Effect of pesticides on cognitive and motor performance in habitants of rural areas ofTolima

Abstract

Organophosphate pesticides can cause cognitive impairment. However, the farmer uses different pesticides in all phases of the same crop. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of serial pesticides on cognitive and motor performance in samples of exposed, indirectly exposed, and unexposed people. In the exploratory study with a cross-sectional design, a total of 135 small farmers from the informal sector participated. Mini-Mental, Trail Making, Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure, Digit Retention, Hopkins Verbal Learning and the Grooved Pegboard tests were administered. The results show that the highest serial exposure occurs with Glyphosate, Lorsban, Furadan and Paraquat. The group with direct exposure to pesticides presented a lower performance in working memory, explicit verbal memory, constructive praxis and fine motor control of the right hand, than the indirectly exposed group and the unexposed group. In conclusion, direct and serial exposure to pesticides generates neuropsychological and motor impairment in informal sector farmers, it is recommended the development of public politics that promote healthy and safe practices, to minimize the risks due to the use of these substances