AVALIAÇÃO E REFLEXOS DA COMERCIALIZAÇÃO E UTILIZAÇÃO DE AGROTÓXICOS NA REGIÃO DO SUBMÉDIO DO VALE DO SÃO FRANCISCO

Abstract

The use of agrotoxics in high quantities and varieties, contributes to the occurrence of damage to human and environmental health. The São Francisco Valley region is one of the main areas for the utilization of irrigated hortifloriculture in Brazil. More than half of its population economically active is employed in agriculture. Due to the increase in the quantity of agrotoxics used for planting in irrigated locations, the utilization without proper control represents a real situation for environmental contamination and human exposure to these substances. The purpose of this study is to identify and classify the main agrotoxics commercialized in the cities of Petrolina, PE and Juazeiro, BA. 108 agrotoxics were found, classified in 71 active groups and 44 chemical groups. In this region, the sales agents’ lack of preparation, in regards to the products, and the lack of regulation in their commercialization are evident. Within the group of agrotoxics, 56% are classified as pesticides, 44% are classified as extremely dangerous to the environment, and 18% as extremely dangerous to the population. This situation demands for greater regulation in the utilization of these chemical products for the protection of the local population and the environment, as well as for reflections in the organization of local worker integrated health services for sanitary surveillance and assistance.