Abstract: In this study, the knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding pesticide use and
the levels of exposure of farmers and residents to organophosphorous and/or carbamates
pesticides were evaluated in two rural settings in Brazil. A questionnaire was completed by
112 farm workers aged ≥18 years. Almost all farmers acknowledged that pesticides were
potentially harmful to their health (87.5%); however, over half rarely (48.2%) or never
(7.2%) used personal protective devices (PPDs). An association was found (p = 0.001)
between the work regimen and the use of PPDs, with more frequent equipment use among
hired laborers than those involved in family agriculture. A significant correlation (p = 0.027)
was found between the reporting of adverse symptoms and the use of backpack sprayers.
Mean AChE activities of farmers (n = 64) and residents (n = 18) during the exposure and
non-exposure periods were significantly lower than their control groups. Mean BChE
activities of farmers and residents were significantly lower than their controls during the
exposure period. Among the 60 farmers that had blood samples collected in both the
exposure and non-exposure (baseline) periods, 10 (16.7%) had AChE depletion of over
30% during the exposure period compared with the baseline level. Six residents living on
the same farms also presented this depletion. AChE was over 30% higher than the baseline
level for 19 farmers (31.7%), indicating a reboot effect. Special education programs are
needed in these regions to promote the safe use of pesticides in the field to decrease the
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Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2012, 9 3052
risks from exposure to pesticides for farmers, and from secondary exposure to these
compounds for their families.