Occupational exposure to pesticides in the month prior to the interview was characterized in number of days. Several forms of exposure were investigated in relation to the most recent contact with pesticides, such as applying herbicides or insecticides/fungicides, mixing/preparing mixture, cleaning equipment, washing contaminated clothing, having contact in transportation and storage, through wet clothing, reentering into the plantation without protection after application, and spilling on the body or on clothing. We also characterized the sum of the forms of pesticide exposure.
In order to gather information on what types of chemicals were used on the farms in the last 30 days, plastic cards were prepared with pictures of the main pesticides used in tobacco farming in the region, totaling 56 commercial formulations and more than 22 products (referred to as others). The date of most recent contact was also collected for each product reported. The chemical groups analyzed were organophosphorus compounds (organophosphates), neonicotinoids, pyrethroids, carbamates, benzoylurea, fipronil, clomazone, glyphosate, sulfentrazone, triazines, dithiocarbamates, metalaxyl, iprodione and copper compounds. The sum of the types of chemicals used was taken as an indicator of multi-chemical exposure.
The personal protective equipment (PPE) investigated were boots, masks and gloves to protect against chemicals, protective clothing, hat/headgear, characterizing the number of days they were used during work in the last 30 days. We also examined the sum of the PPE that each worker reported always using.
In order to gather information on what types of chemicals were used on the farms in the last 30 days, plastic cards were prepared with pictures of the main pesticides used in tobacco farming in the region, totaling 56 commercial formulations and more than 22 products (referred to as others). The date of most recent contact was also collected for each product reported. The chemical groups analyzed were organophosphorus compounds (organophosphates), neonicotinoids, pyrethroids, carbamates, benzoylurea, fipronil, clomazone, glyphosate, sulfentrazone, triazines, dithiocarbamates, metalaxyl, iprodione and copper compounds. The sum of the types of chemicals used was taken as an indicator of multi-chemical exposure.
The personal protective equipment (PPE) investigated were boots, masks and gloves to protect against chemicals, protective clothing, hat/headgear, characterizing the number of days they were used during work in the last 30 days. We also examined the sum of the PPE that each worker reported always using.
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