In people exposed to pesticides in their work, the risk of suffering from heart disease or having a cardiac arrest would be higher.
The consequences of exposure to pesticides on health are still unclear. In The Journal of the American Heart Associationresearchers conclude that people who are highly exposed to these substances have a significant risk of suffering from heart problems.
The dangers of occupational exposure to pesticides
The study was carried out using data from nearly 8,000 men, collected between 1965 and 1968. Their exposure to pesticides at their workplace was measured. The researchers found that those who were heavily exposed to these products were 45% more likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease or cardiac arrest, compared to those who were not in contact with these substances. The effects of pesticides on health would be particularly significant in the first ten years following exposure. “This study shows that it is very important to use personal protective equipment in the event of exposure to pesticides in the workplace, underlines Beatriz L. Rodriguez, co-author of the study, and to record the data on exposure to these products in medical records.” Knowing that a patient has been exposed to pesticides in a significant way in his career could help doctors establish a diagnosis or increase their vigilance regarding certain pathologies.
Substances of concern in France
In France, the debates revolve around the exposure of residents of agricultural areas to pesticides. In the spring, a mayor decided to prohibit the spreading of these products within 150 meters of homes and professional buildings, his decree was canceled in September by the administrative court of Rennes. Other town councilors have taken similar measures across France, in response the government has announced a draft decree aimed at requiring farmers to respect a distance of between 5 or 10 meters, depending on the crops, between homes and spreading areas. It should come into force at the beginning of 2020.
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