This study shows that the indiscriminate use of pesticides in the country is growing every year in order to improve and guarantee an increase in agricultural production. In this sense, it is necessary to take care and control those who apply the product in order to avoid poisoning and damage to health.

The research carried out with 23 farmers in the municipality of Paraíso - SC, provided important information and data on the subject. It showed that a high number of people do not make proper use of safety equipment as a result of direct contact with pesticides, some of whom said they had already been poisoned while using the products.

Confirming this are the results of the cholinesterase tests on saliva samples, which are altered, indicating signs of pesticide poisoning. The use of saliva as a biological sample also proved reliable for this type of test.

One of the positive points of tests like these is their practicality in collecting material, as they are non-invasive, thus facilitating studies and monitoring of the health of farmers in the western region of Santa Catarina and other regions. It's a fact that most people don't know about.

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