Evidence on Human Exposure to Pesticides and the Occurrence of Health Hazards in the Brazilian Population: A Systematic Review.

Carolina Panis, Aedra Carla Bufalo Kawassaki, Ana Paula Jaqueline Crestani, Claudiceia Risso Pascotto, Durcelina Schiavoni Bortoloti, Geraldo Emílio Vicentini, Léia Carolina Lucio, Mariane Okamoto Ferreira, Rosebel Trindade Cunha Prates, Valquíria Kulig Vieira, Shaiane Carla Gaboardi, Luciano Zanetti Pessoa Candiotto

Journal: Frontiers in public health 2022;9():787438

PMID: 35071167

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Plain Language Summary

The use of pesticides to eradicate pests is a common agricultural practice. Between 2009 and 2019, Brazilians used more chemicals to eradicate weeds, fungi, and insects. Brazil is a heavy user of pesticides, but their toxic effects, including their health and environmental effects, have not been well studied. A total of 44 studies are included in this systematic review. There is a link between pesticide exposure and neurological damage, cancer, gastrointestinal issues, poisoning, hormonal irregularities, and malformations in children, according to the studies included in this review. The systematic review shows that pesticides are toxic to both rural and urban workers regardless of their age and gender. For a comprehensive assessment of pesticides' toxic effects on the environment and human health, more robust research is needed. Despite this, healthcare professionals can use the research findings to identify pesticide health impacts and make informed clinical decisions.

Abstract

Brazil is among the biggest pesticide consumers in the world, with its population severely exposed to tons of such substances, both because of environmental contamination and occupational use. The health consequences of pesticide exposure are well-documented, but still sparse regarding Brazilian population. This study systematically reviewed the Brazilian studies published that address the relationship between exposure to pesticides and health problems in the Brazilian population. Also, information about pesticide use in Brazil is provided. The included studies showed that exposure to pesticides has a relevant impact on the health of the Brazilian population, regardless of age and gender, and on workers in rural areas or not. Most poisoning events seem to result from the continuous use of pesticides, whether occupationally or environmentally, characterizing a public health problem. The major consequences reported in literature were damage to the central nervous system, cancer, deleterious effects on rural workers' health, intoxications, malformations, and endocrine changes. These findings point out the need to understand the impact of chronic exposure to pesticides on severely exposed people and highlight the importance of creating public policies to protect them and avoid disease occurrence.

Address: Grupo de Estudos Avançados em Ciências da Saúde (GEACS), Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Estadual Do Oeste Do Paraná, Francisco Beltrão, Brazil.; Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Aplicadas à Saúde, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Estadual Do Oeste Do Paraná, Francisco Beltrão, Brazil.; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Geografia, Universidade Estadual Do Oeste Do Paraná (Unioeste), Francisco Beltrão, Brazil.

DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.787438