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0092/2026 - Implications of pesticide use on the health of family farmers in the Zona da Mata region of Minas Gerais, Brazil
Implicações do uso de agrotóxicos na saúde de agricultores familiares da Zona da Mata de Minas Gerais, Brasil

Author:

• Jérsica Martins Bittencourt - Bittencourt, JM - <jersica.cunha@ufv.br>
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3821-8171

Co-author(s):

• Sílvia Oliveira Lopes - Lopes, SO - <silvia.lopes@ufv.br>
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6755-8610
• Edna Miranda Mayer - Mayer, EM - <edna.mayer@ufv.br>
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1948-110X
• Dayane de Castro Morais - Morais, DC - <dayanecm@yahoo.com.br>
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6439-7009
• Francilene Maria Azevedo - Azevedo, F.M - <francilene.azevedoufv@gmail.com>
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2162-5408
• Sylvia do Carmo Castro Franceschini - Franceschini, SCC - <sylvia@ufv.br>
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7934-4858
• Silvia Eloiza Priore - Priore, SE - <sepriore@ufv.br>
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0656-1485


Abstract:

This cross-sectional study evaluated the association between pesticide use and the occurrence of endocrine and anthropometric alterations, as well as changes in urinary iodine concentration, among adult family farmers living in the Zona da Mata region of Minas Gerais. Blood samples were collected to quantify markers of thyroid function and pesticide intoxication, and urine samples were collected to assess urinary iodine concentration. Associations were examined using Pearson’s chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests and Poisson regression. According to data distribution, Student’s t test, Mann–Whitney test, and Spearman correlation were applied. A total of 306 family farmers participated in the study, of whom 44.1% (n=135) reported pesticide use. Pesticide use was associated with elevated urinary iodine levels (p=0.017; PR=1.32; 95% CI: 1.05–1.66), and the prevalence of overweight was higher among individuals with pesticide use for ≥10 years compared to those with shorter or no exposure (PR=1.51; 95% CI: 1.07–2.13; p=0.017). These findings indicate health implications associated with pesticide exposure among family farmers, highlighting the importance of promoting agroecological or organic farming practices.

Keywords:

Pesticides. Family farmers. Overweight. Elevated urinary iodine.

Content:

Implications of pesticide use on the health of family farmers in the Zona da Mata region of Minas Gerais, Brazil


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Cite

Bittencourt, JM, Lopes, SO, Mayer, EM, Morais, DC, Azevedo, F.M, Franceschini, SCC, Priore, SE. Implications of pesticide use on the health of family farmers in the Zona da Mata region of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Cien Saude Colet [periódico na internet] (2026/Apr). [Citado em 17/06/2026]. Está disponível em: http://www.cienciaesaudecoletiva.com.br/en/articles/implications-of-pesticide-use-on-the-health-of-family-farmers-in-the-zona-da-mata-region-of-minas-gerais-brazil/19990?id=19990&id=19990



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