TY - JOUR PY - 2014// TI - Occupational exposure to pesticides, nicotine and minor psychiatric disorders among tobacco farmers in southern Brazil JO - Neurotoxicology A1 - Faria, Neice Muller Xavier A1 - Fassa, Anaclaudia Gastal A1 - Meucci, Rodrigo Dalke A1 - Fiori, Nadia Spada A1 - Miranda, Vanessa Iribarrem SP - 347 EP - 354 VL - 45 IS - N2 - INTRODUCTION: Exposure to pesticides has been associated with psychiatric problems among farm workers, although there is still controversy as to chemical types, intensity and forms of exposure that represent risk factors for neuropsychological problems. Furthermore, tobacco workers are exposed to dermal absorption of nicotine, although its effect on mental health has not yet been studied.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the prevalence of minor psychiatric disorders (MPD) among tobacco farmers and associated factors, paying special attention to pesticide and nicotine exposure.

METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study with a representative sample of tobacco growers, characterizing economic indicators of the farms, socio-demographic factors, lifestyle habits and occupational exposures. Multivariate analysis was performed using a hierarchical Poisson regression model.

RESULTS: A total of 2400 tobacco farmers were assessed and MPD prevalence was 12%. MPD was higher among women (PR 1.4), workers aged 40 or over, tenants/employees (PR 1.8) and those who reported having difficulty in paying debts (PR 2.0). Low socioeconomic status was inversely associated with MPD prevalence. Tasks involving dermal exposure to pesticides showed risk varying between 35% and 71%, whereas tobacco growers on farms using organophosphates had 50% more risk of MPD than those not exposed to this kind of pesticide. The number of pesticide poisoning and green tobacco sickness episodes showed linear association with MPD.

CONCLUSIONS: The study reinforces the evidence of the association between pesticide poisoning and mental health disorders. It also points to increased risk of MPD from low socioeconomic status, dermal pesticide exposure as well as from exposure to organophosphates. Furthermore, the study reveals intense nicotine exposure as a risk for tobacco farmers' mental health.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 0161-813X UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neuro.2014.05.002 ID - ref1 ER -