Table 2 Factors of importance for intoxications in humans and pollution of environment when handling pesticides (n = 171)
From: Occupational pesticide intoxications among farmers in Bolivia: a cross-sectional study
Factor | % positive answers |
|---|---|
Using gloves when handling pesticides | 16 % |
Using boots when handling pesticides | 16 % |
Using a plastic poncho when handling pesticides | 3 % |
Using a mask when handling pesticides | 17 % |
Washing hands after handling pesticides | 69 % |
Washing the whole body after handling pesticides | 54 % |
Changing clothes after handling pesticides | 47 % |
Chewing coca, smoking or eating during a spraying session | 15 % |
Spraying less than one day before harvest | 25 % |
Spraying products after harvesting and before taking them to the market | 19 % |
Entering a field the same day is sprayed | 27 % |
Blowing or sucking the nozzle of the knapsack sprayer when obstructed | 49 % |
Mixing pesticides at the borders of rivers or ponds | 35 % |
Washing knapsack sprayer in or at the borders of rivers or ponds | 30 % |
Throwing empty pesticide containers in the fields or into the rivers | 72 % |
Using pesticides as medicine for skin infections in humans (mainly scabies) | 16 % |
Keeping pesticides locked up | 8 % |