Factores de riesgo de exposición durante el manejo y uso de plaguicidas en fumigadores urbanos

Abstract

Pesticides are compounds widely used for pest control in different sectors; urban sprayers represent one of the populations with higher risk of occupational exposure to these xenobiotics. The aim of this work was to evaluate the practices of use and handling of pesticides, which involve a risk of exposure in a population of urban sprayers from Nayarit, Mexico. A cross-sectional, descriptive, analytical study was conducted in workers engaged in fumigation of houses, schools and other areas. According to the gathered information from participants, 31.3 % carries out activities of abatization, 63.2 % mixes and applies pesticides, and 5.5 % performes other activities related with pesticide. Over 85 % does not use proper personal protective equipment. Organophosphorus (OP), followed by pyrethroids and carbamates, were mainly used by participants. About 11.1 % of sprayers had been intoxicated and 31 % did not have knowledge on whether they have manifested poisoning. Further, 33.3 % of the population does not consider pesticide spraying activity as a hazardous occupation, and 46.9 % did not received any training in pesticide management. The data obtained in this study suggest a significant risk of exposure to pesticides in the study population, due to the lack of knowledge regarding adequate safety measures or lack of the necessary personal protective equipment, adverse weather conditions while working, the discomfort that represents the use of the equipment, and/or a permanent lack of training on the proper use and handling of pesticides.