INCREASED RISK OF SUICIDE WITH EXPOSURE TO PESTICIDES IN AN INTENSIVEAGRICULTURAL AREA - A 12-YEAR RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

Several reports have suggested that exposure to agricultural pesticide s (mainly chronic exposure to organophosphates) produces depression, a nd depression is a major risk factor for suicide. A retrospective epid emiological study of 251 suicide cases was undertaken to explore the p ossible relationship between the high suicide rates in an intensive ag ricultural area, and a specific group of population at risk, namely fa rmers with chronic exposure to pesticides, who are at risk to develop mood disorders (mainly depression). Our data show that the suicide rat e in that area is significantly higher than the suicide rates from oth er geographic areas with very similar socioeconomic and demographic fe atures. In addition, the mortality from suicide in this population (fa rmers) does differ significantly from that of the rest of the populati on.