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Impact of - IDL-BNC @ IDRC - International Development Research ...

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Discussion<br />

The lowland regions and mesothermal valleys are the areas most susceptible<br />

to risk <strong>of</strong> pesticide poisoning. In more-developed countries, such as Brazil,<br />

where the use <strong>of</strong> pesticides is for the most part controlled, the incidence <strong>of</strong><br />

poisoning is 7.9% (Zanaga et at. 1984). The values we encountered in the<br />

tropical lowlands (10.7% <strong>of</strong> DE workers, but, more significantly, 5.3% <strong>of</strong> IE<br />

workers) are significant and indicate to us that measures must be taken to<br />

prevent higher levels <strong>of</strong> poisoning. In the four regions studied, there is a high<br />

degree <strong>of</strong> ignorance <strong>of</strong> risks and <strong>of</strong> appropriate handling <strong>of</strong> pesticides because<br />

training directed at rural workers is almost completely lacking. These factors<br />

must be considered in any study related to agriculture, so that hygiene, use <strong>of</strong><br />

personal protection measures, preparation <strong>of</strong> pesticides without technical<br />

assistance, storage <strong>of</strong> pesticides, prevention <strong>of</strong> environmental pollution, and<br />

other factors related to poisoning, become known. Only in this way can the<br />

harmful effects be avoided in the future for agricultural workers, their families,<br />

and the surrounding environment.<br />

Likewise, we should not neglect health care and the need to equip health-care<br />

posts to allow them to assist in emergency cases <strong>of</strong> poisoning. Further epidemiological<br />

studies must also be carried out under the Ministry <strong>of</strong> Health in<br />

the most affected areas, including greenhouses and nurseries in the altiplano<br />

and valleys.<br />

There should be stricter controls on the sale <strong>of</strong> prohibited products. Studies<br />

must be planned for detecting cases <strong>of</strong> human poisoning and <strong>of</strong> environmental<br />

pollution due to organochlorine pesticides, which are being extensively used<br />

primarily in the northern altiplano.<br />

As a result <strong>of</strong> our study, this project is being expanded to include: a seminar<br />

to review the existing laws on pesticides in Bolivia; and a course for educators<br />

and trainers, to be selected from employees in the Ministry <strong>of</strong> Health, teachers,<br />

companies selling pesticides, and other organizations involved in this issue.<br />

Courses will be implemented in the university, and epidemiologic follow-up<br />

will be done on cases <strong>of</strong> poisoning encountered through the health-care<br />

network <strong>of</strong> the Ministry <strong>of</strong> Health.<br />

Acknowledgment- This research was carried out with the assistance <strong>of</strong> a<br />

grant from the <strong>International</strong> <strong>Development</strong> <strong>Research</strong> Centre, Ottawa, Canada.<br />

Condarco, C.; Medina, H. 1986a. Control integrada de plagas - Toxicological<br />

report on workers exposed to pesticides in the region <strong>of</strong> Comarapa. Instituto<br />

Nacional de Salud Ocupacional, La Paz, Bolivia.<br />

83

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