In the State of Minas Gerais alone at least 4500 children work in such conditions. The children work in the furnaces bare-footed and without any protection. Consequently the vast majority have breathing and eye problems. Sugar cane is planted in practically all of the states in Brazil and uses children and adolescents as a large part of the work force. The most common diseases in this work situation are skin and eye problems.
Blindness is quite common.
It is estimated that 4 thousand children of four years and older work in cotton fields of the State of Parana. In the States of Bahia and Paraiba, approximately 9 thousand children work in the harvesting of sisal. In the planting of trees the work of such girls is much sought after to apply the poison in the ant nests. The companies employ the girls because they have more patience to apply the poison with care in the nests. The companies do not supply the special gloves and other protection necessary.