Evaluation of family agriculture health: the Sumare case - Brazil

This paper is an evaluation of a step-by-step model which uses bioindicator s as parameters of farmers' exposure to agrochemicals contained in insectic ides and pesticides during their use in agriculture. It is based on an inte rdisciplinary proposal which, ultimately, aims to subsidize sustainability- seeking production systems. The study area was Rural Settlement I in Sumare , Sao Paulo, Brazil, composed of 26 farming families, which basically produ ce vegetables, chiefly tomato crops. The model was applied in four consecut ive phases: (i) the diagnosis of the health situation of the inhabitants of the area; (ii) their methods of handling agrochemicals and the most common ly used active ingredients; (iii) evaluation of clinical parameters as bioi ndicators; and (iv) group discussion with the farmers and members of their families about the development actions in the study area. The model adopted seems to be promising for early health evaluation of the family segment of the agricultural population, not implying excessive costs, and resulted in a significant change in the collective awareness of the community.