Evaluation of the auditory system of farm workers exposed to pesticides
Avaliação do sistema auditivo em agricultores expostos à agrotóxicos
Maria Isabel Kós; Maria de Fátima Miranda; Raphael Mendonça Guimarães; Armando Meyer
Abstract
Purposes: to evaluate the peripheral auditory system, by means of pure tone audiometry for farmers living in areas of heavy use of pesticides in the State of Rio de Janeiro.
Methods: 70 individuals of genders, 35 farmers and 35 non- farmers, with ages between 25 and 59 years, residents Campos dos Goytacazes, were enrolled into the study. All subjects had their peripheral hearing evaluated by means of pure tone audiometry at frequencies of 250, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 3,000, 4,000, 6,000 and 8,000 Hz. Individuals with alterations in external and middle ear and/or with a otologic complaint were excluded from the study. In addition, interview was conducted regarding health issues, socioeconomic status, education and exposure to pesticides. Hearing loss was considered if hearing thresholds were equal or more than 25 dB at any frequency tested.
Results: the Odds Ratio of hearing loss was 3.67 times (95% CI: 2.08 - 6.48) higher among agricultural workers (94.3%) when compared to non- agricultural workers (25.7%). Furthermore, most of the hearing alterations were observed in the higher frequencies.
Conclusion: this study suggests that the agricultural activity and possible exposure to pesticides increases the risk of hearing loss.
Keywords
Resumo
Objetivos: avaliar o sistema auditivo periférico, por meio de audiometria tonal, em agricultores residentes em área de intenso uso de agrotóxicos no Estado do Rio de Janeiro.
Métodos: foram avaliados 70 indivíduos, de ambos os gêneros, moradores de Campos dos Goytacazes, com idade variando entre 25 e 59 anos, sendo 35 agricultores e 35 não agricultores. Todos os indivíduos tiveram sua audição periférica avaliada, por meio de audiometria tonal nas frequências de 250, 500, 1.000, 2.000, 3.000, 4.000, 6.000 e 8.000Hz. Foram excluídos indivíduos com alteração de orelha externa e média e/ou com alguma queixa otológica. Além disso, foi realizada anamnese com questões relacionadas à saúde, situação sócio-econômica, educação e exposição ao agrotóxico. Foi considerada perda auditiva, os limiares maiores ou iguais a 25dB em qualquer das frequências testadas.
Resultados: o Odds Ratio de perda auditiva foi 3,67 vezes (IC95%: 2,08-6,48) maior entre agricultores (94,3%), quando comparados aos não agricultores (25,7%). Além disso, a maior parte das alterações auditivas foi observada nas frequências mais agudas.
Conclusão: o presente estudo sugere que a atividade agrícola e possivelmente a exposição a agrotóxicos aumenta o risco de perda auditiva.
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Referências
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Submetido em:
03/09/2012
Aceito em:
06/12/2013
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