taken actions to decrease the ingestion of these compounds in the diet. A study was carried out to assess aflatoxins and ochratoxin A concentrations found in food, and to evaluate the potential risk to human health resulting from mycotoxin exposure. METHODS: Between July 1998 to December 2001, 366 food samples were analyzed, including peanuts and its products, nuts, maize, oat and/or wheat products, rice and beans. Samples were processed and the extracted mycotoxins were detected and separated using thin layer chromatography, and then quantified with fluorescence. RESULTS: Aflatoxins were detected in 19.6% of the samples: raw peanuts and its products, pop corn, maize and Brazilian nuts (>2mg/kg). Peanuts and its products showed the highest levels of aflatoxin contamination (34.7%) with up to 1280 mg/kg of AFB1+AFG1 and 1706 mg/kg of total aflatoxins. Of the positive samples, AFB1 was detected in 98.5%, AFB2 in 93%, AFG1 in 66.7%, and AFG2 in 65.4%. Ochratoxin A was not detected (<25 mg/kg) in any sample analyzed. CONCLUSION: It was found that contamination levels mainly seen in peanuts and its products exceed Brazilian regulated standards, and they can be a potential risk to regular consumers of these products. Food producers' awareness allied to monitoring programs is essential to reduce human exposure to these compounds and prevent ensuing chronic diseases

Chronic dietary risk assessment for pesticide residues in Brazilian food

Objetivo: Avaliar o risco crônico da ingestão de pesticidas pela dieta, em compostos registrados no Brasil para uso agrícola até 1999. Métodos: Foi calculada a Ingestão Diária Máxima Teórica (IDMT) para cada pesticida, utilizando limites máximos de resíduos estabelecidos pela legislação brasileira e dados de consumo alimentar. A caracterização do risco foi feita comparando-se a IDMT com as doses diárias aceitáveis (IDA) de vários países e do Codex Alimentarius. Resultados: A IDTM ultrapassou a IDA (%IDA>100) em pelo menos uma região metropolitana brasileira para 23 pesticidas. Dezesseis compostos com maior %IDA são inseticidas organofosforados, sendo o paration metílico o composto cuja ingestão mais excedeu o parâmetro toxicológico (%IDAN=9.300). O arroz, o feijão, as frutas cítricas e o tomate foram os alimentos que mais contribuíram para a ingestão. Dos compostos que apresentaram maior risco, apenas 6 foram registrados de acordo com o Decreto 98.816/90, que dispõe sobre o uso de pesticidas no País. Conclusões: Os compostos identificados como sendo de potencial risco de exposição crônica para a população brasileira, e os alimentos que mais contribuíram para a sua ingestão, devem ser priorizados pelos órgãos de saúde em programas de monitoramento de resíduos de pesticidas. Adicionalmente, dados sobre resíduos em alimentos prontos para o consumo, fatores de processamento e dados sobre consumo alimentar devem ser gerados para possibilitar o refinamento do estudo.Objective: To conduct a chronic dietary risk assessment of the pesticides registered in Brazilup until 1999. Methods: The Theoretical Maximum Daily Intake (TMDI) for each pesticide was calculated using the Brazilian maximum residue limits and food consumption data from IBGE, the Brazilian Statistical Institute. The risk characterization was done comparing the TMDI with the acceptable daily intakes (ADI) from other countries and from the Codex Alimentarius. Results: The TMDI was higher than the ADI (%ADI>100) at least in one Brazilian metropolitan region for 23 pesticides. Sixteen compounds are organophosphate insecticides, with methyl parathion having the TMDI exceeding the most toxicological parameter (%ADIN=9,300). Rice, beans, citrus and tomato were the commodities which most contributed to the ingestion. From the compounds under higher risk, only 6 were registered according to the Law 98.816/90, which concerns the use of pesticides in the country. Conclusions: The compounds identified in the study as presenting a potential health concern to the Brazilian consumers, and the commodities which most contributed to the ingestion, should be prioritized by the government in pesticide residue monitoring programs and in the re-registration process. In addition, residue data in food as consumed, processing factors and appropriate consumption data should be generated to allow further studies

Environmental risk assessment of aquatic systems affected by pesticide use

Ecological risk assessment is a process evaluating the likelihood that adverse ecological effects may occur or are occurring as a result of exposure to one or more substances. Relevant information needed to predict risks from pesticides includes their physical chemical properties, mobility in soil, persistence in the environment, and bioaccumulation and toxicity in relevant organisms. Although currently a requirement for pesticide registration in Brazil, this process is not yet fully implemented in the country. This review aims to outline the principles of environmental risk assessment for pesticides, focusing on aquatic organisms, and to discuss the studies and efforts conducted in Brazil in this area

Percepção de risco, atitudes e práticas no uso de agrotóxicos entre agricultores de Culturama, MS

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate risk perception, practices and attitudes on pesticide use in a rural population. METHODOLOGICAL PROCEDURES: Qualitative study conducted in Midwestern Brazil in February 2005. Seven focal groups (N=40), comprising five to seven individuals each, discussed pesticide-related issues and included the presentation of a product container to support the discussion on labels. The discussions were tape recorded, transcribed and analyzed following the method for discourse analysis. ANALYSIS OF RESULTS: The farmers studied were aware of the risks resulting from direct and indirect exposure to pesticides and many were concerned about potential environmental contamination. Interviewee's information on pesticides was limited to product dosage and was mostly conveyed by product retailers. They complained about the small print and technical language used in product labels but many were able to understand the pictograms and color toxicity codes. CONCLUSIONS: The farmers studied not always converted their risk perception and personal experiences into safer practices for pesticide use such as use of personal protective devices. They feel hopeless to face risky situations, mainly because of unmanageable environmental factors and their vulnerable financial condition. This community needs to be involved in targeted governmental extension programs that stress alternative pest managements and safe use of pesticides.OBJETIVO: Avaliar a percepção de risco, práticas e atitudes no uso de agrotóxicos por agricultores. PROCEDIMENTOS METODOLÓGICOS: Estudo qualitativo realizado em Culturama, Mato Grosso do Sul, em fevereiro de 2005. Sete grupos focais (N=40), com cinco a sete integrantes cada, discutiram questões relacionadas a agrotóxicos, incluindo a apresentação da embalagem de um inseticida para subsidiar discussão sobre rótulos e bulas. As falas foram gravadas, transcritas e analisadas seguindo o método de análise do discurso. ANÁLISE DOS RESULTADOS: Os agricultores se mostraram cientes dos riscos de exposição direta e indireta ao utilizar agrotóxicos; muitos se mostraram preocupados com a contaminação potencial do meio ambiente. As informações que os agricultores tinham sobre agrotóxicos eram restritas principalmente à dosagem do produto, cuja principal fonte eram os revendedores. Os agricultores reclamaram do tamanho das letras e da linguagem técnica do rótulo e da bula, mas muitos souberam interpretar os pictogramas e o código de cor de toxicidade presentes neles. CONCLUSÕES: Os agricultores nem sempre transformam sua percepção de risco e suas experiências pessoais em atitudes e práticas mais seguras no uso de agrotóxicos, como o uso adequado de equipamentos de proteção individual. Eles sentem-se indefesos diante das situações de risco, principalmente devido aos fatores ambientais não controláveis e à vulnerabilidade econômica. São essenciais programas governamentais de extensão agrícola que enfatizem técnicas alternativas de manejo de pragas e práticas seguras de uso de agrotóxicos, direcionados a essa população

Access to medicines in Brazil based on monetary and non-monetary acquisition data obtained from the 2008/2009 Household Budget Survey

OBJECTIVE To investigate the access to medicines by Brazilian families by monetary and non-monetary acquisition data. METHODS This is a cross-sectional study based on data obtained from the 2008/2009 Brazilian Household Budget Survey. The units of assessment were households that participated in the survey and the data on the acquisition of medicines over the 30 days prior to the interviews. The medicines were classified according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification system. RESULTS Acquisition of medicines was reported by 82.9% of Brazilian households, with 2.38 medicines/household, and 0.72 medicine/individual. In the South and Southeast regions, the average acquisition was slightly greater than the national average (2.53 and 2.49, respectively). In 22.3% of Brazilian households, it was reported that a medicine was not acquired due to lack of financial resources, mainly in the North and Northeastern regions, and in rural areas. Approximately 15.0% of medicines were obtained with no costs, 90.1% of them by the Brazilian Unified Health System. The medicines most acquired were those acting on the nervous system (28.8% of Brazilian households), on the cardiovascular system (15.7%), on the digestive tract and metabolism (14.3%), and on the respiratory system (12.1%). Overall, the quantity of medicines acquired was greater in higher socioeconomic classes of the population, with the exception of antiparasitic products, most likely because of the precarious sanitary conditions faced by less privileged social classes. CONCLUSIONS The acquisition of medicines is a common practice in Brazil, being reported by over 80.0% of the Brazilian households in 2008/2009. Although the data obtained from the Brazilian Household Budget Survey have some limitations, the information obtained in this study can help health authorities to design national and regional policies to guarantee access to these products while promoting their rational use

Access to medicines in Brazil based on monetary and non-monetary acquisition data obtained from the 2008/2009 Household Budget Survey

Objective: to investigate the access to medicines by Brazilian families by monetary and non-monetary acquisition data. Methods: this is a cross-sectional study based on data obtained from the 2008/2009 Brazilian Household Budget Survey. The units of assessment were households that participated in the survey and the data on the acquisition of medicines over the 30 days prior to the interviews. The medicines were classified according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification system. Results: acquisition of medicines was reported by 82.9% of Brazilian households, with 2.38 medicines/household, and 0.72 medicine/individual. In the South and Southeast regions, the average acquisition was slightly greater than the national average (2.53 and 2.49, respectively). In 22.3% of Brazilian households, it was reported that a medicine was not acquired due to lack of financial resources, mainly in the North and Northeastern regions, and in rural areas. Approximately 15.0% of medicines were obtained with no costs, 90.1% of them by the Brazilian Unified Health System. The medicines most acquired were those acting on the nervous system (28.8% of Brazilian households), on the cardiovascular system (15.7%), on the digestive tract and metabolism (14.3%), and on the respiratory system (12.1%). Overall, the quantity of medicines acquired was greater in higher socioeconomic classes of the population, with the exception of antiparasitic products, most likely because of the precarious sanitary conditions faced by less privileged social classes. Conclusions: the acquisition of medicines is a common practice in Brazil, being reported by over 80.0% of the Brazilian households in 2008/2009. Although the data obtained from the Brazilian Household Budget Survey have some limitations, the information obtained in this study can help health authorities to design national and regional policies to guarantee access to these products while promoting their rational use