Pesticide use and economic impacts on health

To estimate the externalities associated with acute poisoning from pesticides. 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 Harves...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Revista de saúde pública 2012-04, Vol.46 (2), p.209
Main Authors: Soares, Wagner Lopes, Porto, Marcelo Firpo de Souza
Format: Article
Language:eng ; por
Subjects:
Agricultural Workers' Diseases - economics
Brazil - epidemiology
Health Care Costs - statistics & numerical data
Humans
Logistic Models
Multilevel Analysis
Occupational Exposure - adverse effects
Occupational Exposure - economics
Pesticides - economics
Pesticides - poisoning
Risk Factors
Rural Health
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Summary:To estimate the externalities associated with acute poisoning from pesticides. 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. 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. Society, especially the populations mainly affected by pesticides, could be benefited by the identification 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 fields of economics, public health, agronomy, environmental issues, education, and science and technology, among others.
ISSN:1518-8787
DOI:10.1590/S0034-89102012005000006