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Health Symptoms Related to Pesticide Use in Farmers and Laborers of Ecological and Conventional Banana Plantations in Ecuador

Author

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  • Hans-Peter Hutter

    (Department of Environmental Health, Center for Public Health, Medical University Vienna, 1090 Wien, Austria)

  • Michael Poteser

    (Department of Environmental Health, Center for Public Health, Medical University Vienna, 1090 Wien, Austria)

  • Kathrin Lemmerer

    (Department of Environmental Health, Center for Public Health, Medical University Vienna, 1090 Wien, Austria)

  • Peter Wallner

    (Department of Environmental Health, Center for Public Health, Medical University Vienna, 1090 Wien, Austria)

  • Michael Kundi

    (Department of Environmental Health, Center for Public Health, Medical University Vienna, 1090 Wien, Austria)

  • Hanns Moshammer

    (Department of Environmental Health, Center for Public Health, Medical University Vienna, 1090 Wien, Austria
    Department of Hygiene, Medical University of Karakalpakstan, Nukus 230100, Uzbekistan)

  • Lisbeth Weitensfelder

    (Department of Environmental Health, Center for Public Health, Medical University Vienna, 1090 Wien, Austria)

Abstract

Conventional banana farming is pesticide-intensive and leads to high exposure of farmworkers. Ecuador is the world’s biggest exporter of bananas. In this field study in 5 communities in Ecuador, we recorded potentially pesticide-associated subjective health symptoms in farmworkers and compared pesticide users to workers in organic farming. With one exception, symptom rates were always higher in the pesticide-exposed group. Significance was reached in 8 out of 19 investigated symptoms with the highest odds ratios (and smallest p -values) for local irritation like skin and eye irritation (OR = 3.58, CI 1.10–11.71, and 4.10, CI 1.37–12.31, respectively) as well as systemic symptoms like dizziness (OR = 4.80, CI 1.55–14.87) and fatigue (OR = 4.96, CI 1.65–14.88). Moreover, gastrointestinal symptoms were reported more frequently by pesticide users: nausea (OR = 7.5, CI 1.77–31.77) and diarrhea (OR = 6.43, CI 1.06–30.00). The majority of farmworkers were not adequately protected from pesticide exposure. For example, only 3 of 31 farmworkers that had used pesticides recently reported using gloves and only 6 reported using masks during active spraying. Improved safety measures and a reduction in pesticide use are necessary to protect the health of banana farmworkers.

Suggested Citation

  • Hans-Peter Hutter & Michael Poteser & Kathrin Lemmerer & Peter Wallner & Michael Kundi & Hanns Moshammer & Lisbeth Weitensfelder, 2021. "Health Symptoms Related to Pesticide Use in Farmers and Laborers of Ecological and Conventional Banana Plantations in Ecuador," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-12, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:3:p:1126-:d:488166
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Hans-Peter Hutter & Michael Poteser & Kathrin Lemmerer & Peter Wallner & Shifra Shahraki Sanavi & Michael Kundi & Hanns Moshammer & Lisbeth Weitensfelder, 2020. "Indicators of Genotoxicity in Farmers and Laborers of Ecological and Conventional Banana Plantations in Ecuador," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-10, February.
    2. Christos A. Damalas & Ilias G. Eleftherohorinos, 2011. "Pesticide Exposure, Safety Issues, and Risk Assessment Indicators," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 8(5), pages 1-18, May.
    3. Hans-Peter Hutter & Abdul Wali Khan & Kathrin Lemmerer & Peter Wallner & Michael Kundi & Hanns Moshammer, 2018. "Cytotoxic and Genotoxic Effects of Pesticide Exposure in Male Coffee Farmworkers of the Jarabacoa Region, Dominican Republic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-11, August.
    4. Brisbois, Benjamin, 2016. "Bananas, pesticides and health in southwestern Ecuador: A scalar narrative approach to targeting public health responses," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 184-191.
    5. Hans-Peter Hutter & Michael Kundi & Kathrin Lemmerer & Michael Poteser & Lisbeth Weitensfelder & Peter Wallner & Hanns Moshammer, 2018. "Subjective Symptoms of Male Workers Linked to Occupational Pesticide Exposure on Coffee Plantations in the Jarabacoa Region, Dominican Republic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-10, September.
    6. Hans-Peter Hutter & Hanns Moshammer, 2018. "Pesticides Are an Occupational and Public Health Issue," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-3, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Lucas David & Michel Streith & Audrey Michaud & Michaël Dambrun, 2024. "Organic and Conventional Farmers’ Mental Health: A Preliminary Study on the Role of Social Psychological Mediators," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-18, February.

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