Pesticide exposure: occupational safety and health impacts in 2023

Abstract

In 2023, occupational health and safety was consolidated as a priority issue in public policies in Latin America, with efforts focused on protecting workers in complex economic and labor environments. In Ecuador, floriculture, a key sector for the economy, faced significant challenges due to workers' exposure to phytosanitary products. Although these chemicals proved essential for agriculture, their use entailed serious health risks, including neurological and respiratory problems, exacerbated by the lack of effective supervision and limited access to specialized health services. Recent studies revealed that the pesticides used mainly affected the nervous system and caused symptoms such as headaches, insomnia and memory loss. In addition, research in Argentina and Mexico confirmed similar patterns, highlighting the dangerousness of the preparation and application stages of these chemicals. The impact on health also extended to the immune system, as demonstrated by studies on the alteration of immunoglobulins due to chronic exposure.The region faced social and economic barriers that hindered the implementation of preventive measures. Many workers, coming from rural communities, lacked adequate training and worked in precarious conditions. Despite initiatives promoted by the Pan American Health Organization and the International Labor Organization, lack of resources limited their impact. Chile stood out as a positive example, managing to reduce occupational diseases through monitoring and training programs. In conclusion, occupational health in floriculture required a comprehensive approach that combined government, business and community actions to protect workers and ensure the sustainability of the sector.or unstructured, no longer than 250 words; written in the past tense and in the third person singular