Inputs of heavy metals due to agrochemical use in tobacco fields in Brazil’s Southern Region

Abstract

Only a few studies have assessed the joint incorporation of heavy metals into agricultural systems based on the range of agrochemicals used on a specific agricultural crop. This study was conducted to assess the heavy metals input through application of the main agrochemicals used in Brazilian tobacco fields. A total of 56 samples of different batches of 5 fertilizers, 3 substrates, 8 insecticides, 3 fungicides, 2 herbicides, and 1 growth regulator commonly used in the cultivation of tobacco in Brazil's Southern Region were collected from 3 warehouses located in the States of Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, and Paraná. The total As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn content of the samples was then determined and compared with the regulations of different countries and information found in the available literature. The fertilizers were identified as the primary source of heavy metals among the agrochemicals used. Application of pesticides directly to the shoots of tobacco plants contributed very little to the supply of heavy metals. The agrochemicals used in Brazilian tobacco fields provide lower inputs of the main heavy metals that are nonessential for plants than those registered in the international literature for the majority of crop fields in different regions of the world.

Metal Content of Nutritional and Toxic Value in Different Types of Brazilian Propolis

“…Divan et al [35] showed that Baccharis dracunculifolia, one of the sources of resin collection for the production of brown propolis [23], has a moderate capacity to accumulate Cd, transforming this plant into a possible source of contamination. e presence of Cd in this sample may be related to the use of agricultural supplies, such as fungicides, in plantations in Santa Catarina state [34]. Sattler et al [31] analysed the presence of several toxic metals, among them is Cd, in different pollen samples (apicultural products originated from different botanical sources, such as propolis) from the state of Rio Grande do Sul, in Brazil.…”

“…Both samples are of brown type and came from the Southern Santa Catarina State. Zoffoli et al [34]analysed the presence of heavy metals in tobacco fields in Brazil's Southern Region, including Santa Catarina state, and showed that the use of fertilizers is a major source of arsenic, as well as other metals not essential for plants. us, possible agricultural activities in the collection areas of propolis or in regions within the bee flying spectrum may be associated with the presence of As in the samples.…”

In Vitro Studies on Pesticide-Induced Oxidative DNA Damage

“…The metal ions present in some pesticides and fertilizers (20) may interfere with DNA repair and produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to oxidative damage (6). The pesticide-metal ion-DNA associations might contribute to genotoxicity.…”

Telomere measurement in individuals occupationally exposed to pesticide mixtures in tobacco fields

“…Fertilizers are considered the primary source of heavy metals and inorganic elements, especially phosphorus, among pesticides used in tobacco fields in Brazil's Southern Region. Fungicides used for this crop (e.g., mancozeb) possess levels of Mn, Ni, and Zn that are above the ideal [Zoffoli et al, ]. Occupational and environmental exposures to inorganic compounds such as As, Cl, Zn, P, among others, are classified as hazardous to human health, and are present in pesticides used in tobacco crops (e.g., glyphosate, flumetralin, clomazone, and imidacloprid).…”