Occupational exposure and poisoning by chemical products in the Federal District

Abstract

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.