Cuba pesticides knowledge and practical use

Abstract

Off-label use of pesticides (i.e. application at inappropriate times and/or on unregistered crops) is a potential risk to the environment and human health. The objective of this study was to assess the level of knowledge and awareness of small lot farmers on the use, risk, and hazards associated with exposure to pesticides in the agricultural region of Sancti Spíritus, Cuba. For the fulfillment of the objective, 124 small lot farmers of the province were surveyed. The results were analyzed from an initial descriptive analysis and then through an association analysis using the Chi-Square test and Spearman correlations, with the use of the statistical package SPSS version 20.0. The results showed that only 28.3 % of the farmers had received specific training on pesticides. Personal experience was the main driver for decisions about which pesticides to use and how to apply them. 35.8 % of the farmers stored pesticides in unmarked containers, such as soft drink bottles. The empty containers are stored to be incinerated (31.7 %) or reused (42.6 %) for pesticides, water, or fuel. Around 90 % of farmers do not use personal protection equipment. The study concludes that the lack of knowledge and personal protective equipment, inability to understand the labels, and low risk-perception are the main causes of exposure to pesticides and the health risk for workers and nearby residents, as well as damage to the environment.