Pesticide Exposure and Health in Horticultural Production: Identification of Determinants for Surveillance in Argentina

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Pesticides have been widely used for horticulture production in Argentina. The aim of this study was to assess the social, demographic and productive protective factors of pesticide exposure in the Green Belt of Cordoba (GBC), Argentina, and their health impacts on horticultural workers, for preventive purposes. METHODS: A population-based study was conducted in a representative sample of horticulturist in the GBC (n=137, 95% CI) (2013-2017). Pesticide exposure determinants were assessed thru social, demographic, productive and labor characteristics, including two indices of intensity (IEI) and cumulative exposure (CEI) developed by our research group. Health conditions were studied thru the presence of self-reported symptoms and marker diseases. For the analysis, two steps were performed: a) Multiple Correspondence Analyses (MCA) were achieved to identify exposure profiles; b) Logistic Regression Models (LRM) were fitted to estimate the association between the presence of symptoms and marker diseases with pesticides exposure determinants. RESULTS:The symptoms prevalence was 73.2% and 45% have did marker disease. MCA identified two different profiles regarding sociodemographic work features, occupational exposure level according to IEI and CEI, symptoms and diseases (74.6% of explained variation on first and second factors). LRM showed protective factors for the presence of symptoms: to used less than 10 pesticides (OR: 0.06; p 0.05), the correct use or personal protective equipment during handling pesticides procedures (OR: 0.07; p 0.05), while another model also showed that having a low CEI is a protective factor (OR = 0.15; p 0.02). The presence of marker diseases presented two protective factors: the lifetime uses of less than 10 different pesticides (OR: 0.03; p 0.05) and spraying pesticide less than 3 days per month. CONCLUSIONS:A high burden of symptoms and diseases was identified. The protective factors identified allow the implementation of surveillance programs with this population, however it is necessary to review the productive model. KEYWORDS: Occupational epidemiology, Pesticides, Exposures