Urinary cotinine in tobacco farmers in Southern Brazil

Authors

  • Anaclaudia Gastal Fassa Universidade Federal de Pelotas. Departamento de Medicina Social. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Epidemiologia
  • Rodrigo Dalke Meucci Fundação Universidade Federal de Rio Grande. Faculdade de Medicina. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Pública
  • Nadia Spada Fiori Universidade Federal de Pelotas. Departamento de Medicina Social. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Epidemiologia
  • Maria Laura Vidal Carrett Universidade Federal de Pelotas. Departamento de Medicina Social. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Epidemiologia
  • Neice Muller Xavier Faria Universidade Federal de Pelotas. Departamento de Medicina Social. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Epidemiologia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11606/S1518-8787.2018052000287

Keywords:

Farmers. Cotinine, urine. Tobacco, adverse effects. Sectional Studies.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To describe urinary cotinine levels in tobacco farmers. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2,570 tobacco farmers. All participants that reported green tobacco sickness in the week prior to the interview plus a subsample of 492 pesticide applicators were included. We collected urinary samples and information about sociodemographic, behavioral, dietary, occupational characteristics, and pesticide poisoning during their lifetime. Stratification by sex and smoking was performed and the Wilcoxon and Kruskal-Wallis non-parametrical tests were used to analyze cotinine means. RESULTS: This study included 582 individuals. There was no difference in urinary cotinine means between green tobacco sickness symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. Among non-smokers, having picked tobacco in the previous week was associated with higher cotinine means in both genders. Cotinine levels were higher on the first day of symptoms and reduced exponentially with each day in female non-smokers. Male non-smokers had higher levels on the second day and a more gradual reduction. The cotinine level rose up to 15 cigarettes/day of consumption. CONCLUSIONS: The urinary cotinine measures exposure to nicotine up to its saturation point; while green tobacco sickness, affected by tolerance, indicates nicotine poisoning. Strategies to reduce nicotine exposure in tobacco production are needed. Mechanization could be an alternative, as long as it overcame the challenge of irregular terrain and did not affect the quality of the leaf. More studies are needed to evaluate the chronic effect of nicotine exposure.

Author Biography

  • Neice Muller Xavier Faria, Universidade Federal de Pelotas. Departamento de Medicina Social. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Epidemiologia

    Secretaria de Saúde de Bento Gonçalves. Vigilância em Saúde Ocupacional

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Published

2018-08-03

Issue

Section

Original Articles

How to Cite

Urinary cotinine in tobacco farmers in Southern Brazil. (2018). Revista De Saúde Pública, 52, 70. https://doi.org/10.11606/S1518-8787.2018052000287