[Surveillance of health status in an agrarian environment: proposal for a method. 2. Environmental data]

In this second note, the Authors consider the environment surrounding the farms to identify the agricultural practices affecting both the ecological bicycle and the health of the farm-hands. The risk factors in the farm are principally the use of agricultural chemicals (pesticides, fertilizers, nitroso-compounds, etc.) and quality of the irrigation and drinkable water. In the first phase of the survey a complete analysis of environment was carried out to: a. identify all sources of pollution such as industries, roads, etc. b. consider drinkable water supplies, wastewater disposal and hygienic conditions in houses. At the same time data were collected about the use of pesticides, fertilizers and other agricultural chemicals, the characteristics of irrigation water, the presence of animals, storehouses, garages, etc. In the second phase of the survey a quality analysis of drinkable and irrigation water was carried out; the presence of dangerous chemicals (amines, nitrosoamines, nitrites, nitrates) in the vegetable caused by agricultural practices was also verified. The results demonstrated a substantial good hygienic situation of the farms but a bad state of drinkable and irrigation waters. We have difficulty in finding out how much and how the pesticides were used; therefore it will be necessary to control these practices more carefully. The amount of nitrites and nitrates in vegetables was normal, while no amines and nitrosoamines were found. The results suggest that it will be necessary in the future both to estimate the pesticide residues on the vegetables and the amount of fertilizers in the soil, and to analyse the soil composition.