Abstract |
Pesticides have been interrelated with many acute and chronic effects (symptoms) which
concern our health. Acute poisonings, cancer, especially lymphoma and leukemia, as well as
different effects in pregnant women and in general, side effects which have to do with the
reproductive system and lastly neurological diseases, are all included to these above frequent
effects. The basic pesticides’ categories are: weed killers, insecticides and fungicides. We
examined how frequent people use pesticides in Crete not only through contacting with the
experts but also by taking into account a pilot research in relation to female farmers. This
procedure consists a pilot research in terms of the REA research (mother- child research of
Crete).
Method (process): We selected 100 female farmers whose origins are found in the following
villages, Voutes, Kato Asites, Agioi Deka and Agia Barbara which belong to the prefecture of
Iraklion. These 100 women (100% participation) answered to a structured questionnaire
during the period of November 2006. The data which were relevant to a)the most frequent
used pesticides of the prefecture, b) the use of pesticides by women c) their exposure to them
and d)their (women’s) exposure owing to the use of pesticides by their husband, were
collected before answering the questionnaire during the period of the last six months. A
research was conducted, with reference to the frequency of demanding and the use of
pesticides, always in contact with agronomists and other experts of the prefecture of Iraklion.
A photographic album was also prepared containing the main pesticides.
Results: 15% (n=15) of the women who participated in the research (n=100, average age 49.7
years old, age ranges from 25 to 85 years old) claimed that they use pesticides by themselves.
Almost 30% (n=28) of the women, mentioned that they come in contact with the sprayed area
either directly by themselves or indirectly through their husbands, the same or the next day of
spraying. The prevalence of the use of pesticides by their husbands reaches up to 74% (n=64).
Research and interviews with experts showed that the most frequently used pesticides are:
gramoxone, roundup, decis, reldan, carbaryl, rimidin, folpet, helios, karathane and bayfidan.
A photographic album, which contains photographs of the 28 most frequently used pesticides,
was prepared.
Conclusions: the direct use of pesticides by women farmers is rather limited. The indirect
exposure through the use of pesticides by their husbands’ is a more common fact. The results
of this research lead us to believe that there is a great need for more study, research and
examination in relation to the bad effects that the use of pesticides may cause to our health.
We strongly believe that, the study REA in which the questionnaire and the photographic
album are used, are the same to this pilot research and not to mention that the biological
samples which are going to be used to the study REA, will provide us with valid, accurate and
reliable facts and data as far as the exposure to pesticides to a large population is concerned.
Last but not least, we will be able to study and evaluate reliable data in order to examine
possible connection between pesticides and the well-being of your children.
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