Health Risks for Coffee Farmworkers Linked to Fungicides in Brazil

Health Risks for Coffee Farmworkers Linked to Fungicides in Brazil

A new study highlights serious health risks for coffee farmworkers in southern Minas Gerais, Brazil, due to exposure to triazole fungicides. These chemicals are widely used in the coffee industry to combat diseases like coffee leaf rust. The research also offers a promising tool for assessing toxic exposure in humans, showing a strong correlation between laboratory tests and real-life data.

• The study involved 140 farmworkers and their spouses, comparing them to 50 urban residents without exposure to herbicides.

• Results indicated that male farmworkers had lower testosterone and androstenedione levels, hormones crucial for various bodily functions.

• Hormonal imbalances linked to higher cholesterol and glucose levels were observed in the exposed group.

• Spouses of farmworkers also showed signs of fungicide toxicity, while urban subjects did not.

Understanding these health risks is vital for improving safety measures in agriculture. The findings call for better training and protective equipment for farmworkers to reduce exposure and promote health.

Source.

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