Knowledge and Practices of safety use of Pesticides among Farm workers

Abstract

The aim of the investigation consists on describing the toxic impact of pesticides, as well as analyzing farmers' awareness and knowledge about their uses and risks by conducting a discourse analysis and community intervention in Metztitlán Hidalgo, Mexico. A qualitative intervention study was conducted with a phenomenological-ethno methodological pragmatic design through the analysis of the discourse of 4 people, where three of them had been intoxicated by pesticides, as well as one vendor of these products. In three phases, a contextual tour was performed. Photographs of the agricultural context were taken, especially when the pesticides were being applied; depth interviews were applied, and finally categories were structured in order to conduct the analysis of people speech. Exclusive irrigated crops were observed. Utilizing water from River, the applicators mix the pesticides in a plastic barrel and then application tanks are filled. Their hands are even used to verify the filling. They do not have equipment to provide them with the minimal protection for the managing and application of the pesticides. The empty containers thrown on the ground indicate the type of pesticides used by farmers. The people intoxicated have required hospitalization and they made reference to some deaths due to the exposition to these products. The farmers-applicators of pesticides are not aware of the risks to which they are exposed to. This is correlated with the low level of pupillage that farmers mentioned to have, as well as with the lack of accessibility to buy equipment for personal security.