Ecotoxicology of agrochemicals used in valle de Santiago Guanajuato, Mexico

Abstract

The application of pesticides in the agricultural sector represents multiple benefits such as pest and disease control, however, their application entails risks to the environment and the health of people, which can be accidental or due to improper handling. Therefore, this work focuses on the qualitative determination of the ecotoxicology of pesticides used by seasonal farmers in the Municipality of Valle de Santiago. Information on the most commonly used pesticides in the study area was collected through surveys of seasonal agricultural producers and the main points of sale for agrochemicals. The registry of commercial products with the Federal Commission for Protection against Sanitary Risks in Mexico was consulted to verify the active ingredient and its registered use. The environmental impact of the active ingredient was estimated based on a qualitative matrix to determine total ecotoxicology. The use of pesticides in the study area registered a total of 19 products, of which six are insecticides, 12 are herbicides, and one fungicide. The qualitative estimation of the total ecotoxicology of the active ingredients contained in the pesticides shows that the highest value is possessed by insecticides and to a lesser extent by herbicides.