Frederico Peres

Avaliação integrada do impacto do uso de agrotóxicos sobre a saúde humana em uma comunidade agrícola de Nova Friburgo, RJ

O impacto do uso de agrotoxicos sobre a saude humana e um problema que tem merecido atencao da comunidade cientifica em todo o mundo, sobretudo nos paises em desenvolvimento. O consumo de agrotoxicos na regiao sudeste do Brasil esta estimado em 12kg de agrotoxico/trabalhador/ano. Em algumas areas agricolas do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, como na regiao da Microbacia do Corrego de Sao Lourenco, Nova Friburgo, o consumo de agrotoxico foi estimado em 56kg de agrotoxico/trabalhador/ano. Elevados niveis de contaminacao humana e ambiental foram encontrados nesta regiao, como decorrencia do uso extensivo destes agentes quimicos. A avaliacao do impacto sobre a saude humana implica o conhecimento e a visualizacao da importância/magnitude relativa de cada uma das vias de contaminacao. Inumeros fatores, que, em geral, encontram-se inter-relacionados, contribuem para a situacao encontrada na Microbacia do Corrego de Sao Lourenco e a forma mais adequada de se avaliar toda a dimensao deste problema e o uso de uma abordagem integrada.

Comunicação relacionada ao uso de agrotóxicos em região agrícola do Estado do Rio de Janeiro

OBJECTIVE: To assess communications aspects related to pesticide use in a rural area of the Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. METHODS: The study was carried out in the area of Sao Lourenco stream. It was based on methodological triangulation comprising: semi-structured interviews and observation of a local population sample (about 600 inhabitants); structured questionnaire to collect data on the local community; and records of lectures given by agronomic engineers, pesticides traders and other public service professionals. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: This study pointed out to the historical misinformation on pesticides in rural areas; the emphasis on technical language in educational and training activities available which constitutes a barrier for rural workers knowledge acquisition and empowerment; and the industry/commerces pressure to legitimate pesticide trading, reinforcing the existing communication process, resulting in unfavorable inclusion of the rural worker into a broader market economy.OBJECTIVE To assess communications aspects related to pesticide use in a rural area of the Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. METHODS The study was carried out in the area of São Lourenço stream. It was based on methodological triangulation comprising: semi-structured interviews and observation of a local population sample (about 600 inhabitants); structured questionnaire to collect data on the local community; and records of lectures given by argonomic engineers, pesticides traders and other public service professionals. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION This study pointed out to the historical misinformation on pesticides in rural areas; the emphasis on technical language in educational and training activities available which constitutes a barrier for rural workers knowledge acquisition and empowerment; and the industry/commerces pressure to legitimate pesticide trading, reinforcing the existing communication process, resulting in unfavorable inclusion of the rural worker into a broader market economy.

Food additive intake and health effects: public health challenges in Brazil

This study uses a systematic literature review to contextualize the risks associated with food additive intake. Studies comparing food additive intake and cancer showed that adverse health effects appeared when Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) was exceeded. The review also detected a lack of studies on attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder. There were more studies on non-specific hypersensitivity, highlighting such clinical manifestations as rhinitis, urticaria, and angioedema, all associated with food additives, particularly artificial colorants. Children are a vulnerable group as potential consumers of food additives, particularly artificial colorants. Studies on food additive intake should provide the basis for effective food and nutritional surveillance strategies, aiming to promote healthy eating habits.

Desafios ao estudo da contaminação humana e ambiental por agrotóxicos

O impacto do uso de agrotoxicos sobre a saude humana e um problema que tem merecido atencao da comunidade cientifica em todo o mundo, sobretudo nos paises em desenvolvimento. Sua avaliacao demanda o conhecimento e a visualizacao da importância/magnitude relativa de cada uma das vias de contaminacao. Inumeros fatores, tais como as dificuldades metodologicas relacionadas com o monitoramento da exposicao ocupacional aos agrotoxicos, as elevadas taxas de subnotificacao de casos, a nao-consideracao de determinantes sociais e economicos na avaliacao de riscos relacionados a estes agentes quimicos e a influencia da pressao da industria produtora de agrotoxicos no perfil do consumo destes agentes no meio rural brasileiro. No presente trabalho discute-se a importância destes fatores como determinantes da situacao de saude do homem do campo, a partir dos resultados de pesquisas de campo realizadas em regioes agricolas do Estado do Rio de Janeiro.

Risk Perception and Communication Regarding Pesticide Use in Rural Work: A Case Study in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil

Abstract In an agricultural region of Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, rapid assessment procedures were used for riskperception studies based on methodologic triangulation that included semi-structured interviews, participatory observations, and focus groups. Data were qualitatively categorized. Womens risk perception was prioritized, as they did not recognize some risks they were exposed to during work activities. To reach women likely to be exposed to pesticides, a photographic soap opera (fotonovela) was constructed in collaboration with rural workers, using community-based participatory research methods. Contents of the riskcommunication strategies included the harmful effects of pesticides. Results showed that the inclusion of risk-perception studies in the development of educative and risk-communication campaigns is very important, bridging research to action.

Contaminação de águas superficiais e de chuva por agrotóxicos em uma região do estado do Mato Grosso

This study sought to analyze groundwater and rainwater contamination by pesticides in two municipalities (Lucas do Rio Verde and Campo Verde) of Mato Grosso state. The area is Brazils mid-west situated among the major soybean, corn and cotton producers in the state and the country. The analytical methodology combined chromatographic techniques on groundwater and rainwater samples with eco-toxicological analyses of the impacts of contamination by pesticide on bio-indicator species. The results revealed the presence of different pesticide residues in the groundwater and rainwater samples collected in the two municipalities. In conjunction with this data, results of the eco-toxicological tests revealed the presence of anomalies in a bio-indicator species collected in one of the two study sites compatible with exposure to pesticides. The results presented and discussed here highlight the degradation of water resources in the region, caused by the intensive use of pesticides in agriculture, including the contamination of drinking water sources and rain, broadening the risk of contamination beyond the cultivated areas.

Percepção das condições de trabalho em uma tradicional comunidade agrícola em Boa Esperança, Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

The impact of pesticide use on human and environmental health has received attention from the international scientific community for some time, especially in developing countries where such chemical agents are used extensively and indiscriminately. The present study adopts a methodological approach to risk perception analysis based on rapid surveys, including: participatory observation; semi-structured interviews with key informants; and evaluation of local work processes. Field data analysis revealed several issues related to the risk perception profile of the study population, including the development of defensive strategies toward work hazards, subjective responses to potentially hazardous situations, and the role of individual risk perception as a determinant of human exposure to pesticides.

Saúde e ambiente em sua relação com o consumo de agrotóxicos em um pólo agrícola do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Pesticide use in agriculture is a nationwide phenomenon in Brazil, and the problem is proportional to this vast country. The widespread and growing use of pesticides for crops and cattle-raising, among other applications, has caused a number of environmental changes and problems, both by contaminating the communities of living beings that comprise the environment and by accumulating in the biotic and abiotic segments of ecosystems (biota, water, air, soil, sediments etc.). Pesticides also cause a number of diseases and health problems in human populations. The current article discusses several pesticide-related implications for human health and the environment in the mountainous region of the State of Rio de Janeiro, an important farming center. The article presents the results of research in the area, identifying possible determinants of the current situation and some of the main challenges for dealing with the problem.

Uso de agrotóxicos na produção de soja do estado do Mato Grosso: um estudo preliminar de riscos ocupacionais e ambientais

Objective: To identify and to discuss some of the major risks associated to pesticide use in the soybean production in Mato Grosso State, Midwestern Brazil. Method: It is a descriptive exploratory pilot-study that was carried out between 2008 and 2009, using methodological triangulation, comprising the following: analysis of an agricultural database, analysis of biological indicators of pesticide exposure, and analysis of rainwater contamination by these chemicals. Results: Analysis of pesticides consumption data showed a high and growing use of pesticides in soybean production, particularly glyphosate. Rainwater analysis evidenced the occurrence of different pesticide residues, indicating the amplification of the risks beyond workplace. This environmental exposure was also detected by biological indicator analysis among workers and residents of the plantation neighboring areas. Conclusion: The study data indicate the need for permanent environmental and human health monitoring in soybean production areas as part of workers’ health and environmental surveillance strategies.

Avaliação qualitativa do hábito de leitura e entendimento: recepção das informações de produtos alimentícios

A rotulagem de alimentos e o principal elo entre o consumidor e o produto, alem de representar um importante instrumento de educacao alimentar. O presente estudo avaliou o habito de leitura e compreensao dos rotulos de produtos alimenticios pelos frequentadores de supermercados do municipio de Niteroi/RJ - nos meses de setembro a dezembro de 2003. Foram realizadas entrevistas individuais (estudo quali-quantitativo) nas quais foi usado como instrumento de estudo um questionario sobre os rotulos, que foi aplicado a 400 individuos. Os resultados referentes a parte qualitativa do estudo evidenciaram que os principais problemas na compreensao da rotulagem dos produtos alimenticios foram: a baixa confianca pelos consumidores nas informacoes vinculadas pelos rotulos; o uso da linguagem tecnica; o excesso de propagandas veiculadas pelas diversas midias; e a pouca informacao sobre componentes alimentares potencialmente alergenicos. O estudo apontou a necessidade do desenvolvimento de politicas publicas de comunicacao para melhor orientar os consumidores na escolha de seus alimentos atraves da rotulagem de alimentos, estimulando-os no desenvolvimento de praticas alimentares mais adequadas.