Estudo da ototoxicidade em trabalhadores expostos a organofosforados

Abstract

Occupat ional and environmental exposure to agricultural pesticides represent an important health care problem in our country. Among the symptoms presented, dizziness stands out, because of a probable toxic action. Aim: The goal of our study was to characterize vestibular test results from rural workers occupationally and environmentally exposed to organophosphates used in agricultural pesticides. Materials and Methods:We carried out a cohort crosssectional study with 18 rural workers from Teresópolis, RJ. Age ranged between 16 and 59 years, with a mean value of 39.6 years, 5 were males and 13 females. We used three questionnaires with questions associated with general and auditory health, and more specific questions about dizziness and its association with work. All workers underwent clinical evaluation, audiometry and vectoelectronystagmography. Results: results showed that 16 workers had irritative peripheral body balance disorder and 7 workers had sensorineural hearing loss, thus suggesting that agricultural pesticides cause vestibular alterations through a slow and silent intoxication. Conclusions: medical care for this population exposed to neurotoxic substances require an interdisciplinary approach, to guarantee efficient preventive and therapeutic measures.

Avaliação funcional do sistema vestibular de cobaias intoxicadas agudamente por organofosforado por meio da prova calórica

“…This is at odds with other researchers, who found functional changes in sensorimotor tests in humans as a change in the measure of postural sway with eyes closed and on a smooth surface, suggesting subclinical effect of the pesticide on the vestibular and proprioceptive systems 7 . It also disagrees on the research which examined the vectoelectronystagmography results of workers chronically exposed to OPs, where changes were found in 50% of cases, with these changes being translated into caloric hyperreflexia in VENG; however, the present study evaluated the acute effects of this organophosphate compound 26 .…”

“…Abnormalities of VOR can be found in the research on caloric stimulation 4. Some chemicals cause harm to humans and the environment, e.g., pesticides, some of which are known for their neurotoxic properties. Pesticides are often considered responsible for poisoning agricultural workers that are exposed to them, especially in developing countries 6,7 . Pesticides are an important risk factor for human health.…”

“…This clinical picture varies in intensity, and may be characterized by nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness and other symptoms. Dizziness is a major symptom, considered one of the clinical manifestations of exposure to pesticides 7,8 .…”

Ototoxicidade Em Trabalhadores Por Exposição a Agrotóxicos

“…Existem mais de 200 substâncias que já foram citadas na literatura como ototóxicas, sendo a maioria delas não identificadas como nocivas ao homem. (HOSHINO et al, 2008) Os produtos neurotóxicos podem causar problemas sérios, inclusive a perda de audição. Este dado é muito importante, pois há evidências de que a perda auditiva possa ser uma manifestação precoce de intoxicação.…”

“…(KÖRBES et al, 2010) Com apenas dias de exposição, pode-se apresentar perda auditiva, variando o grau de leve a profunda. (HOSHINO et al, 2008)Em pesquisas mais recentes, através de um grupo de trabalhadores expostos a inseticidas do tipo organofosforado e piretróide, foram constatadas que as exposições crônicas a estes inseticidas afetam o sistema auditivo nos níveis periférico e central. (MANJABOSCO, MORATA e MARQUES, 2004) Porém não é conhecida nenhuma pesquisa na região do Pontal do Paranapanema, voltada à questão da audição do trabalhador exposto ao agrotóxico, exposição essa que pode desencadear um prejuízo irreversível, se detectado tardiamente.…”