An Ecosystem Health Approach and Children's Health Living in the Vicinity of Banana Plantations

Abstract

ISEE-757 Objective: To study children's pesticide exposure, its health effects and social consequences in agricultural communities. Materials and Methods: The study population included 3 communities nearby banana (multinational) and plantain (small-scale peasants) plantations with extensive pesticide use, and 2 with low pesticide use (cattle and organic farmers). Pesticide exposure pathways in children were studied both qualitatively and quantitatively within a social, cultural, and gender context. To study perceptions of pesticide risks, focus groups were held in parents and semistructured interviews were performed in key-actors. Exposure was assessed quantitatively by measuring pesticides metabolites in urine in 55 exposed and 12 low-exposed 7- and 8-year-old children. In 14 of these children dermal exposure was assessed, and dust samples were taken from their homes. In addition, environmental samples were taken (air, surface and drinking water, soil). To study children's development and health, a neurobehavioral test-battery was performed in all 7- and 8-year-old children of the 5 communities. Results: Pesticide exposure pathways and patterns differed for children living in banana communities as compared to small-scale plantain communities. Male and female small-scale farmers take their children to the field as a cultural habit, resulting in incidentally high exposures. Yet, in the banana communities children are constantly being exposed due to living very nearby the plantations. For example, weekly aerial spraying of fungicides results in a drift of small droplets directly entering school and the most nearby houses. Perceptions of pesticide risks differed between communities, and between fathers and mothers, but principally between working parents (emphasizing utility) and housewives (emphasizing risks). Quantitative exposure pathways and the relation between exposure and health effects in the children are currently being analyzed. Conclusions: Our results identify environmental pesticide exposure and children's health; agricultural, social, and cultural practices; and gender-dependent variables influencing in both exposure and health.