USE AND MANAGEMENT OF PESTICIDES IN AGRICULTURAL AREAS OF THE STATE OF GUERRERO, MEXICO

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.317452429014

• Palavras-chave: plaguicidas, intoxicaciones agudas, uso y manejo, agricultores expuestos.

• Keywords: pesticides, acute poisonings, use and management, exposed farmers.

• Abstract:

  Pesticides are used to control pests and diseases in agricultural fields, however, these agrochemicals can cause acute and chronic poisoning in farmers. An observational, cross-sectional study was carried out on farmers, with the objective of knowing the use and management of pesticides in four agricultural areas of the State of Guerrero: Huitziltepec, Chichihualco, Quechultenango and La Ceniza and estimating the prevalence of acute poisonings in this population. Materials and methods: a questionnaire of 35 questions related to the use and management of agrochemicals was applied to 407 farmers from the four areas. Results: Average age 46.0±16.29 years, 32.6% are illiterate, 89.6% did not use personal protective equipment. The highest prevalence of acute poisoning (61.64%) was recorded in the community of La Ceniza. The pesticides that caused acute poisoning were: paraquat, furadan, esteron counter, tamaron, faena and lannate. The most frequent symptoms reported by farmers were: headache, nausea/vomiting, burning skin, blurred vision and dizziness. Conclusions: farmers used and handled agrochemicals inappropriately. It is recommended to train farmers in the proper use and management of agrochemicals, as well as in the use of alternative methods to control agricultural diseases and pests.