Utilização de equipamento de proteção individual na colheita do tabaco: o entendimento do produtor

Abstract

Leaf tobacco is the fifth most exported product in the country. Tobacco is mainly cultivated in small properties with family based labor. In the south of Brazil, approximately 186 thousand families obtain their main income through tobacco production. Due to its poorly mechanized and intensive work, occupational diseases are associated with this cultivation. Among them is the risk of nicotine intoxication from tobacco leaves, called green tobacco sickness (GTS). The disease is caused by exposure to nicotine, which happens through dermal absorption when the skin gets in touch with the leaves. To prevent GTS it is necessary to wear personal protection equipment (PPE) during the tobacco harvest. Therefore, this research aims to analyze the farmer’s understanding over the use of the personal protection equipment (PPE) e how the farmer relates its use to the green tobacco sickness (GTS). Methodologically, this is a qualitative study, with a research strategies happening in two stages. For the research, an analysis was carried out over a database built on primary interviews performed by Technical Assistency and Rural Extension team from the South Central region of Rio Grande do Sul. Based on the database, fifteen families were enrolled in semi-structured interviews. The results confirmed that most farmers do not wear the harvesting garment, as a result ofthe thermal discomfort caused by the PPE. They know the risks coming from the tobacco leaves and, because of it, they use strategies to avoid them, like the use of adaptations instead of the recommended PPE. Furthermore they delay the harvest during the morning to avoid contact with moist leaves due to dew. This fact shows that the farmers know about the vulnerability of harvesting moist leaves. They are all aware of the existence of GTS and many affirm to have felt sick, showing symptoms and signs of the disease. Not all of them believe that the PPE is efficient on preventing GTS.