As Implicações do uso de agrotóxicos na saúde do trabalhador: o caso do Jaíba - MG

Abstract

The current model of Brazilian agricultural production has been the target of constant criticism because the increase in productivity is associated with monocultures, agribusiness and the intensive use of pesticides, the effect of which is detrimental to natural biomes and human health. Therefore, municipalities whose economy is agriculturally based and that make indiscriminate use of pesticides are in a vulnerable situation, since the risk of contamination is linked to the way in which the population relates to existing dangers, a process that is intertwined with the determinants of social, cultural and economic orders that are peculiar to each individual and collectivity. Thus, the objective of this work was to analyze the implications of the use of pesticides on the health of workers in the Jaíba / MG Irrigation Project. More specifically, we sought to discuss the relationship between the use of pesticides and the health of workers, pointing out possible diseases arising from contact and consumption of food; identify the socioeconomic and cultural context in which workers live in the production process; diagnose the perception of workers' risk from exposure to pesticides and verify safety standards in the management of pesticides. The methodology used consisted of a bibliographic review, research of secondary data in managing bodies such as the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics - IBGE and the Diseases and Notification Information System - SINAN, in addition to fieldwork to conduct interviews with workers of the project and health agents. It is concluded that Jaíba workers experience a situation of social and economic fragility that directly influences access to information on the handling of pesticides and health services or other essential public services. Despite knowing the risks of the use of pesticides, they still use it as a guarantee of productivity and income, since the regional framework offers few opportunities in the employment sector.