Uso de agrotóxicos e impactos econômicos sobre a saúde

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:To estimate the externalities associated with acute poisoning from pesticides. METHODS:The probabilities of acute poisoning were estimated according to characteristics of rural properties and cities in the state of Paraná, Southern Brazil. Information about acute poisoning obtained from the 1998-1999 Harvest Forecast Survey was used. The expected costs with poisoning in these properties were calculated from the sum of medical-hospital expenses and days spent on sick leaves, required for the recovery of intoxicated individuals. A multilevel model was constructed for the analysis. RESULTS:The costs associated with acute poisoning can total up to US$ 149 million for the state of Paraná, i.e. for each dollar spent to purchase pesticides in this state, approximately US$ 1.28 may be spent with the external costs of poisoning. This situation could be changed with the implementation of public policies, such as the adoption of an organic agriculture promotion program in the cities where the social cost with acute poisoning could be reduced by approximately US$ 25 million. CONCLUSIONS:Society, especially the populations mainly affected by pesticides, could be benefi ted by the identifi cation and elimination of the risks of acute intoxication associated with the current model. It is necessary to implement public policies and integrated actions that involve the fi elds of economics, public health, agronomy, environmental issues, education, and science and technology, among others.

Labor migration, externalities and ethics: Theorizing the meso-level determinants of HIV vulnerability

“…Work on coal mining, for example (e.g., Epstein et al, 2011; or Saha, Pattanayak, Sills and Singha, 2011) has emphasized population-level impacts rather than worker health, despite mining being one of the world’s most dangerous occupations (Hambly, 2012). Exceptions exist: a review of externalities associated with pesticide use included the costs of harm to worker health, as well as the impact on agricultural productivity and the environment (Soares & de Souza Porto, 2012). Even there, however, concern about health externalities for workers is sometimes absent; a recent meta-analysis of the health impacts of organic produce which received substantial coverage in the popular press focused on nutrition and cancer risk for the consumer, making no mention of the impact on workers of the pesticide exposure associated with typical industrial agriculture (Chang, 2012; Smith-Spangler et al, 2012).…”

Peatland as a natural sink for pesticides from no-till systems in subtropical climate

“…Many epigenetic changes may be triggered by the effect of pesticides on human health (Haarstad and Braskerud, 2003;Milhome et al, 2009;Soares et al, 2011).…”

Spatial variability of Regosol chemical atributes in guava management with neem under semi-arid conditions

“…With adequate irrigation and phytosanitary management, the orchards may reach yields higher than 40 t ha -1 ; however, half of this yield has been reported in the country. The concern about the use of agrochemicals, not only for the risks to humans and the environment, but also for the increments in production costs (Soares & Porto, 2012), has stimulated the search for more sustainable management alternatives, such as the incorporation of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) cake to the soil.…”