An epidemiological study on cutaneous diseases of agricultural workers authorized to use pesticides.

BACKGROUND

There is an increased risk for agricultural workers to acquire skin problems, but data so far published are still very scarce.

OBJECTIVE

To individualize skin disorders that involved this class of workers.

METHODS

Between 1990 and 1992, 426 agricultural workers, authorized to use pesticides, were examined. The control group consisted of 100 nonagriculture workers, who were age and sex matched.

RESULTS

Some common dermatological diseases, such as vitiligo, psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis, had an incidence overlapping with that found in the controls. Irritant plant dermatoses (2.5%), episodes of acute systemic intoxication from pesticides (6.8%), onychopathies due to chronic trauma (16%), contact dermatitis of the hands (12%), chilblains (7%) and Favre-Racouchot syndrome (2.5%) showed a higher prevalence in the study group.

CONCLUSION

Farmers were affected mainly by diseases caused by the direct action of chemical agents, either natural or industrial, in addition to climatic and physical agents.