Introduction:

The health impact caused by the use of pesticides on farmers is mainly due to poor practices in managing them.

Objective:

To identify possible adverse effects on health and the environment associated with the use and management of pesticides in potato crops.

Metodology:

cross sectional study in the municipality of Totoro, Cauca department (Colombia), with a sample of 125 workers. Each selected individual survey was applied and collected a sample of 10 ml of blood to determine the activity of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase both plasma and erythrocytes by Michel technique.

Results:

74.4% (n = 93) of workers employed pesticides in their work and 49.6% (n = 62) used them at home. The highest frequency of pesticide use both at work and at home is given by organophosphates. Regarding the determination of the activity of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, 8.0% (n = 10) of individuals they presented erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase inhibition.

Conclusion:

The highest percentage of the pesticides used at work belong to the toxicity category III, moderately toxic, followed by the category I (extremely toxic). The pesticide used most often at work was Manzate of toxicity category III, while at home was the Furadan (toxicological category I). AChE inhibition was minimal but the reported the use of organophosphates, carbamates and dithiocarbamates, among others.