The article presents the incidence of suicides and attended cases of poisoning in the micro-region of Luz, Minas Gerais, and their possible relationship with pesticides. A descriptive study was held involving 50 local residents, who were asked to answer a questionnaire. Acetylcholinesterase, gamma-glutamyl-transferase (GGT), Serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase(SGOT), and Serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase(SGPT) were measured, and suicides between the years 2000 to 2004 were analyzed through hospital and civil registry records. The results pointed at 8.1 cases/month pesticide poisoning. During the period under study, 19 suicidal deaths occurred (22.6/100,000 inhab./year), 18 involving male rural workers, 57.9% of these caused by pesticide poisoning. From the interviewed residents, 98% reported they handled pesticides regularly, 72% had never used any protection equipment, 56% had never read any information sheets, and 40% had been poisoned by pesticides. Increase of SGOT and SGPT was observed in 33.33% of the male subjects, while GGT elevation was found in 21.42% of the women and 13.88% of the men. Reduction of Acetylcholinesterase activity was not detected. Incidence of suicides was more than twice the highest state average in Brazil and, compared to Sinitox data, the number of pesticide poisoning cases was high.
pesticides; suicides; rural workers; poisoning
