Effects of pesticides on rural workers: haematological parameters and symptomalogical reports

This study analysed the clinical symptoms and haematological changes of a rural population in Concei ção do Castelo, Espirito Santo, Brazil. For evaluation of symptomatology exposure to pesticides, 142 rural workers were interviewed. Of these, 22 workers were selected for haematological tests randomly as to evaluate haematological changes during the period of exposure to pesticides. Haematologica l analyses showed that erythrocytes, haemoglobin, haematocrit, mean corpuscular (VCM) volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) are in accordance with the reference intervals in haematology. Variations in the concentrations of rods and neutrophils indicates that exposure to pesticides increases the amount of those cells. Haematological disorders in rural workers exposed to pesticides can be correlated with reported symptoms. The results described in this study are relevant to the health public and reinforce the concern about the indiscriminat e use of pesticides.Resumo A exposi ção a pesticidas pela população rural está crescendo em todo o mundo. Os pesticidas podem induzir o desenvolvimento de diferentes doenças, como o cancer e as do sistema nervoso central. Este estudo analisou os sintomas clínicos e alterações hematológicas de uma população rural em Conceiç ão do Castelo, Espírito Santo, Brasil. Para a avaliação da exposição a pesticidas e sintomatologias, 142 trabalhadores rurais foram entrevistados. Destes...
Source: Ciencia e Saude Coletiva - Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research