Occupational pesticide exposure and multidimensional risk perception among family farmers: implications for One health.
Pesticide use represents an important One Health challenge due to its interconnected effects on human health, environmental quality, and food production systems. This study evaluated occupational exposure to pesticides and multidimensional risk perception among family onion farmers in southern Brazil. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 89 farmers from São José do Norte, Rio Grande do Sul, using a structured questionnaire addressing sociodemographic characteristics, occupational practices, pesticide use, personal protective equipment (PPE), health conditions, and perceptions of risks related to environmental contamination, human and animal health, food quality, and occupational exposure. Most participants were male (75.3%), older than 40 years (78.6%), and reported year-round agricultural activity (85.4%). Herbicides were the most frequently used pesticides, and several fungicides and insecticides were applied at doses exceeding the recommended levels. Although environmental risk perception was relatively high, particularly regarding water contamination, adherence to PPE remained low, with 83.1% reporting inadequate use. Musculoskeletal, dermatological, and neuropsychological symptoms were commonly reported. Younger farmers demonstrated higher environmental risk perception, while married individuals and those with prolonged occupational exposure generally showed lower perception levels. Conversely, chronic conditions such as pulmonar and cardiovascular diseases, and cancer were associated with increased risk perception. The findings suggest that repeated occupational exposure may contribute to the normalization of hazardous practices, reducing awareness of pesticide-related risks. From a One Health perspective, the results highlight the need for integrated interventions involving occupational health surveillance, environmental monitoring, health education, and the promotion of safer and more sustainable agricultural practices in rural communities.